The Methodists arrived in Barbados in 1789, intent on Christianising the slave population.However, 20 years later had only 30 converts.
The plantocracy regarded the Methodists as anti-slavery and constantly persecuted the church. Their hatred was such that in 1823 an angry mob tore down the Methodist chapel in the city. In addition there were several (unsuccessful) attempts to outlaw Methodism in Barbados.