 The important events in Varick's life were associated with his religious avocation.Varick joined the John Street Methodist Church in New York City at an early date, possibly in 1766, the year after the church held its first meeting.Varick seems to have been licensed to preach by this group although he does not appear among the licensed preachers of the early Zion church listed by Christopher Rush, the second supervisor or bishop, in his 1844 history of the denomination.