Captain Thomas Webb
Thomas Webb (1724-1796) was the founder of St. George's in Philadelphia. A Captain in the British army, Webb lost his eye after being shot during The Battle of Louisberg (1758). Webb returned to England and became a Methodist after listening to sermons by John Wesley. Webb found success as a circuit preacher in England before he returned to America with the British army. Stationed in Albany, New York, Webb opened a prayer house with British soldiers where Webb would preach in his red coat, carrying his sword. Webb founded St. George's in 1767 and preached there until John Wesley sent Methodist itinerants from Britain two years later. By his death Webb was one of the biggest reasons for the spread of Methodism in America. St. George's was the first Methodist house of worship to be called a church.
Joseph Pilmore (Pilmoor)
Joseph Pilmore (1739-1825) traveled to see John Wesley speak in England in 1769 and was so inspired he converted to Methodism. Pilmore worked with Wesley spreading Methodism in England before being dispatched overseas by Wesley. He established the Sunday School Association of America and appointed the first female teacher to head the group. Pilmoor was responsible for the spread of Methodism in America and helped establish Philadelphia's St. George's as a beacon of Methodism in the new world.