The Museum of Methodism & John Wesley's House

09/10/2026

Are you friendly and enthusiastic with an interest in history? Become a heritage volunteer!
Wesley's Chapel, the Museum of Methodism and John Wesley’s House attract over 16,0000 heritage visitors every year. Our volunteers offer a warm welcome and tours of the site to lovers of history and Methodist pilgrims from all over the world. Some volunteers also help with special events and our learning programme.
All welcome, no prior knowledge required - we provide full training, travelling expenses and refreshments. Join the team and make new friends!
For more information contact [email protected]

06/10/2026

This ring in the museum collection was given by the king of the Ashanti to Methodist missionary Rev. Thomas Birch Freeman during an exchange of gifts in 1841.
Thomas Birch Freeman was of African and English heritage, and was one of the first missionaries to arrive in what is now Ghana in 1835. As well as sharing his faith, Freeman campaigned against slavery. After meetings with Freeman, the Ashanti king allowed the establishment of the first Methodist mission post in the Ashanti capital, Kumasi. Freeman went on to set up schools and agriculture projects in a number of places across West Africa, and was driven by making a positive difference to people's lives.
This ring is one of a number of fascinating objects representing the story of global Methodism in the museum. Why not come in and explore the collection?

01/10/2026

On SATURDAY 10TH OCTOBER, please note that John Wesley's House and the Museum of Methodism will be closed. Wesley's Chapel will also be closed to visitors on this day.

01/10/2026

This Victorian print in the museum collection depicts John Wesley's difficult voyage to America in 1735. He is shown standing with a group of German-speaking Moravians during a heavy storm.
Their ship, The Simmonds, had set sail from Gravesend, England on October 21st and was still at sea three months later in the middle of January, when it ran into three consecutive storms. In his diary, Wesley describes taking part in a service during the third storm, when "the sea broke over, split the main-sail in pieces, covered the ship, and poured in between the decks..." During these terrifying moments, Wesley notes that despite other passengers screaming terribly, the Moravians "calmly sung on." Wesley admired their deep faith, which meant that they did not feel afraid.
Both John Wesley and his brother Charles were greatly influenced by Moravian thought and doctrine, and it was at a Moravian meeting in London on 24th May 1738 that John felt his heart strangely warmed. Following this conversion experience, Wesley found the strength to go out and follow his convictions and faith, ultimately becoming a founder of the early Methodist movement.

17/09/2026

Join us for Open House Festival today, 17th September, from 11 to 3! Pop in to find out about the heritage of John Wesley's House and Wesley's Chapel. Meet Wesley's housekeeper and cook in Georgian dress; follow an architecture trail of the house and Chapel; and see the original Victorian toilets. Museum of Methodism open as usual.

10/09/2026

One week to go! Come and visit John Wesley's House and Wesley's Chapel as part of London Open House Festival, next THURSDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER from 11am-3pm. Find out about the architecture and history of these fascinating buildings in historic Moorfields. Drop in event - free entry - ALL WELCOME!

09/09/2026

This small portrait of Thomas Coke in the museum collection was painted by an unknown artist in the early 1800s. In it, Coke is portrayed wearing the preaching bands of a Christian leader at the time, and holding a book, likely the Bible. A globe in the background may represent the great distances he travelled spreading the Methodist message.
Thomas was born in Brecon, South Wales on 9th September 1747. He became curate in the parish of South Petherton, Somerset, where he was introduced to John Wesley in August 1776, almost exactly 250 years ago. The meeting appears to have made a deep impression on Coke, but his enthusiasm for Methodism was not shared by Coke's parishioners, and he was driven out of the church the following Easter to great celebration and the ringing of the church bells!
Coke went on to become one of Wesley's closest associates, and was renowned for his enthusiasm, dedication and leadership as an early Methodist minister. He is famously remembered for playing a vital role in establishing an independent Methodist Church in America following the War of Independence, and for his public preaching against slavery and attempts to enforce anti-slavery rules within early American Methodism.
Coke is also remembered for launching Methodist overseas missions, perhaps most notably in the Caribbean, where many enslaved people became Methodists. Later in life, Coke hoped to open more overseas missions, this time in Southern Asia. He set sail for Sri Lanka in December 1813, aged 66, but sadly he didn’t complete the voyage, dying after four arduous months at sea.

02/09/2026

Last chance to see the exhibition "Journeys," featuring thought-provoking pieces by A-level art students . The artists have reflected on the heritage of Wesley's Chapel and John Wesley's House, and created works which convey their understanding and experiences of Methodist teachings and history. Exhibition ends at the end of September.

26/08/2026

Please note that the Museum of Methodism, John Wesley's House and Wesley's Chapel will be closed on Saturday 29th August and Monday 31st August.
Sunday services at Wesley's Chapel will continue as normal on Sunday 30th August, at 9.45am and 11.00am. Please see the Chapel website for more details https://wesleyschapel.org.uk/

The Mother Church of World Methodism. Details of services, sermons, activities.

18/08/2026

John Wesley is well known for travelling widely to spread his message of hope, journeying 250,000 miles in his lifetime. He often used this writing slope in the museum while on the road, to write letters and keep his journal.
In May 1777 John travelled to the Isle of Man for the first time. In his journal, he describes the islanders as "remarkably courteous and humane," noting that "ever since smuggling was suppressed, they diligently cultivate their land; and they have a large herring fishery."
John had a lucky escape when travelling between Peel and Douglas, describing an accident in which his "headstrong horse ran the wheel against a large stone. The chaise overset in a moment, but we fell so gently on smooth grass, that neither of us was hurt at all."
John returned to the island four years later, and was delighted to find that large numbers of people came to hear him preach at the newly established meeting houses and even on the beach in Peel. Many of today's musical islanders won't be surprised that John was impressed by the standard of singing in Peel. He wrote, "I have not heard better singing either at Bristol or London."