Background of James Caughey’s Ministry
We have already documented several other revivals led by the American Methodist evangelist, James Caughey. We highly recommend reading these accounts chronologically to gain a comprehensive perspective on this man’s ministry:
► 1827-1841 New York & Canada Revivals
► 1841 Ireland Revivals
► 1842 Liverpool England Revival
Evangelist James Caughey
1843 Leeds Revival
After concluding the 1842 Liverpool Revival, Caughey departed that city by train on April 21, 1843. His next ministry destination was the city of Leeds, located 90 miles away, where he would soon experience another powerful revival.
Oxford Place Chapel
On April 23, 1843, Caughey began his work in Leeds at the Oxford Place Chapel, a venue with seating capacity for 2,600.
The meetings at Oxford Place Chapel continued until May 5, during which time Caughey noted:
The congregations were small [in attendance], and only about thirty persons professed to have found peace.
Inside Oxford Place Chapel
After those 13 days, a meeting was convened by the superintendents of the four area circuits of churches. They decided that Caughey should spend 2 weeks at each circuit, visiting them successively.
St. Peter’s Chapel
On May 7, 1843, Caughey began ministering at St. Peter’s Chapel. On that night, 29 people professed their faith in Jesus. The following night, there were 35 who converted to Christ.
The services in this church continued until May 20, resulting in a total of 250 conversions.
Next Ministry Location in Leeds
On May 22, 1843, Caughey began another series of meetings at another church. On the first night, with the church full, 25 made a profession of their faith in Christ.
Despite Caughey struggling with hoarseness, the revival moved forward with power, resulting in 50 conversions during his two weeks at this location.
Brunswick Chapel
On Sunday morning, June 4, 1843, Caughey commenced his next two weeks of ministry at Brunswick Chapel, with 20 conversions occurring the first night. Delighted with the results and witnessing many individuals turning away from their lives of sin, Caughey remarked:
We have not witnessed a single pause in the revival. Sinners are converted, and believers sanctified daily.
On the final night at Brunswick Chapel, a report was presented communicating the number of those who had been saved or sanctified during the two weeks, and the number reached approximately 600.
Back at Oxford Place Chapel
Caughey received an invitation to return to hold another series of services at Oxford Place Chapel. This four-week series of meetings began on Sunday, July 2, 1843. During the evening service on that day, with 4,000 people present, 25 individuals professed their faith in Christ.
During his April visit to Oxford Place Chapel, the attendance was small, most likely because his notoriety had not yet spread throughout the community and the region.
During this second visit to the church, which was the largest Methodist chapel in the world at that time, seating 2,600, the attendance had greatly increased. On Sunday nights, the building was so full that some had to be turned away.
The results of the four weeks at Oxford Place Chapel included 300 people making a profession of their faith in Christ.
Oxford Place Chapel
Opposition to Revival
Despite his tremendous success, Caughey’s preaching was not universally accepted by some ministers. These men had numerous objections to his sermon delivery, style, and content. Most of the criticism revolved around their desire for a more orderly service with sermons that contained greater doctrinal content. They also disapproved of his fervent sermons on the Lake of Fire.
Some of the services were indeed lively, with occasional shouts of “Hallelujah” erupting. Caughey did not prohibit the expression of these joy-filled emotions, and this was one of the reasons some ministers disapproved, as they desired more decorum both in the pulpit and among the congregational members.
Oxford Place Chapel today: renovated in 1896
St. Peter’s Chapel
On the last Sunday in July 1843, Caughey returned to St. Peter’s Chapel, which was nearly the same size as Oxford Place Chapel (2,600 seats). During the two weeks at this location, there were an additional 200 conversions.
Results of the Leeds Revival
Through Caughey’s ministry efforts in Leeds, over 1,600 people converted to Christ.
Retreat in Europe
Following his ministry in Leeds, Caughey departed on September 13, 1843, for Rotterdam, Holland, where he embarked on a tour of several European nations. After returning to England in the autumn of 1843, he initiated the 1843 Hull, England Revival in the city of Hull.
Primary Sources
► Dictionary of Canadian Biography; Caughey, James by Peter Bush
► Dictionary of Evangelical Biography 1730-1860; Caughey, James by Richard John Carwardine
► Earnest Christianity by James Caughey
► Methodism in Earnest: The History of a Revival in Great Britain, in Which 20,000 Souls Professed Faith in Christ, and 10,000 Professed Sanctification by James Caughey
Secondary Sources
► Arrows from My Quiver by James Caughey
► Glimpses of Life in Soul-Saving by James Caughey
► Helps to a Life of Holiness and Usefulness by James Caughey
► Letters on Various Subjects by James Caughey
► Sermons & Devotionals by James Caughey by bibleportal.com
► Showers of Blessing from Clouds of Mercy by James Caughey
► The Life of General William Booth by Harold Begbie
► The Standing Doubt by James Caughey
► The Teachings of Holy Scriptures on Some Points in the Doctrines of Repentance, Faith, and Prayer by James Caughey
► The Triumph of Truth by James Caughey
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Chet & Phyllis Swearingen:
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