Wesley's Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wesley's Chapel |
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| Wesley's Chapel and Leysian Mission | |
Chapel and courtyard
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| Location | 49 City Road, St Luke's, London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Methodist Church of Great Britain |
| History | |
| Founded | 1778 |
| Founder(s) | John Wesley |
| Dedicated | 1778 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | George Dance the Younger |
| Style | Georgian architecture |
| Administration | |
| Circuit | City Road |
Wesley's Chapel is a famous Methodist church in London. It is located in the St Luke's area. This important church opened in 1778. It was built under the guidance of John Wesley. He was the person who started the Methodist movement.
Today, Wesley's Chapel is a place for worship. It is also a popular spot for visitors. The site includes the Museum of Methodism. This museum is found in the church's basement, called the crypt. Next to the chapel is John Wesley's House. Many people call the chapel "The Mother Church of World Methodism."
Wesley's Chapel is part of the London District of the Methodist Church. It is linked with the Leysian Mission. About 440 people attend the Sunday service here.
Contents
History and Design of Wesley's Chapel
In 1776, John Wesley wanted to build a new chapel. He asked the City of London for a piece of land. They gave him an area on City Road. People from all over the Methodist movement helped raise money. The first stone for the chapel was laid on April 21, 1777.
The architect for the chapel was George Dance the Younger. He was the official surveyor for the City of London. Samuel Tooth, a member of Wesley's group, was the builder. The chapel officially opened on November 1, 1778. This new chapel replaced Wesley's older London church, the Foundery. Wesley first preached there in 1739.
Wesley's Chapel is built with brown bricks. It has details made of yellow brick and stone. The building is a Grade I listed site. This means it is very important and protected. It is a great example of Georgian architecture. This style was popular in Britain during the 18th century.
The chapel has been changed and improved over time. For example, the plain windows were replaced with stained glass. In 1864, the gallery was updated. Its front was made lower, and the seats were angled. Around the gallery, there is a special design. It shows a dove with an olive branch. A snake biting its own tail surrounds the dove. This design was supposedly created by Wesley himself. The ceiling was replaced after a fire in 1879.
Another big update happened in 1891. Holloway Brothers worked with Methodist architects Elijah Hoole and William Willmer Pocock. The building's foundations were made stronger. The windows in the apse (a rounded part of the church) were made larger. This allowed for more stained glass. New pews, which are church benches, were also put in.
The pillars supporting the gallery were once ships' masts. These were given by King George III. Later, they were replaced with French jasper pillars. These new pillars were gifts from Methodist churches in other countries. Only the top part of the original three-level pulpit remains today. An organ was first installed in 1882. The current organ was put in in 1891. Its pipes were moved to the back of the gallery in 1938.
The original communion table was against the wall. This was common in 18th-century churches. Few churches still have this setup today. The current sanctuary area in front of the pulpit was added in the 1970s. During this time, the foundations were strengthened again. The roof was also replaced. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh officially reopened the chapel. This happened on November 1, 1978. The current communion rail was a gift from former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. She was married in the chapel in 1951.
A memorial to Susanna Wesley is just inside the gate. She was John Wesley's mother. Her grave is in Bunhill Fields Burial Ground. This burial ground is across from the chapel.
The chapel has always had two or more ministers. Sometimes, local preachers lead services. The first woman to preach in Wesley's Chapel was Agnes Elizabeth Slack. This happened in 1926.
Interior Views
- Inside Wesley's Chapel
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Apse
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Gallery and pulpit
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Pews, table and rail, and the organ in the gallery
The Chapel Site
The chapel is located in a cobbled courtyard. This courtyard is off City Road. The chapel is at the far end. John Wesley's house is on the right side.
John Wesley's House
John Wesley's House is a mid-Georgian townhouse. It was built in 1779, at the same time as the chapel. Wesley lived in this house for the last eleven years of his life. A blue plaque on the front of the house remembers him. This Grade I listed building is now a historic house museum. Visitors can explore it. Wesley built the house, and George Dance the younger designed it.
Wesley lived in the house for his final twelve years. He passed away in his bedroom there. The house also provided a place for traveling preachers and their families to stay. The household servants lived on the property too. After Wesley's death, preachers continued to use the house. It became a museum in the 1900s.
In the dining room, you can see his Chamber Horse. This was a device he used for exercise. In his study, there is an electric machine. He used it to treat illnesses.
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John Wesley blue plaque
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John Wesley's House – Study
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John Wesley's House – Kitchen
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John Wesley's Electric Machine
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John Wesley's Chamber Horse
Courtyard, Gardens, and Cemetery
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In front of Wesley's House is a small physic garden. This garden has herbs mentioned in Wesley's book, The Primitive Physic. This book described how common people could use natural medicines. They could not always afford a doctor. Wesley started London's first free medical clinic. He gave out health advice and remedies at his Foundery chapel.
Wesley died on March 2, 1791. His tomb is in the garden behind the chapel. Six of his preachers are also buried there. His sister Martha Hall and his doctor, Dr John Whitehead, are also buried nearby.
A bronze statue of Wesley stands at the courtyard entrance. It has the words "the world is my parish" written on it. John Adams-Acton created this statue in 1891. It is a Grade II listed sculpture. Elijah Hoole designed the 10-foot tall granite base for the statue.
Victorian Lavatory
The site also has a rare example of a gentleman's restroom. It was built in 1891 by Thomas Crapper. He was a famous sanitary engineer.
The Leysian Mission
In 1886, former students of The Leys School in Cambridge started a mission. It was located on nearby Whitecross Street. Their goal was to help the poor people living in the East End of London. In 1904, the mission moved to a new place on Old Street. This was very close to Wesley's Chapel.
The mission offered medical help and legal advice. It also provided financial and food assistance. They held religious services and musical events too. After World War II, the mission sold its buildings. It then joined with Wesley's Chapel in 1989.
Wesley's Chapel Today
Today, Wesley's Chapel has a diverse community. It has 439 members from many different backgrounds. It is an active church with daily prayers. It holds Sunday Holy Communion services and several weekday services. The church is known for its traditional worship style. The main minister is Canon Jennifer Smith.
Wesley's Chapel works closely with other churches. These include the Anglican St Giles' Cripplegate parish church. It also partners with Jewin Welsh Presbyterian Church and St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. It has a good relationship with the Friends meeting house at Bunhill Fields.
Museum of Methodism
The Museum of Methodism is located in the chapel's crypt. This is the basement area. The museum has many items related to Methodism. You can see some of Wesley's speeches and writings about religion. There is also a special "warmed heart" area for quiet thought. Other items include Thomas Coke's writing desk. You can also see Donald Soper's portable preaching stand. The museum was created in 1978. It was updated in 2014. The last display was added in early 2016.
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John Wesley's Death Mask
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John Wesley Ship
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John Wesley Ceramics
See also
- List of Methodist churches
- New Room, Bristol
- Charles Wesley's House
