John Wesley's House and The Museum of Methodism
Step back into Eighteenth Century London with a visit to John Wesley's House and the Museum of Methodism.
Discover the day-to-day running of a small Georgian town house. Built by Wesley, the founder of Methodism, in 1778, he lived here the last eleven winters of his life, when not touring to visit and preach to his Methodist societies round the country.
The house also provided a home for the preachers of the Chapel and their families.
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.
Our brand new museum in the crypt of the Chapel contains many fascinating objects from our collection such as John Wesley's death mask and hair, 18th century objects from Methodist churches from around the world and the Foundary.
The Chapel was also 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.
Please note that groups of 6 people or more must phone and book in advance.
We are closed on Sundays to the general public due to services.
Venue Type:
Museum, Heritage site, Archive, Garden, parklands or rural site, Sacred space, Historic house or home
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
Learning Programmes
Three Learning Programmes are available and lead by our Learning Officer.
These are;
18th century life (Key Stage 1, 2 & 3)
Methodist Musings (Key Stage 1-5)
Slavery and the Abolition (Key Stage 3-5)
Creator
- Learning Officer
How to obtain
Please phone our main office and ask for our Learning Officer or email us.
Wesley's Chapel Teacher's Pack
The teacher's pack covers Wesley's Chapel, John Wesley's House and the Museum of Methodism. It has been written to help teachers plan educational visits to Wesley's Chapel and to use in support of the National Cirriculum (mainly at Key Stage 2, but also suitable for Key Stage 1).
Creator
- Wesley's Chapel & External Education Consultants
Publisher
- Wesley's Chapel
How to obtain
Please email our Learning and Education Officer or Curator.
Getting there
The nearest tube stations are Old Street and Moorgate.
You can also get the number 21, 43, 76, 141, 214, 271 buses right to us.
John Wesley's House and The Museum of Methodism
Wesley's Chapel
49 City Road
London
Greater London
EC1Y 1AU
England
Website
Museum curator
Learning and Community Engagement Officer
Telephone
Main Office
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