John Wesley Monument

The John Wesley Monument.

NPS/J. Irving

Quick Facts

Location:

Cockspur Island, Georgia

Amenities

1 listed

Wheelchair Accessible

During the colonial era, Cockspur Island was known as Peeper Island, a small, uninhabited piece of marsh mud barely noticeable to those traveling to Savannah. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism in America, stopped here in 1735 to preach his first sermon on American soil.

Wesley traveled from England to America, invited by James Oglethorpe, the founder of Savannah. His journey was fraught with challenges, including a harrowing storm that tested his faith, contrasting with the calm Moravians aboard. In America, Wesley's strict approach alienated many, and his infatuation with a woman who married someone else led to further conflict, culminating in his decision to return to England after two years.

Despite his frustrations, Wesley significantly impacted American Christianity, as Methodism remains a large Protestant sect today. In 1950, the John Wesley Memorial, a concrete cross on an 8-foot brick column, was dedicated on the northeastern part of Cockspur Island, inscribed with reflections from Wesley's journal about his 1736 landing.
 

“…about eight in the morning I first set foot on American ground. It was a small uninhabited island...over against Tybee, called by the English Peeper Island. Mr. Oglethorpe led us through the mooring land on the shore to a rising ground,...chose an open place surrounded with myrtles, bays, and cedars, which sheltered us from the sun and wind, and called our little flock together to prayers."

• John Wesley Ranger Talk

  
  

  Listen to a park ranger talk about this tour stop.

  Credit / Author:

  NPS/Blewett

  Date created:

  07/01/2020

  Audio Transcript

  During the colonial era of our country's history, what we know today as Cockspur Island was called Peeper Island. It was a small slice of land that just peeped a little ways out of the water, hardly noticeable by those who made their way to Savannah. Simply put, Peeper, or Cockspur, Island was an uninhabited island of marsh mud. Anyone who made their way to the port city of Savannah via the Savannah River navigated right past this island. This included notable people such as James Oglethorpe, George Whitefield, Button Gwinnett, Nathaniel Greene, and in 1735, John Wesley, founder of Methodism in America. John Wesley did not merely sail past Peeper Island but made a stop here on his way to Savannah. It is this island where he would preach his first sermon on American soil.

  John Wesley made his way to America from England with a zeal for preaching the Word and saving souls. He was invited in part by the famous historical figurehead James Oglethorpe. From the moment John Wesley stepped aboard the ship headed for America, he spent the whole of his American journey in much frustration. En route to America, the ship hit severe weather causing Wesley to fear for his life. He observed a group of Moravians who weathered the storm calmly, even singing songs of praise. Confusion set in for Wesley, perhaps even questioning his own faith. Once in America, Wesley's strict churchmanship tended to push more people away than attract them to Methodism. Unable to reach people as he had hoped, Wesley's frustration grew. Adding insult to injury, he became very fond of a particular lady who did not return the same feelings. When she married another man, Wesley banned her from Holy Communion causing further outrage and opposition from colonists. Further disillusioned, John Wesley fled back to England after just two short years in the colony of Georgia. Despite his feelings of failure, John Wesley left an indelible mark on America. The Methodist church remains one of the largest sects of Protestant Christianity in America today.

  The John Wesley Memorial was erected and dedicated here, on a northeastern portion of the island, in 1950 by the Georgia Society of the Colonial Dames of America. It is a concrete cross that sits atop an 8-foot column of brick. Inscribed on the memorial are words from Wesley’s journal recounting his 1736 landing here on Cockspur Island:

  “…about eight in the morning I first set foot on American ground. It was a small uninhabited island...over against Tybee, called by the English Peeper Island. Mr. Oglethorpe led us through the mooring land on the shore to a rising ground,...chose an open place surrounded with myrtles, bays, and cedars, which sheltered us from the sun and wind, and called our little flock together to prayers."