Free Methodist Church is a Christian religious denomination based in the United States. It follows the Methodist teachings of English clergyman John Wesley and the free will doctrine of the Arminians (see Arminianism ). The church was founded in 1860 by ministers and members of the laity who had been excluded from the Genesee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church because they tried to restore historic Wesleyan principles to the church. They believed in simplicity of life and worship; rent-free seats in church; abolition of slavery; and freedom from secret societies. See Methodists .
The church has missionaries around the world and a large membership outside the United States. Its headquarters are in Indianapolis. The church’s official name is the Free Methodist Church–USA.
