John Wesley's House & The Museum of Methodism

Step back into Eighteenth Century London with a visit to Wesley's House. Discover the day-to-day running of a small Georgian town house.Built by Wesley, the founder of Methodism, in 1779, he lived here the last eleven winters of his life, when not touring to visit and preach to his Methodist socieites round the country. The house also provided a home for the preachers of the Chapel, their families and servants. The house contains many of John Wesley's belongings, including his electrical machine and his study chair. His small Prayer Room is considered by Methodists all over the world to be the Power House of Methodism. The Chapel was built by John Wesley, and opened on 1 November 1778. Its Georgian lines and many of its features are very attractive and it is the only Methodist Church to feature in Simon Jenkins’s England’s Thousand Best Churches (published 1998). It is the first Methodist Church built specifically for the celebration of Holy communion as well as for preaching services.

Additional info

Disabled Access: There is ramp access into the Chapel. The Museum of Methodism and disabled toilet is accessible by lift. Access to the ground floor only of John Wesley's House.

Our Museum offers a full range of educational and cultural opportunities to visitors and pilgrims who have come to connect with the beginnings of Methodism. See one of the world's largest collections of Wesleyan ceramics and some of the finest Methodist paintings. There are also some unusual objects to be seen, like the pack of religious playing cards!

Collection details

Costume and Textiles, Decorative and Applied Art, Fine Art, Medicine, Music, Personalities, Religion, Social History

Key artists and exhibits

• Frank O. Salisbury
• John Wesley's Electrical Machine
• Wesleyana
• Chamber horse
• Charles Wesley's single mannual pipe organ
• John Wesley's teapot
• Herbert Beecroft