The Methodist Episcopal Church was a Christian denomination formed in the United States in the late 18th century. It emerged from the broader Methodism movement, which emphasized personal faith, social justice, and community service. The church played a significant role in American religious life and was known for its circuit riders, who traveled to spread the gospel in rural areas. In 1939, the Methodist Episcopal Church merged with other Methodist groups to form the Methodist Church. This organization continued to grow and evolve, eventually becoming part of the United Methodist Church in 1968, which remains one of the largest Protestant denominations in the world today.