Wilderness Period

The Wilderness Period refers to a phase in the history of the early Methodist movement, roughly from 1791 to 1808, when the church faced internal disagreements and leadership struggles. During this time, Methodist societies in America experienced instability, a decline in organization, and challenges in maintaining unity and growth. It was a time of transition before the church restructured and strengthened its foundations. Essentially, the Wilderness Period was a challenging, formative stage that tested and ultimately helped shape the future direction of Methodism in the U.S.