Wesley's Chapel and Museum of Methodism

Around the time the Americans were declaring their independence from Britain, Wesley's Chapel was being built in London. Although unknown to most tourists, this church is of great importance to Methodists around the world - it has been dubbed the "Cathedral of World Methodism."

John Wesley (1703-1791) was an Anglican minister, evangelist, and the founder of Methodism. The site in the City of London includes not only Wesley's chapel but also his house, his tomb, the Foundry Chapel, and the excellent Museum of Methodism.

Wesley was already an ordained minister in the Church of England when he underwent an evangelical conversion at a Bible reading in London in 1738.

In his subsequent preaching, he encouraged a life of prayer, Bible study, and charity work. Eventually Methodism became a separate denomination from the Church of England and today there are up to 70 million Methodists worldwide.

The site of Wesley's Chapel was purchased from the Corporation of London in 1776 and construction by a local preacher commenced in 1777. The Chapel was opened on 1st November 1778.

Wesley used the City Road Chapel (only later called "Wesley's Chapel") as his London base. Wesley's Chapel was the first Methodist church in London built for the celebration of communion and preaching. It is not the first Methodist church, however - that honor belongs to the New Room in Bristol.

In 1891, to mark the centenary of Wesley's death, the chapel was refurbished. The original oak masts that supported the gallery were replaced with marble pillars from around the world. As it was the Civil War era, the chapel received are two pillars from America: North and South. The stained glass windows were also added at this time.

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher got married at Wesley's Chapel in 1951. A devout Methodist, she attended services here from time to time but the security arrangements eventually made it very difficult to do so.

Wesley's Chapel remained in continuous use by Methodists until structural problems forced it to close in the early 1970s. It was repaired and reopened on November 1, 1978, its 200th anniversary, in the presence of the Queen Elizabeth II.

Today, there are about 300 members of Wesley's Chapel. The congregation includes a significant number of West African Methodists, which reflects the missionary emphasis of the denomination.

Although Wesley called his chapel "neat, but not fine," its Georgian lines and other features are quite attractive. The chapel was built according to Wesley's own design. It faces Bunhill Fields across the street, where his mother Susanna is buried. Wesley's tomb is behind the chapel.

The Museum of Methodism, in the chapel's crypt, traces the history of Methodism from Wesley to the present day. It includes original letters penned by John and Charles Wesley, John's pulpit, items associated with Methodism's missionary work around the world, and a small gift shop.

Wesley's House was built next door to his chapel in 1779. Wesley spent the last 11 winters of his life here and died in his bedroom on March 2, 1791. Visitors can view many of John Wesley's belongings inside the house.