Methodist Church in Brazil

The Methodist Church in Brazil was founded by American missionaries in 1867.

The Methodist Episcopal Church in the US brought Methodism to Brazil in 1835; however, missionaries left in 1841 due to lack of funding. Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church (South) returned in 1867 with a view to preaching to Confederate expatriates who had settled in Brazil at the close of the American Civil War. By 1880 the church included Brazilian members and pastors.[https://bridwell.omeka.net/exhibits/show/virtualreal/lantern/church Southern Methodist University (Bridwell Library) website]

The church became autonomous in 1930. In 1934 Cesar Dacorso was elected as the first Brazilian bishop.[https://www.umc.org/en/content/dacorso-cesar-filho-1892-1966 United Methodist Communications website]

In 2013, it had 400,000 members.[https://www.oikoumene.org/news/brazilian-methodists-reaffirm-commitment-to-mission-and-discipleship World Council of Churches website]

In 2023, the head of the church is Bishop Adonias Pereira do Lago.[https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/our-work-worldwide/global-relationships/partner-churches-and-organisations/global-partners/caribbean-the-americas/brazil/ Methodist Church UK website]