Epworth Old Rectory
1 Rectory Street
Epworth
Lincolnshire
DN9 1HX
England
Website
curator@epwortholdrectory.org.uk
Telephone
01427 872268
Welcome to Epworth Old Rectory. A visit to this impressive grade 1 listed Queen Anne building set in beautiful gardens will transport you back into early 18th century life and introduce you to the remarkable family who lived here.
This is the home in which the rector of St. Andrew's Parish Epworth, Samuel Wesley, and his wife Susanna brought up their sons John and Charles Wesley (the founders of Methodism)and their eight brothers and sisters in their childhood years. As you tour the Old Rectory under the guidance of one of our trained guides you will see how people lived in the early 1700s: come through the front door into the impressive entrance hall, visit Samuel's study and Susanna's kitchen, enjoy the space of the family drawing room, see the family bedrooms and then spend some time in the peaceful gardens.
The history of 18th century England will be brought to life, and you will learn about the huge influence the Wesleys had on it. John was not only a preacher and writer, but was active in many social spheres ranging from prisons to slavery, from education to herbal medicines. His brother Charles was the greatest of English hymn writers, many of whose 7,000 hymns are still popular today.
There's plenty for all the family at Epworth, so step back in history and experience the gentle tranquillity of this Lincolnshire town and its Old Rectory which brought to birth such an amazing family.
Venue Type:
Museum, Heritage site, Historic house or home, Sacred space
Additional info
We have a regular programme of special events. See http://www.epwortholdrectory.org.uk/events.php for the latest information on events.
Portraits of the Wesley Family, both ancient and modern.
Oil paintings of scenes relating to the Wesleys and their histories and to the history of Epworth Old Rectory.
Prints of scenes from the lives of the Wesleys and the house.
Ceramics - including church crockery, commeorative church plates from around the world, busts of the Wesleys and other significant early Methodist people, statues, the wedgewood teapot designed for John Wesley.
Furniture dating from 1650 to 1790, and a few Victorian pieces. Some has claimed provenance to the Wesley family, including the Wesley sideboard and John Wesley's travelling clock.
Textiles - an eighteenth century patchwork quilt, some Victorian Christening gowns and a Turkish habit reputed to have been worn by a Turkish man baptised by John Wesley.
Books and letters - original Wesley letters and a variety of books some of which are early and contain signatures of the Wesley family.
Collection details
Social History, Religion, Personalities, Music, Literature, Fine Art, Costume and Textiles
Key artists and exhibits
- Lily portait of Charles Wesley by Thomas Hudson
- John Jackson portrait of John Wesley
- Portrait of Susanna Wesley - Anon - mid 18th century - London School
- John Wesley's travelling clock
- Micrography portrait of John Wesley by Louis Gluck Rosenthal
- Quilt owned by the Bolton sisters of Witney
- The Wesley sideboard
Summer Craft Fair
A wide variety of local hand-made crafts on sale all around the Rectory's croft with music and entertainment and home made refreshments on sale
Suitable for
- Any age
When
10am-4pm
Where
Epworth Old Rectory
Admission
Please see website
Website
Concert by American Methodist Youth Choir
They will be singing in aid of Epworth Old Rectory
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, Epworth
Admission
See Epworth Old Rectory website for details
Website
- About
- | Collections
- | Events
- | Resources
- | Map
