Methodism was founded by John Wesley, an English Anglican priest, in the late 18th century. Wesley was concerned with church renewal and the relevance of religion for the common people - those who were often overlooked by the Church of England. After Wesley's death various groups split away from the Wesleyan Methodist Church, including the Primitive Methodists and Bible Christians. In Australia in 1900 these three groups were re-united as the Methodist Church. There was much excitement in the lead-up to the Union. On 14 August 1899 the presidents of the three Methodist 'conferences' signed the Plan of Union at an impressive ceremony held at Pirie Street Wesleyan Methodist Church, the major Methodist Church in South Australia. Almost 80 years later a further amalgamation with the Presbyterian and Congregational churches saw the formation of the Uniting Church in Australia.