Taking Heaven by Storm

Following the Revolutionary War, American Methodism grew at an astonishing rate, rising from fewer than 1000 members in 1770 to over 250,000 by 1820. John H. Wigger seeks to explain the puzzle of this remarkable growth, offering a provocative reassessment of the role of popular religion in American life. Wigger argues that in the post-Revolutionary years Methodism's style, tone, and agenda worked their way deep into the fabric of American life, influencing all other mass religious movements that would follow, and many facets of American life not directly connected to the church as well.

Following the Revolutionary War, American Methodism grew at an astonishing rate, rising from fewer than 1000 members in 1770 to over 250,000 by 1820. John H. Wigger seeks to explain the puzzle of this remarkable growth, offering a provocative reassessment of the role of popular religion in American life. Wigger argues that in the post-Revolutionary years Methodism's style, tone, and agenda worked their way deep into the fabric of American life, influencing all other mass religious movements that would follow, and many facets of American life not directly connected to the church as well.