The Methodist Church began its life in the ‘field preaching’ of John Wesley in 1739. Thousands of people would gather to hear Wesley preach, and he formed local small groups (‘societies’) to nurture the faith of those who had become converted through personal faith in Christ.
John Wesley always declared that his movement should remain within the Church of England, but the Church was keen to distance itself from him and his followers. Eventually, in 1784 he set up an annual ‘Conference of the People called Methodists‘, to ensure the continuation of the movement. In the end, the strength and impact of Methodism made a separate Methodist Church inevitable.
Methodism in the Reading area was slow to grow however! John Wesley ‘How many years were we beating the air at this town, stretching out our hands to people as stupid as oxen.’ This oft repeated phrase summed up the feelings of John Wesley when he visited the town in 1777.
Our Fellowship dates back almost 200 years. Reverend John Ride was a remarkable evangelist who was locked up in Winchester prison for “holding a missionary meeting” in Micheldever in 1834. Released without any charge he led open air services in Burghfield during the summer of 1835. When the regular congregation of believers grew sufficiently he formed our “Methodist Society” on November 17th 1835.
The fellowship depended on the hospitality of a local wheelwright in less favourable weather. The first Chapel was built in 1838, and was famous for its brass band. Nevertheless, with the extensive building at Burghfield Common, the chapel was too small and our current building in the heart of Burghfield Common was built in 1923. One historian noted that “The Burghfield Common Church… has attracted a loyal and devoted congregation throughout the years of its history. A happy, hospitable place, it has welcomed newcomers… on many occasions.”