Bristol, John Wesley's First Chapel and Dwelling House

On our way to the bus station to go to Wells, we stopped to see John Wesley's first chapel and dwelling house.  This is a blog all its own done just for our Life Applications Sunday School Class.

The oldest Methodist building in the world - the New Room, also know as John Wesley's Chapel.  Built in 1739, and enlarged in 1748.  John Wesley built it as a meeting house for the many people who responded to his preaching in the open air and who had become Christians.  He also provided space for an  education for the poor, giving help and comfort for those in need, and giving medicines to those who otherwise could not afford them. 

It was John Wesley's first headquarters when he began to travel the length and breadth of he country, "preaching the glad tidings of salvation" and "endeavouring to do good". The  clock was give by John Weslaey himself.

John Wesley

The family

Writing desk

Charles Wesley's hymns were immenseluy popular in his lifetime.  Over 9000 of which 500 are still used today in many denominations. Many  were produced while he rode on horseback between preaching appointments.

The Preachers' room above the Chapel is where the early Methodist preachers could stay for study, rest and recreation before going out to the West Country, Wales and beyond to share the Christian message.  Here they planned there work with John Wesley himself when he stayed here.  Over nearly 50 years he travelled 400,000 km riding horseback between bases in this room in Bristol, in Newcastle-on-Tyne and in London.

The pulpit from which the preacher spoke on Sundays.  It is on the same level as the Gallery seating and looks down into the Chapel.

  This plaque is a copy of the original which is in Westminster Abbey in London.  I shall see if I can find it when we go to London next week.