Epworth

Founders of Methodism John and Charles Wesley were born in Lincolnshire, their father the Rev Samuel Wesley was rector of St Andrew’s Church, Epworth from 1695 to 1735.

The Wesley children were baptised in the font and probably received their first Communion from the 17th century chalice which is still used on special occasions. During a fire at the rectory in 1709, John then six, was rescued from the flames by a human ladder formed under his bedroom window. He always described himself as a ‘brand plucked from the burning’. John and Charles formed an association, its timetabled activities – study, prayer, prison visiting, fellowship – left bemused observers to describe those that attended it as ‘Methodist’ because they went about their lives so methodically. The brothers visited America and began a lifelong passionate disapproval of slavery. John preached across the length and breadth of Britain, he is said to have travelled on horseback some 250,000 miles, around 5000 per year.

In 1742 John Wesley entered Epworth on one of his preaching tours. Refused access to the church, he stood on his father’s tomb in the graveyard and began to preach to a large crowd. Charles Wesley died in 1788. The ‘sweet singer of Methodism’ had written many hymns including ‘Loves Divine, All Loves Excelling’ sung at many a wedding to this day.