I am going to share a small piece of early American history with you. We are right outside Fort Frederica National Monument on St Simons Island, Georgia. Christ Church is here. Christ Church is an Episcopal church. However, the preacher who started this church was none other than Charles Wesley founder of the Methodist. Now mind you this was back in 1736 when James Oglethorpe and a group of English colonists settled on St Simons Island and constructed Fort Frederica.

From March 9 to May 12, 1736, Charles Wesley, secretary to James Oglethorpe, was Anglican cleric to the founders of Fort Frederica. His stern discipline earned disfavor among the colonists and Oglehorpe. John Wesley, religious leader to the colony of Georgia, visited Charles in April 1736, preaching in the storehouse. Charles returned to England. John ministered to the Fredericans in four trips before leaving "with an utter despair of doing good there" on January 26, 1773.

After John's return to England, in May 1738 the brothers had "heart warming experiences" and later founded the Methodist movement.

Plaque commemorating "The Wesley Oak" where Charles Wesley had prayers and preached in 1736.

This plaque and Christ Church is located just outside the entrance to Fort Frederica National Monument.

Christ Church St Simons Island, Georgia

This building was erected in 1884. It is located just outside the gates to Fort Frederica National Monument on St Simons Island, Georgia.

Note that this building was constructed 20-years after the Civil War.

The first church services were held here in 1736 so this was not the first church on this site.