The founder of the movement was William O'Bryan, a Methodist lay preacher of Luxulyan, Cornwall.

O'Bryan commenced his labours in north Devon, and in 1815 a small society was formed at Lake Farm, Shebbear.

On O'Bryan's departure, the first fully recognised minister James Thorne, at whose father's farm the connexion had started, became its leader.

[2] The Earl of Portsmouth opened a block of new buildings at Shebbear College in 1878, and offered a £5 prize for the best essay on "The Effect of the Revolution of 1688 on Constitutional Progress and National Life.

"[3] In October 1882, Sir Thomas Dyke Acland urged upon the College authorities the immediate building of a science laboratory.

This formed part of a new scheme of extension, including a new wing to the main complex, which was opened by Sir Thomas Acland in 1884.