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Methodism began as a revival movement within the Church of England in the 18th century. Lead by the brothers John and Charles Wesley, it taught a methodical interpretation of Protestantism that stressed salvation was available for all. It separated from the established church in the 1790s but within 30 years it had itself split into Primitive and Wesleyan branches. Gradually these two forms converged until a formal reunification was achieved in 1932. Today it has about 80 million adherents worldwide.

The Church of England (or C of E as it is known) is the established church of England. It renounced papal authority in 1534. The distinct brand of Christianity that evolved from this split is known as Anglicanism. The monarchy of the United Kingdom is still its Supreme Governor and the Archbishop of Canterbury its chief minister. It is is also the mother church of the international Anglican Communion, of which there are now 41 branches. Some have only one province while the most numerous (Nigeria) has 14!