Heck, Barbara (1734–1804)

Irish Methodist who organized the first Methodist churches in pre-revolutionary America and Canada. Born Barbara von Ruckle in County Limerick's German-speaking colony, she embraced Methodism in 1752 before marrying Paul Hescht (or Heck) and moving to New York City in 1760. She convinced her cousin Philip Embury (1728–1773) to establish a church in his home. Later, she designed North America's first Methodist church building, although it was soon replaced by a larger building (1768).

Heck left New York due to independence agitation, but her farm was burnt down by neighbours. She then fled to Montréal, where she established Canada's first Methodist class meeting.