Daily AncestorClass leader
A class leader was the lay head of a Methodist class, a small group of about a dozen members who met weekly for prayer and spiritual oversight.
John Wesley divided Methodist societies into classes of about ten to twelve members. The class leader, appointed by the preacher, met them weekly, checked on their spiritual state and helped decide whether probationers should become full members.
Many Methodist Episcopal record books include class records, listing members by class. They can place a person in a congregation year by year.
As seen in a recordMethodist class book, 1790s to 1900s
Class No. 3, Leader Thos. Grubb: Ann Grubb, Sarah Pell, Jno. Pell (prob.)
Sources
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Daily Ancestor. "Class leader." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/church/class-leader. Last checked 2026-10-03.