Methodism in Lerwick began with a meeting for sailors in Fox Lane.

The first Methodist preaching was in 1822 and the original society of 18 formed by the Rev. Samuel Dunn began in an unidentified rented room on Thursday 6th February 1823.

The first Chapel was on Mounthooly Street. The site being purchased on July 16th 1823 and the building opened on May 6th 1824 seating 350. There were then 152 members.

The present Hillhead site was aquired on June 14th 1870 and the Feu purchased subsequently.

The church named after Adam Clarke was opened in May 1872 seating 500.

Storms have affected the building over the years and a major refurbishment was undertaken following the hurricane of the 1st January 1992.

The church was reopened on Saturday 26th March 1994.

Who was Adam Clarke?

Adam Clarke is revered as the "Nursing Father" of Shetland Methodism. The pioneers in the field were the Revs. John Raby and Samuel Dunn, but Adam Clarke was the general overseer and provider.

He was born at Moybeg in Co. Londonderry in 1760 and converted when 19. In 1782 he became one of Mr. Wesley's Helpers in the Wiltshire Circuit and the following year he was appointed to the Channel Islands as the youngest of Wesley's itinerant preachers. He became a competent language and Biblical scholar and was honoured by University and used by Government.

He served in Bristol, Dublin, Manchester, Liverpool and London and when John Wesley died in 1791 he was instrumental in holding together the largest body of Methodists.

He was elected President of the Wesleyan Conference three times, in 1806, 1814 and 1822.

It was during his 1822 Presidency that he concentrated on funding the Shetland Mission and in 1826 and 1828 he visited Shetland.

In 1826 the visit was from Saturday 17th June to Thursday 6th July. On the Sunday he preached in Lerwick from Luke 11:9  "Ask and ye shall receive..." and on Tuesday from Colossians 1.28 justifying the Methodist Mission to Shetland and the Arminian message. He also visited Scalloway and Walls.

The 1828 visit began on Saturday 21st June and on the Sunday he preached three times in the Lerwick Church spending the rest of the week distributing clothing to the poor.

He had chartered the sailing ship "Henry" to bring him to Shetland and continued his visit circumnavigating the Islands calling at Whalsay; Burravoe (Yell) June 28- July 01;

Uyea; Baltasound(Unst) July 03-07;

Norwick; Haroldswick on July 06;

Papa Stour; Walls -July 08,10;

Vaila; Foula returning to Lerwick on July 13 from whence he sailed south on the 17th July.

All this when he was in his late sixties!

Almost the last act Adam Clarke undertook before he died was to write pleading for help for Shetland widows. In July 1832 there were disastrous storms and Methodism lost 110 men at sea. Such was the man!

On August 26th 1832 aged 71 years Adam Clarke died a victim of cholera.

Forty years later when the church in Lerwick was opened it was fittingly named in memory of him.

The stained glass windows.

The south window (to the left of the organ as you face the organ) is in memory of the Rev. William Goudie, born at Channerwick in 1857. He served from 1882 until 1906 in India in the Madras District and was distinguished as a missionary leader and thinker. He was designated President of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference but died before he could take up the office in 1922.

The north window (to the right of the organ as you face the organ) is in memory of the Rev. Dr. Frederick Luke Wiseman (1858-1944), a former President of the Wesleyan(1912) and Methodism(1933) Conferences.

As Connexional Home Mission Secretary from 1913 he is remembered as one "who did much for Shetland Methodism"

Portrait of Adam Clarke

In the Vestry hangs an engraved portrait of Adam Clarke when about 27 years of age. He is in characteristic dress of the itinerant Methodist preacher prescribed by John Wesley. The portrait was presented by Adam Clarke to the Rev. James Loutil in 1830 who in turn presented it to the Lerwick Church for display in the Vestry.

The Lectern.

The lectern bears the logo of the Shetland District, the ancient Papil Cross, the original being displayed in the Museum.

The Pulpit Fall made by Nina Herning.(originally from Kazan, Russia)

The Greek word    ΙΧΘΥΣ   'fish'   was an early Christian acronym meaning "Jesus Christ. Son of God, Saviour".

The rays emanating from YAHWEH give light and warmth to the universe.

The Large Frieze

The large frieze at the rear of the main church was made from natural fabrics by the first Special Unit at Bells Brae School and presented to this Church in the 1980's.

The Pipe Organ

Methodists with Shetland Connections.