Pilmore's suggestion the name was changed to St. George's after the patron Saint of England, who was martyred in the Diocletian Persecution in the year 303. Timeline 1769 October 7 - First Methodist Hymnal published in America; printed at St. George's November 24 - Joseph Pilmore conducts and preaches The Dedication Service and first sermon in this building. St. George's has been in continuous service to God and Methodism ever since. December 3 - Pilmore delivers the rules, statement of faith and principles for American Methodists for the first time. December 8 - The first formal Intercession or Prayer Meeting organized by American Methodists. 1770 March 23 - First Love Feast for Methodists conducted by Pilmore (see cups below) November 1- America's first Watch Night Service December 31- First New Year's Eve Watch Night Service in St. George's, possibly America's first. 1771 October 28- Francis Asbury preaches his first American sermon at St. George's 1773 July 14 - First Conference of American Methodism takes place at St. George's; also the second (May 25, 1774 and third, May 17, 1775) 1775 Thomas Rankin records that many in the Continental Congress came to St. George's to worship, including John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, Dolly Madison and others. 1776 Robert Morris, banker & merchant, attended St. George's New Year's Eve Watch Night Service and goes forth the next morning to successfully raise funds for Washington's army. 1784 November 7 - At St. George's, Dr. Thomas Coke presents Wesley's plan for the government of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America to the public for the first time. 1785 St. George's licensed Richard Allen and Absalom Jones, the first African American Lay Preachers of Methodism. Their successful evangelistic leadership drew a large community of African Americans to the church. As a result, racial tensions flared and after a time a progressively segregated seating policy for blacks brought Allen and Jones to lead the African congregation in a historic walkout leading to the formation of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas and Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. 1789 August 17 - Rev. John Dickins opens the first Methodist Bookstore at St. George's, laying the foundation for the Methodist Publishing House and the current Cokesbury Book Stores. 1791 Participated in organizing the first Interdenominational Sunday School Association. 1794 November - Officially recognized the African Zoar M.E. Church, led by Harry Hosier. 1851 November - “The