John Wesley was the eighteenth century founder of Methodism, a non conformist church
When and Where was he Born?
17th June 1703, Epworth, Lincolnshire, England.
John Wesley was the son of a Church or England Rector.
Charterhouse, London. Christchurch College, Oxford.
Chronology/Biography of John Wesley:
1725: Wesley was ordained as an Deacon.
1726: He became a Fellow of Lincoln College and a lecturer in Greek.
1728: John Wesley ordained as a priest. At Oxford the group which he lead, which had grown up round his brother Charles Wesley were given the nickname the Oxford Methodists
1730: James Hervey and George Whirefield joined the Methodist group.
1735: Death of their father. John and Charles went on a missionary journey to Georgia, USA, but they were not made welcome by the Colonists and eventually returned to England in 1738.
1738: John met Peter Bohler of the Moravians who became a big influence on him and he attended Moravian meetings in Aldersgate Street, London. At one of these he became convinced of salvation whilst listening to Martin Luther’s preface to the Epistle of the Romans. His new energy to bring the idea of salvation to others caused consternation amongst the local population and in particular the clergy who closed their pulpits to him.
1739: Wesley founded his first Methodist Chapel at Bristol and he bought a foundry in Moorfields, London where he also set up a chapel. This building became his headquarters. Up to 30,000 people would wait to hear him preach here and he became particularly important to, and loved by, the labouring classes. He began to travel widely, (He covered over 250,00 miles and preached over 40,000 sermons in his life).
1742: Wesley is recorded as preaching morning and evening at St Peter’s Church, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, one of several days he preached there up until 1768. (See Venerable Bede for photograph of church)
1743: John Nelson and John Downes, two of his advance agents went to Trewint in Cornwall and took refreshment at the house of Digory Isbell a stonemason. Digory was not in at the time but the strangers antics and prayers caused Elizabeth to relate the story to Digory.
1744: John himself was entertained in the house at Trewint by Digory who set up a Prophet’s Chamber in his honour. Trewint became a flourishing Methodist Society.
1745: Wesley broke with the Moravians as he was determined that his movement should remain within the Church of England which it did for the rest of his life.
1761: OnSunday May 31st Wesley is recorded as preaching morning and evening at St Peter’s Church, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, one of several days he preached there between 1742 and 1768. He was always received enthusiastically here unlike other parts of the country. (St Peter’s is well known for its association with the Venerable Bede).
1776: His wife Mary left him.
1778: Wesley founded the Methodist Magazine and was responsible for writing many other works such as histories, biographies and collections of psalms and hymns. These works were all very popular and the money made in royalties all went to charity. He founded charitable institutions in Newcastle and London and founded the Kingswood School in Bristol.
1739: “Hymns and Sacred Poems”.
1744: “A Collection of Psalms and Hymns”.
1771: “Collected Prose Work”.
1788: “A Collection of Psalms and Hymns”. (Updated).
1751 to Mary Vazeille a widow.
When and Where did he Die?
2nd March 1791, London, England.
Age at Death:
Site of Grave:
John Wesley Chapel, City Road, Finsbury, London, England.
Places of Interest:
Lodged at 2 Broad Street when visiting Bath. Laid foundation stone of Methodist Chapel in New King Street in 1777.
John Wesley’s Chapel, Broadmead, Bristol.
John Wesley Museum and Prayer Rooms, Trewint, Bodmin.
Weardale Museum, High Street Chapel, Weardale.
John Wesley Chapel, City Road, Finsbury.