United Methodist Church in Norway | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Classification | Protestantism |
Orientation | Methodism |
Polity | Connexionalism |
Bishop | Christian Alsted |
Associations | Christian Council of Norway |
Region | Norway |
Headquarters | Oslo, Norway |
Origin | 11 September 1856 |
Branched from | United Methodist Church |
Congregations | 46 |
Members | 10,684 |
Official website | metodistkirken.no |
United Methodist Church in Norway (Norwegian: Metodistkirken i Norge) is an annual meeting of the United Methodist Church covering Norway. It consists of 46 congregations and had 10,684 members in 2014.
Norway's first Methodist was Ole Peter Petersen, past of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He moved to Fredrikstad in 1849, resulting in the first congregations, Sarpsborg and Halden, being established in 1856. At first concentrated around the Oslofjord, the Methodist Church experienced a major expansion during the 1870 through 1890. Thereafter it entered a consolidation phase, especially related to diaconal activities. From the 1900s growth was hindered through the popularity of Pentecostalism.