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John Wesley, 1703 - 91, was one
of the most important figures in English Christian history.
Disillusioned by the Anglican Church, Wesley sought to restore
the original doctrines of Christ.
The founder of the Methodist
Church, he travelled and preached all over England and the
USA, In 1739 Wesley bought an old workshop in City Road
and converted it into the Foundery Chapel, this was replaced
with present chapel in 1777.
Wesley's Chapel, designed by
George Dance the younger, was decorated in spartan style in
accordance with Wesley's principles. Although added
to and restored, the appearance of the chapel is not very
different to that of 1778. In the courtyard is an 1891
statue of Wesley.
The galleried Georgian interior
has an east recess for the Classical reredos and altar, and
since the 18th century the fittings and adornments have grown
in number and richness.
The galleries were once supported
by wooden ships' masts donated by George III but these were
replaced by polished Jasper columns in the 19th century.
Some of the original wooden columns can be seen in the vestibule.
The stained glass is a late Victorian
addition, but the Georgian pulpit stands in its original position,
although only the top part of the original three-decker, from
which John Wesley's well-known brother Charles frequently
preached. Charles was a celebrated writer of hymns
and his chamber organ is still kept in the Foundery chapel.
Wesley preached here until his
death and is buried behind the chapel, and long inscriptions
on his tomb record Wesley's extraordinary mission. Baroness
Thatcher, Britain's first woman Prime Minister, was married
at Wesley's Chapel.
Today, the Methodist church has
over 50 million followers world-wide, and in 1984 the Museum
of Methodism, illustrating the work of Wesley and the history
of Methodism over 250 years, was opened in the crypt.
Among the items on display is an oil painting depicting the
scene at Wesley's death bed. Films and temporary exhibitions
are also held here.
Wesley's house is next door,
restored to its original Georgian design. An audio commentary,
told from the point of view of Wesley's housekeeper, Elizabeth
Ritchie, adds colour to the tour of the house, which has Wesley's
furniture, books and other possessions, such as his tricon
hat and preaching gown.
Bunhill Fields, just across the
City Road, was a burial ground for Nonconformists. Among
those buried here are Daniel Defoe, John Bunyan and William
Blake, as well as members of the Cromwell family.
Admission charge
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