The Museum of Methodism & John Wesley's House

24/08/2023

in 1759 William Wilberforce was born. John Wesley's last letter was written to Wilberforce in February 1971 urging him to keep up the fight to abolish the transatlantic slave trade . The quill Wesley used is on display in the Museum.

07/08/2023

William Booth was one of the founders of the Salvation Army but prior to that he was a member of the Methodist New Connexion. This small plate shows the Britannia Fields Methodist New Connexion Chapel, of which Booth was the first minister from 1854-55. The Britannia Fields Chapel was in .

25/07/2023

It's the start of the and the Museum is open Tues - Sat, 10.30-4. Pick up a free trail from the Museum, have fun with our Play Packs or just enjoy lunch in the gardens. All are welcome!

23/07/2023

in 1742 Susanna Wesley died. She is buried in Bunhill Fields which is opposite John Wesley's House. The House was not built at the time, but she was living with John at the nearby Foundery Chapel. Although best known for her influence on her sons, Susanna Wesley was an accomplished writer, teacher and theologian in her own right. She has often been referred to as the 'Mother of Methodism'.

11/07/2023

Singing is an important part of the Methodist faith, with Charles Wesley writing thousands of hymns in his lifetime. John Wesley's first 'Sacred Harmony' hymnal was published in 1780, with a second edition following in 1791. 'Sacred Harmony' was the largest collection of Methodist hymn tunes issued during John Wesley's lifetime. This revised and corrected edition with tunes was published by John Wesley's composer nephew, Charles Wesley (jnr), in 1822.

22/06/2023

We add objects to our Museum collection throughout the year and recently we've added some interesting new pieces. It is said Wesley preached standing on this prayer stool. The stool's original label mentions 'Kingsdown' as the location where it was used, which is in Somerset . The leather album belonged to Mary Ann Mereweather, who married Samuel Sebastian Wesley, Charles' grandson. In it she collected mementos and cuttings linked to the Wesley family. Scrapbooking was a popular pastime in the Victorian period, during which she lived. The plaque is a rare metal plaque, made for the American market. The plaque, which features John Wesley, has been coloured to look like ceramic. These and other new objects are on temporary display; the Museum is free to visit so come along to see them! Thank you to the families that gifted these objects to the Museum.

02/06/2023

We are excited to be hosting the The Leys School exhibition 'Create & Analyse' until September. The artwork has been created by sixth form pupils. We love the students' interpretation of the site and its stories. The exhibition can be viewed as part of a House tour, during our usual opening hours.

26/05/2023

in 1700 Count Nikolaus Zinzendorf was born. Zinzendorf was a bishop of the Moravian Church in Germany and became known as a major Protestant religious and social reformer. John Wesley was influenced by the deep faith and spirituality of the Moravians and met Zinzendorf twice. Wesley's pivotal conversion experience on 24 May 1738 took place at a society meeting in London with Moravian links. Previously, he had been inspired by the fortitude of a group of Moravians on board a ship when he was travelling from America during a bad storm.

24/05/2023

Happy Wesley Day! in 1738 John Wesley had his 'conversion' experience and felt his heart strangely warmed. Join us to celebrate! The House is open from 11am - 3pm and Wesley's Chapel & Leysian Mission has a programme of events to mark the day.

22/05/2023

Next week is ! If you have a free morning or afternoon why not pop in? Our family activities have been refreshed with new 'Play Packs' for 5-9s and 'Discover' packs for 0-5s. We also have our sensory trails and dressing up trunk. The garden is looking beautiful so you could always bring a picnic!

Kids in Museums Islington Gazette IslingtonLife Islington Mums

15/05/2023

These Pew Rent receipts are particularly eye catching with their bright colours, but they also offer an insight in to how the Chapel changed in the 12-year period the receipt cards cover. Pew rents were paid by families for a pew at most churches until the mid-twentieth century. The pews at the front of the church were typically most expensive, creating a kind of social hierarchy in churches.

Changes to the appearance of the Chapel can clearly be seen on these cards. Those dating from 1861 and 1862 (left) show the plain brick front of the Chapel, looking largely like it would have done in Wesley’s day. The 1872 and 1873 versions (right) show new stonework that has been added to the façade. In 1864 there had been a fire at the Chapel, with much of the interior having to be re-done. It’s likely the stonework was added as part of this work, in the Italianate style which was fashionable at this time.

10/05/2023

Due to unforeseen circumstances the House and Museum will be closed on Saturday 13 May. We apologise for any inconvenience.

05/05/2023

Join us for our Wesley Day celebrations on Wednesday 24 May. The House will be open to explore at your own pace from 11am - 3pm and Wesley's Chapel & Leysian Mission has a full day of events to enjoy.

05/04/2023

On Weds 12 April, 11am - 3pm, we will be open for you to drop in, meet our re-enactors and explore our Georgian townhouse. Our family activity is inspired by Helen McKenny, a Victorian resident of the House who regularly sketched the Chapel - have a go at creating your own watercolour masterpiece to take away!

04/04/2023

We will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday (7, 9 and 10 April) but open as usual on Saturday 8th April. We hope you have a lovely Easter!

23/03/2023

It was great to welcome Year 4 from Moreland Primary in today to take part in our workshop! We're looking forward to meeting the rest of the Year 4s next week!

17/03/2023

Happy St Patrick’s Day! This set of Irish stamps was designed in 1997 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of John Wesley’s first visit to Ireland on 9th August 1747.

09/03/2023

This is Wesley’s grave at the back of the Chapel shortly after the office block was built in the early 1980s – it’s looking beautifully bright after a good clean! The mirrored office block has provided inspiration for several pieces of art in recent years as part of our Leys School art exhibitions.

02/03/2023

in 1791 John Wesley died in the bedroom of his City Road Home. His last words were 'The best of all is, God is with us.'

23/02/2023

in 1724 Susanna wrote to John Wesley, he had recently informed her he wanted to become a minister. She was pleased with his decision: 'If it be so, happy are you if you cherish those Dispositions, and now in good Earnest resolv (sic) to make Religion the Business of yr Life.' The full letter can be read here:

16/02/2023

Are you joining in the Museum Mystery Trail here at the Museum & House this half-term? Visit the Kids in Museums website to find out how you could win a signed copy of the book! http://bit.ly/MuseumMysteryTrail

10/02/2023

in 1751 John Wesley met Mary 'Molly' Vazeille after falling on ice and injuring himself. They were married just two weeks later. Sadly, the marriage was not a happy one, and ended in separation 20 years later. One of our volunteers has recently published a pamphlet about her life, which is available from our shop.

06/02/2023

Exciting! Our Murder at the Museum posters and bookmarks have arrived! We're taking part in the Kids in Museums Museum Mystery Trail here at the Museum from 14 Feb - 31 March. Come along & join in!

02/02/2023

Great morning meeting Artbox London to talk about future joint projects. Amazing to see the studio space for the first time as well as the vibrant artwork on display. Take a look at their website to find out more about their work https://buff.ly/37M64GD

01/02/2023

is not far away! Come along and take part in the Museum Mystery Trail from here at the Museum from 14 Feb. Detective skills at the ready! 🔎

25/01/2023

Local fun this February !

17/01/2023

This rather unique portrait of John Wesley has been created using tiny script. The text tells the story of the beginning of Methodism – we wonder how long it took the artist!

13/01/2023

Please note, we will be closed on Saturday 14 January due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

12/01/2023

We're taking part in the Museum Mystery Trail from
Kids in Museums and Walker Books. Go undercover at The Museum of Methodism & John Wesley's House from 14th February to 31 March. Test your detective skills, solve puzzles and have fun!

11/01/2023

Are you looking for a new opportunity this year? We are looking for Heritage Stewards to help with showing people around our historic site. This sociable role involves welcoming visitors to ensure they have a great experience. As a volunteer, you will receive a welcome pack, full training and we can help with travel expenses. Please contact [email protected] to find out more!

05/01/2023

to when the vestibule at Wesley's Chapel & Leysian Mission looked like this! Whilst the oak and glass screen created a rather grand entrance, it made the Chapel quite dark. During the 1970s refurbishment it was replaced with a glass screen, which is still there today. When the Chapel was originally built there would have been no screen.

23/12/2022

Will you be playing games with the family during the Christmas period? This is an early 19th century religious entertainment, or game. The idea was to pick a card and reflect on the scripture written on it and how you could apply it to your daily life. This was a home made entertainment and could have been used individually or as a group. Some early Methodists didn't approve of the cards but it would appear they were in use in John and Charles' lifetime.

18/12/2022

in 1777 some tools which were being used to build Wesley's Chapel & Leysian Mission were stolen. This is a copy of the text written at the time in an attempt to catch whoever had committed the theft. Sadly, we don't know whether the tools were ever returned.

16/12/2022

This small bust of Wesley looks like it could be an ice sculpture of him, and it's certainly chilly enough here at the House and Museum! It is in fact made of glass, which is unusual as the majority of busts were ceramic.

15/12/2022

We're opening our today 11am-4pm.
We also have our Carol Service from 12.30pm. If you want to come in beforehand to warm up before singing you're most welcome to.

14/12/2022

09/12/2022

A lovely family event coming up at the Jewish Museum London!

Join us at Jewish Museum London on Sunday 18 December, 11am-4.30pm, as we team up with Jewish Book Week for a special Hanukah Family Day with doughnut-making, dreidel-spinning, Hanukah Lamp-lighting, Museum tours – and a series of author events for adults and children.

In Partnership with Jewish Book Week and featuring a whole host of authors including Ivor Baddiel author of Football Fun, Jodie Lancet-Grant author of The Marvellous Doctors for Magical Creatures, Iona Rangely author of Einstein the Penguin and Debra Barnes author of The Young Survivors.

Don't miss out and book your tickets today! https://jewishmuseum.org.uk/event/hanukah-family-day-2/

07/12/2022

It is our Georgian Christmas late opening this evening! Come and see the House by candlelight from 5pm - 7.30pm. The House will be filled with the sights and sounds of the festive season! Meet our Georgian re-enactors, listen to live music from Flauguissimo Duo and make a pomander to take home. Free entry, just drop in!

01/12/2022

We're delighted Flauguissimo Duo will be joining us for our Christmas late opening on Weds 7 December, 5.00pm - 7.30pm. They will be playing traditional chamber music as a backdrop to the evening, free entry, no need to book.

24/11/2022

Our is open today 11am-4pm. All are welcome to come in whether to beat the cold, loneliness or just to sit down for a few minutes!