TheMethodist Recorder is an independentweekly newspaper that examines events and current affairs within theMethodist community in Britain and worldwide. It has been published continuously since 1861, absorbing its major rivals theWatchman in 1883, theUnited Methodist in 1932 and theMethodist Times in 1937.[1]
The newspaper was founded in 1861 at the initiative of six Wesleyan Methodist ministers: James Pond Dunn, Charles Garett,George T. Perks,William Morley Punshon, Gervase Smith and Luke Hoult Wiseman.[2] Punschon was the first editor.[2]
On 13 February 1992 theRecorder published its 7,000th edition, and the following year published its firstApril Fools' Day joke, claiming that there would be a "complete standardisation of Methodist worship" which would requirelocal preachers to wear a "uniform" and be trained in clowning and juggling.[1]
In 2010 theRecorder revamped its design and began to be published in full-colour. Its circulation was estimated at 20,000.[3]
Although not available online, theRecorder maintains a basic website offering subscription details and a brief outline of the newspaper's contents.[4] A full archive in both bound copies andmicrofilm is available from the Methodist Studies Unit of the formerWestminster College, Oxford, now part ofOxford Brookes University.[5] Public access is free of charge (by prior appointment) and a small charge is made for reproduction.
Paul Flowers was a previously art critic for theRecorder, writing the Gallery Notes column.[6]