Unsung Heroes of Methodism: James Varick

We’ve all heard the names John and Charles Wesley, but there are a lot of other important names in the history of Methodism you may not know. The Unsung Heroes of Methodism series tells the stories of lesser-known figures whose lives and witness still impact The United Methodist Church today, even if their names aren’t familiar to us.

Bishop James Varick was a dynamic preacher, a steadfast advocate for abolition and civil rights and a founding leader of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AMEZ) Church.

Born in New York in 1750, little is known about Varick’s early life. His father, Richard Varick, was a Black freedman, but the identity of his mother—whether free or enslaved—remains unknown. As a child, Varick attended school and trained as a shoemaker.[1]

In 1766, Varick began attending services at John Street Methodist Church, the oldest Methodist congregation in America (see article on Barbara Heck). The church attracted both Black and white members but enforced racial segregation, including requiring Black congregants to take communion only after all white members made come forth.[2] Varick became a lay preacher, though his ministry was limited to Black members.[3]

Frustrated by their second-class treatment, Varick and other Black members left in 1796 to form their own congregation. Initially meeting in a rented house, they raised enough funds within four years to purchase land and build their own church—Zion. Known as "Mother Zion," it became the first African American-led congregation in New York City.[4]

Varick and his congregation initially sought to remain part of the Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC). However, church policies prevented him and other lay preachers from receiving a salary, forcing him to support himself through shoemaking and tobacco cutting. Though ordained as a deacon in 1806, he and his congregation were still reliant on white elders to administer sacraments.[5]

Turning down proposals to join the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church founded by Richard Allen in Philadelphia, the Mother Zion congregation ultimately declared independence. On September 13, 1820, Varick and Abraham Thompson were ordained as full elders, formally establishing what would become the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. By then, Zion had planted several new congregations across New York and New England.[6]

In 1821, the newly formed AMEZ Church held its first conference, electing Varick as its general superintendent—a title later changed to bishop. Alongside his pastoral duties, Varick was a vocal advocate for African American rights. His sermons denounced slavery, and he established a school for Black children. He also helped launch Freedom’s Journal, the first African American-owned newspaper in the U.S., and petitioned for Black voting rights in New York State.[7]

Varick lived to witness New York’s abolition of slavery in 1827—a milestone celebrated at Mother Zion. Soon after, he passed away at his home. His legacy endured in the AMEZ Church, which became known as the "Freedom Church" for its unwavering fight against slavery. The denomination played a key role in the Underground Railroad, counting Harriet Tubman and other conductors among its members.