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Hugh Bourne was born at Fordhayes, Stoke on Trent in 1772.

He originally followed the Wesleyan form of service but later recognised that these sermons were out-dated and bored the people. Bourne recognised that people had no interest in the Church; a change was needed.

He reformed the procedure of Methodist services by conducting them outside rather than in a building. He brought people back to nature, out in the open, where their God could see them praising the Lord. Why should they be confined to a dull, constructed building which did nothing for the spreading of the word?

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Stoke faith presenter Lamont Howie discusses Bourne's original expulsion from the Wesleyan Methodists with the Reverend Stephen Hatcher from Englesea Brook Heritage Centre and Church...

New way of preaching

His new way of preaching gave him a prominent part in founding what is known as Primitive Methodism and brought people back to the church. A revival was needed and this could not happen with the old fashioned method of preaching to the masses.

What makes this man great was his contribution to the spreading of the Christian faith. What particularly disturbed him was what he saw as a lack of morality in society.

On June 12th 1801 Bourne gave his first open air sermon on a field. He received massive support and popularity. He then later organised an outside service on the Mow Cop hill, which is on the Staffordshire/Cheshire border.

There were confession of sins, singing and praying. It was regarded as a definite acknowledgement of the power of Jesus Christ working in peoples lives. The next outside service started on 19th July 1807 and didn't finish until the following Tuesday!

Growth of Primitive Methodism

The growth of Primitive Methodism in England encouraged Bourne to establish this new following. In 1811 Bourne and his brother founded the first Chapel of the body in Tunstall, in Stoke on Trent.

When he died, he was buried in the Englesea Brook chapel, which is in a little Staffordshire village, and just south of Crewe. There is a museum there now.

Despite his zeal and contribution to bringing people back to Christianity he was expelled by the Methodist Society. His outside services were seen as " setting up other than ordinary worship" and he was removed from the Methodist Circle.

Even though this was a set back, membership grew by the thousands. In 1860 there were 650 Ministers, 11,304 local preachers and over 100,000 members. Overseas missions were also set up.

Zoe Sailsman

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A Faithful Man

The Reverend Stephen Hatcher, Director of the Engelsea Brook Methodist Museum, near Crewe, reflects here on the heritage of Hugh Bourne...

The 27th June is the anniversary of a very significant event in Methodist history.
A decision made by the Burslem Wesleyan Circuit Quarterly Meeting on 27 June 1808 would have implications that would last for the next 124 years.ÌýÌý That decision was to put Hugh Bourne ‘out of the old Methodist society’.ÌýÌý Hugh Bourne was expelled.

One of the main reasons was that Hugh Bourne had organised open air meetings called ‘camp meetings’ÌýÌýÌý The first of these was held at Mow Cop on 31 May 1807, and others had followed.ÌýÌýÌýÌý It was clear that he wasn’t going to stop.ÌýÌý If people like William Clowes and James Steele also refused to follow the party line then they too would suffer the same fate.

So the first expulsion – that of Hugh Bourne was a most significant event.ÌýÌý 124 years would pass before in 1932 Methodism would be united again.

However what was really positive was the fact that Hugh Bourne was a man of deep conviction.ÌýÌý He would be faithful those living in spiritual destitution in North Staffordshire and South Cheshire and outside of any church.ÌýÌýÌýÌý Bourne would stand by the coal miners, potters and labourers looking to him for spiritual direction –whatever the cost to himself personally.ÌýÌýÌý They received spiritual help in abundance!

Today the Methodist Church is faithful to Hugh Bourne.ÌýÌý
The Mow Cop Methodist Church has been transformed.ÌýÌý
Englesea Brook Chapel has become a heritage and outreach centre.ÌýÌý
The name of Hugh Bourne’s home ‘Bemersley’ lives on at the Methodist Book Centre on Gitana Street.ÌýÌý
The home of the chair of the Chester and Stoke on Trent Methodist District has even been named ‘Bemersley’.ÌýÌý
The local Methodist Home for the Aged is called ‘Claybourne’.ÌýÌýÌý

Hugh Bourne the man - faithful to his people has been honoured.

Stephen Hatcher (Rev)

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This is a selection of comments that we have received on the messageboard about Hugh Bourne.

hugh bourne
Hi _ i am researching the Bourne family on the Cheshire/Staffs area and as I understand it, Hugh never married but had a brother James. I am led to believe from my family that Hugh Bourne was somehow related to Thomas and Mary Bourne who maried at wybunbury in 1826 and had several children,on eof whom was a son james born in 1837 - one of my descendants.
However, I am trying to ascertain a link between Hugh Bouren and my James Bourne, born in 1837 and was wondering if you have any leads in this direction. Any help would be appreciated.
Caroline Wood, Leominster