The Museum of Methodism & John Wesley's House

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."

13/08/2026

In John Wesley's House there are a number of well-thumbed copies of his journal. John was a prolific writer, and penned his diaries using quill and ink in a short-hand he had developed. A few carefully selected extracts from the diaries were published in John's lifetime, but they were not fully deciphered and published until years after his death.
John liked to record his impressions of the places and people he encountered during his summer travelling season. During August 1787, John toured the Channel Islands, arriving at Guernsey after an unscheduled stop in Alderney to shelter from high winds. He found a cordial welcome, and described the congregations he preached to as "serious". John was impressed by the multitude of fruits on offer, the pier - "the largest and finest I ever saw" - and the "very narrow streets and exceeding high houses."
Two years after John's visit, in 1789, the first Methodist chapel was opened on Guernsey, at St Peter Port. 150 years later, the Channels Islands suffered occupation during World War Two. However, worship at Methodist chapels on the Channel Islands continued throughout this difficult period in their history.

05/08/2026

Have you visited the summer exhibition at John Wesley's House yet? Sixth form art students from The Leys School have taken part in an online tour of the Wesley's Chapel site, and conducted their own research into the history of Methodism. This work by Herb, titled "Building through Giving," was inspired by the unusual collection boxes on display in the museum; and by John Wesley's teachings that faith should be demonstrated through practical actions that help others. The piece has been printed in layers, with the first showing quotations by Wesley relating to charity, followed by a print of coins and then one of a collection box. Herb says, "The layered printmaking process reflects on the accumulation of values, stories and actions that shape a community over time."

28/07/2026

This piece by Rose, "Methodist Virtues Memorial," features in the current exhibition at John Wesley's House. It is one of a pair of silk paintings with gutta exploring the key values of a Methodist church, and was inspired by the stained glass windows of Wesley's Chapel. Rose says, "This piece aims to show that faith in God is more than just being a follower, but also an active part of a community based around bringing light, music and generosity back into the world."

21/07/2026

We are excited to be taking part in family activities at this week, on the topic of electrical pioneers! Did you know that there is an electrical machine dating back to the eighteenth century in John Wesley's House? It generates static electric shocks, and was one of four used in Wesley's London chapels to treat those unable to afford healthcare. The 1700s was a time of great scientific discovery, and electrical machines helped scientists understand how electricity works. Many of the foundations for the modern age of electricity were laid during the eighteenth century.

16/07/2026

This model is part of the "Journeys" exhibition currently in John Wesley's House, created by students from the Leys School. Pippa was inspired when learning about the opportunities women were given within the early Methodist movement, at a time when society expected them to serve largely domestic roles. In her piece, "Possibility for Freedom," Pippa uses a cage to represent women being trapped in the kitchens and washrooms of Britain. The cage is covered with quotes on gender by John Wesley and other early Methodist leaders, stitched onto fabric, representing ways out of the cage. The Methodist movement gave women opportunities to take on leadership roles as early as the mid-1700s, in lay preaching, and leading prayer and Bible study for class groups.