20 May 2013
John Wesley's House Blog - May 2013
Exciting times! The refurbished Museum of Methodism is re-opening on the 25th May, and it will tell the story of Methodism’s immense influence on Britain and the world.
Our new museum is being delivered in two phases; phase one opening at the end of May, with phase two to be completed by November 2013. The project has brought together some of the UK’s finest craftsmen and storytellers; and the architects, John McAslan & Partners, as well as the designers, Barker Langham, have come straight from transforming King’s Cross station and the Royal Opera House. Everything is being completed in record time!
Huw Edwards, the BBC presenter, narrates our new seven-minute audio-visual presentation and the latest technology, including tablet computers, provides interactive access to major archival documents, such as John Wesley’s sermons and Charles Wesley’s hymns.
Three permanent exhibitions will be ready for the official opening:
“The Warmed Heart” tells the story of John Wesley’s conversion. His Field Bible is one of the objects on display in a contemplative space.
“Mr Wesley’s New Chapel” traces the history of Wesley’s Chapel using a series of maps of Finsbury and Islington, the earliest of which dates to 1746.
“Connecting the Connexion” illustrates John’s Wesley’s visionary organisational system of Methodist societies, classes and bands. Exhibits include a range of membership tickets and a print of Francis Asbury, whose enthronement as a bishop in the United States sealed Methodism’s separation from the Church of England.
Three more exhibitions will open in the autumn at the end of the second and final phase of the museum’s development.
We can’t wait – come visit us after the Bank Holiday weekend and explore the first phase of the new museum for yourself; entry is free and everyone is welcome!
By Christian Dettlaff, Curator at John Wesley's House & The Museum of Methodism