Church roots on the Isle of Man date to September 1840, when Elder John Taylor, bearing glad tidings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, traveled some 80 miles by ship to the small island from Liverpool, England.
Elder Taylor of the Quorum of the Twelve had been called to labor in the British Isles in the fall of 1839. He had proclaimed the gospel in England, Ireland and Scotland before departing to the tiny island in the midst of the Irish Sea.The missionary had familiarity with the Isle of Man prior to his arrival since it was the birthplace of his wife, the former Leonora Cannon. In fact, before his arrival on the island, Elder Taylor had taught and baptized Leonora's brother and sister-in-law, George and Ann Quayle Cannon, and their family in Liverpool. George and Ann Quayle were both born on Isle of Man and lived in Liverpool after their marriage. The six children they subsequently bore included George Q. Cannon, who with his sister Mary Alice, was baptized that summer of 1840 and who later served in the First Presidency of the Church.
When Elder Taylor reached the Isle of Man on his mission, he likely carried a letter of introduction from his wife that he shared with her relatives at Liverpool and the Isle of Man. His wife, Leonora, was born Oct. 6, 1796, at Peel on the west coast of the island. Before her marriage and baptism into the Church she had left with friends for Canada in 1832, after being directed in a dream to do so. There she had met the Methodist preacher John Taylor. The two were married in Toronto Jan. 28, 1833, and both joined the Church May 9, 1836, after hearing the message of the Restoration from Elder Parley P. Pratt.
Now, just four years later, Elder Taylor was an apostle and serving a mission in the British Isles. He arrived on the Isle of Man with Elder Hiram Clark and William C. Mitchell. The three immediately plunged into their missionary labors, with Elder Taylor laboring in the capital city of Douglas while the other two traveled approximately 15 miles north to Ramsey. Elder Taylor accompanied them part way, before stopping in a secluded field to ordain Brother Mitchell a deacon, to sing and to pray that the Lord would open the way for the preaching of the gospel. A powerful Spirit was manifest as they blessed one another, spoke in tongues and prophesied, according to a history of the Church in the Isle of Man compiled by Martin Holden.
Elder Taylor proceeded to rent quarters in Douglas with Solomon Pitchforth, a prosperous Jewish businessman, who with his wife, Ann, became sympathetic to his work. The missionary would rent the Wellington Market Hall in Douglas - capable of seating about 1,000 people and the largest public hall on the island - for his missionary meetings. He attracted much attention and stirred up considerable excitement, with upwards of 800 people attending some of the meetings.
A letter to the editor of the Manx Liberal noted: "I feel rather surprised and chagrined that the modern delusion, viz. `Mormonism,' should have made such rapid strides in this town, hitherto considered exempt from the many systems of irreligious creeds which abound in England, America and elsewhere. . . .
"I could enumerate a host of our members who regularly attend those anti-Christian meetings; but I will just mention, with your permission, the names of a few who attended one of the last meetings. (Here followed a list of names.)
"O! Mr. Editor! I quake for the consequence; such a wholesale conversion to Mormonism was never before witnessed in any town or country. What will become of our society? What will become of our class meetings? What will become of our brethren in the faith?
"But, Mr. Editor, what makes the case worse is, that a rumor is prevalent that all these pious men are to be baptized! That is duly immersed in the salt water of Douglas Bay, by that abominable creature, Taylor! . . . Immersion! (my hand shakes while I write) and in winter, too! Oh, sir, the thought chills my very soul; surely this American dipper intends to drown them; he can have no other object in view, therefore, brethren of the Methodist society, beware! Drowning is not to be envied, and that too in your sins." (History of the Church 4:234-35.)
Excitement in and around Douglas grew, with charges and counter-charges being published in the Liberal and the Manx Sun. Elder Taylor was opposed by ministers in public debates before sizable crowds.
On one of these occasions, according to History of the Church, he was opposed by "Rev. Thomas Hamilton, whom he met in a public debate and easily vanquished. No great honor, however,' says Elder Taylor in his account of the affair,as he was a very ignorant man.' "
When the persecution became too severe, Elder Taylor and his followers would travel into the farm fields a couple miles west of Douglas, to a place called Hillberry, for their meetings. Despite the opposition, he was able to organize a branch of the Church in Douglas.
While on the island, Elder Taylor wrote and published three tracts defending the Lord's cause. They were able to be printed after a stranger and a fish vendor delivered the exact money needed for printing to his door in answer to his fervent prayers.
Before Elder Taylor departed for England, his landlady, Mrs. Pitchforth, and her four children were among others who were baptized.
