Barbara Heck
Encyclopedia
Barbara Heck was an early American Methodist, known as the “mother
of American Methodism.”
who came from the Rhine Palatinate and settled in Ballingrane, County Limerick and other parts of the west County Limerick about 1708. She married Paul Heck, a member of the same community. By the preaching of John Wesley
many of these Germans, whose descendants were long afterward known as Palatines in Ireland, became converts to Methodism
.
The Hecks emigrated from Ireland about 1760, and settled in New York, where other Methodists from Ireland became domiciled about the same time. They had no pastor
and grew careless of religious observances. In 1765 they were joined by Philip Embury
, who had been a local preacher in Ireland, and another group of immigrants from Ireland which included her brother Paul Ruckle. Soon after their arrival, Mrs. Heck entered a room in which, according to some accounts, Embury was present, and found the emigrants gambling
at cards
. She seized the cards and threw them into the fire, expostulated with the players in pathetic language, and then went to Embury and charged him that he should preach to them, or God would require their blood at his hands.
In consequence meetings were shortly afterward begun. The first group included the Hecks and their slave, Betty. Eventually the revival included a large number, mostly Irish immigrants and a number of African Americans. Barbara Heck designed the simple chapel at John Street which represented the groups first permanent location. As a structure, it post-dated another built elsewhere by Robert Strawbridge
, also an early Methodist.
In 1770, the Hecks went to Camden
Valley.
When the Revolutionary war began, the Hecks moved to Salem
, in northern New York, in order to be among loyalist
s, and founded the first Methodist society in that district. Paul joined the army of Burgoyne
, and, while at home on a furlough
at the time of the surrender
at Saratoga
, was arrested by patriot soldiers, but escaped at night while they slept, and made his way through the woods into Canada
, where he was joined by his wife. They settled in Augusta
, and with others from New York
formed the earliest Methodist society in Canada. Paul died several years before his wife, in the late 18th century.
She was honored by the Office of the Manhattan Borough Presidentin March 2008 and was included in a map of historical sites
related or dedicated to important women.
Mother
A mother, mum, mom, momma, or mama is a woman who has raised a child, given birth to a child, and/or supplied the ovum that grew into a child. Because of the complexity and differences of a mother's social, cultural, and religious definitions and roles, it is challenging to specify a universally...
of American Methodism.”
Biography
Heck was a member of a colony of GermansGermans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
who came from the Rhine Palatinate and settled in Ballingrane, County Limerick and other parts of the west County Limerick about 1708. She married Paul Heck, a member of the same community. By the preaching of John Wesley
John Wesley
John Wesley was a Church of England cleric and Christian theologian. Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, as founding the Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield...
many of these Germans, whose descendants were long afterward known as Palatines in Ireland, became converts to Methodism
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
.
The Hecks emigrated from Ireland about 1760, and settled in New York, where other Methodists from Ireland became domiciled about the same time. They had no pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
and grew careless of religious observances. In 1765 they were joined by Philip Embury
Philip Embury
Philip Embury was a Methodist preacher, a leader of one of the earliest Methodist congregations in the United States.-Biography:...
, who had been a local preacher in Ireland, and another group of immigrants from Ireland which included her brother Paul Ruckle. Soon after their arrival, Mrs. Heck entered a room in which, according to some accounts, Embury was present, and found the emigrants gambling
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
at cards
Playing card
A playing card is a piece of specially prepared heavy paper, thin cardboard, plastic-coated paper, cotton-paper blend, or thin plastic, marked with distinguishing motifs and used as one of a set for playing card games...
. She seized the cards and threw them into the fire, expostulated with the players in pathetic language, and then went to Embury and charged him that he should preach to them, or God would require their blood at his hands.
In consequence meetings were shortly afterward begun. The first group included the Hecks and their slave, Betty. Eventually the revival included a large number, mostly Irish immigrants and a number of African Americans. Barbara Heck designed the simple chapel at John Street which represented the groups first permanent location. As a structure, it post-dated another built elsewhere by Robert Strawbridge
Robert Strawbridge
Robert Strawbridge was a Methodist preacher born in Drumsna, County Leitrim, Ireland.A member of the single Protestant family in the area, he moved first to Sligo, then emigrated to Frederick County, Maryland between 1760 and 1766. He began preaching in Maryland soon after his arrival, making him...
, also an early Methodist.
In 1770, the Hecks went to Camden
Camden, New York
Camden, New York may refer to:* Camden , New York, a township of Oneida County* Camden , New York, a village within Camden township...
Valley.
When the Revolutionary war began, the Hecks moved to Salem
Salem, New York
Salem, New York is the name of two locations in Washington County, New York in the USA:* Salem , New York* Salem , New York...
, in northern New York, in order to be among loyalist
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
s, and founded the first Methodist society in that district. Paul joined the army of Burgoyne
John Burgoyne
General John Burgoyne was a British army officer, politician and dramatist. He first saw action during the Seven Years' War when he participated in several battles, mostly notably during the Portugal Campaign of 1762....
, and, while at home on a furlough
Furlough
In the United States a furlough is a temporary unpaid leave of some employees due to special needs of a company, which may be due to economic conditions at the specific employer or in the economy as a whole...
at the time of the surrender
Surrender (military)
Surrender is when soldiers, nations or other combatants stop fighting and eventually become prisoners of war, either as individuals or when ordered to by their officers. A white flag is a common symbol of surrender, as is the gesture of raising one's hands empty and open above one's head.When the...
at Saratoga
Saratoga, New York
Saratoga is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 5,141 at the 2000 census. It is also the commonly used, but not official, name for the neighboring and much more populous city, Saratoga Springs. The major village in the town of Saratoga is Schuylerville which is...
, was arrested by patriot soldiers, but escaped at night while they slept, and made his way through the woods into Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, where he was joined by his wife. They settled in Augusta
Augusta, Ontario
Augusta is a township in eastern Ontario, Canada, on the Saint Lawrence River in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.-Communities:The township comprises the communities of Algonquin, Bisseltown, Blue Church, Charlieville, Domville, Garretton, Glenmore, Herrons Corners, Lords Mills, Maitland,...
, and with others from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
formed the earliest Methodist society in Canada. Paul died several years before his wife, in the late 18th century.
She was honored by the Office of the Manhattan Borough Presidentin March 2008 and was included in a map of historical sites
Women's Rights Historic Sites
In celebration of Women's History Month in March 2008, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer's Office created a map of important women's rights historic sites on Manhattan...
related or dedicated to important women.