John Stewart, a black man, came to the Wyandots in 1816 on a call from God.
This was the first Methodist Mission in America.
We celebrated this event with a 3-day celebration to be held October 21, 22 & 23, 2016
There were the events planned for each day.
This was the first Methodist Mission in America.
We celebrated this event with a 3-day celebration to be held October 21, 22 & 23, 2016
There were the events planned for each day.
John Stewart, Missionary
200 Years Since Coming
Among the Ohio Wyandots
1816--‐2016
Bicentennial Observation
Schedule of Events
Native American Days
October 21, 22 & 23, 2016
Among the earliest descriptions of John Stewart and his work among the Wyandots is found printed in the 1820 publication of The Methodist Magazine, Vol. III. Submitted by Rev. James B. Finley, this impression gives a testimony to the character of a Godly man:
“Steward is the man of colour, who, under God, has been the principal instrument of this work. He was free born. Can read very well, and write - is a man of a meek and humble mind. He lives with the Indians; and they have the utmost confidence in him.”
Because of the unique relationship that was created at Upper Sandusky in the connection of the Methodist Episcopal Church, two acres of cemetery and the Mission Church were declared in 1960 as a National Shrine of the Methodist Church. After the merger of the Methodist Church and the United Brethren Church in 1968, creating the United Methodist Church, the property has continued to be held in trust for the Wyandot people and is listed among forty-six national landmark properties of the denomination. Additional information can be found at:
http://gcah.org/research/wyandott-
indian-mission
Bargaining with God while feeling that he was surely on his deathbed, John Stewart promised God that he would give the rest of his life in service. He got better. He changed his mind, but God didn’t.
Shortly after, while out praying one day, he heard a voice—a woman’s voice, praising God. He then heard a man’s voice, saying, “You must declare my counsel faithfully.” The voices seemed to come from the northwest. With a knapsack in hand, he set out in obedience to the call of God from Marietta on the Ohio River.
Sometimes by road, sometimes through the forest, Mr. Stewart made his way northwest to Holmes. He came upon some Delawares, but after a couple of days and after a strong temptation to turn back, he pressed on until he came to the banks of the upper Sandusky River. Here his journey began in earnest among the Wyandots in early November 1816.
Today, there are no known confirmed Wyandot descendants living in the area. The cemetery and Mission Church, once a part of the Grand Reserve, have been kept in preservation in trust for the Wyandot people since 1843, when federal government policy dictated their removal to territories west of the Mississippi River.
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To make contributions to the perpetual care fund, make checks payable to John Stewart Methodist Church with
“Mission Church PC Fund”
written in the memo line.
John Stewart Methodist Church
130 West Johnson Street
P.O. Box 333
Upper Sandusky, Ohio 43351
