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Wesley's gateway to the West

IN the story of Methodism, Bristol has an importance second only to London itself and because it was the chief city of the West it formed one of the three focal points of John Wesley's many journeys between London, Newcastle and the West Country.

From Bristol he could easily set out into Somerset, Devon and Cornwall and it was likewise often the starting point for journeys into Wales and across to Ireland. Bristol was also the spearhead of John Wesley's advance into the world - the springboard, through his emissaries, of American Methodism.

John Wesley first came to Bristol at the pleading of George Whitefield in 1739. Whitefield was leaving on a second visit to Georgia and, before he sailed, needed Wesley to sustain the work he had begun. Once the Bristol churches had been closed to him, Whitefield began to speak in the open air to the colliers of Kingswood, "proclaiming the glad news of salvation".

Wesley was unsure about the ecclesiastically irregular field preaching and came to Bristol somewhat reluctantly. At first he was taken aback by what was happening and wrote he "could scarce reconcile myself to his (Whitefield's) strange way of preaching in the fields". But a few days later, with the departure of Whitefield, he "submitted to become more vile" and in the brickyards spoke to (he estimated) 3,000 people.

The New Room

He continued preaching to the poor in the open air, gathering those who responded into religious societies which met in people's homes. Within weeks their numbers had increased so much that a new meeting place was needed. He bought a small patch of land and built what he called "our new room in the Horsefair".

It was used as a dispensary and schoolroom for the poor people of the area as well as for meetings and worship and for 18 Conferences. The Bristol Conference charged with the deepest significance was held in 1771 which took an open stand on the issue of "free and sovereign and universal grace", as opposed to Calvinism.

It was here, in a small room, that the Methodist class-meeting originated which became the basis for membership. The place is still known today by Methodists throughout the world as "the New Room" - the oldest purpose-built Methodist building in the world and the first-ever Methodist chapel, the only building which takes us straight back to the beginning of the Methodist story.

In 1748 it was extended but after Wesley's death the property passed into the hands of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists. In 1909 it was given back to the Methodist Church.

Wesley's last Conference was held in Bristol in 1790, the year before he died. About 130 preachers were present. It was noted that he looked frail and feeble and was barely able to announce the hymns. But his spirit was remarkably lively. Two months later he left the city for the last time.

Things to see at the New Room

• The original table at which John and Charles Wesley celebrated Holy Communion.
• The double-decker pulpit - the lower part used for Bible readings and leading worship, the upper part for preaching. It was designed so the preacher could escape if attacked by a mob - early Methodist preachers were often set upon.
• The clock given by Wesley.
• The organ which dates from 1761 brought to the New Room in 1930 - there was no organ in Wesley's time, the first Methodists singing their hymns unaccompanied.
• The original wooden forms.
• The lantern window designed by Wesley. It let in more light which meant the chapel had fewer windows and so had a lower bill for window tax.
• The preachers' rooms above the chapel - John Fletcher, Adam Clarke and Charles Wesley each had a room; Francis Asbury and John Wesley had rooms. The common room is where the preachers gathered.
• The equestrian statue of John Wesley in the forecourt - the only one of its kind in the world which shows him on horseback.
• The Brook Hitch bronze statue of Charles Wesley in the back courtyard which has the motif "O let me commend my Saviour to you".
• The stables used for the preachers' horses.

Charles Wesley's House

Charles Wesley lived with his wife, Sally, and their three children, Samuel, Charles and Sarah, in a house at Number 4, Charles Street, Bristol, from 1766-1771, while he worked as pastor to the Methodists who met at the New Room.

This Georgian house has now been restored, together with Number 5, and transformed into the Charles Wesley heritage centre. Number 4 is much as it was when it was the Wesleys' family home and visitors can see the parlour, the kitchen, the music room, the garden and the study where Charles Wesley wrote some of his 7,000 hymns. All the panelling in the hall and parlour, as well as the wood floors, are original.

Things to see at Charles Wesley's House

• The parlour: the main reception room where Charles and Sally would have received their guests, including many travelling Methodist preachers.
• The music room: where Sally taught her musical sons, Charles and Samuel, to play the harpsichord.
• The study: where Charles wrote many of his 7,000 hymns, studied and prayed.
• The kitchen: where Sally prepared meals for her family. She gave birth to eight children but only three lived to adulthood.
• The exhibition room: which details the life of Charles and his family. In 1771 they moved to London to benefit their two musically gifted sons who went on to become the outstanding composers of the 19th century. Charles became minister of Wesley's Chapel in City Road (Methodist Heritage, Recorder, January 27).

The house, however, is not a museum. It is not about tables and chairs, nor is it about exciting memories of the Wesley family. It is about a life lived in the presence of God with Christ at the centre. Those who saw through the restoration state that it is their hope that those who visit the house will sense the humanity and faith of Charles Wesley - and be blessed.

Wesley College and Kingswood School

The city of Bristol itself is a Methodist shrine and not least among its proudest episodes is that of John Wesley ministering to its citizens in an age of spiritual need and moral and social degradation and of his pioneers sailing down the river to win new continents for Christ.

Bristol is the home of the oldest Methodist theological college - Didsbury College, founded in Manchester in 1842, which was removed to Westbury-on-Trym, three miles from Bristol, in 1942. Now known as Wesley College, it includes in its library a large and important collection of early Methodist literature and the Williams portrait of John Wesley.

Bristol is also the place where, by 1750, John Wesley founded four schools, one of which survives today as Kingswood School, in Bath, now a Methodist independent school for boys and girls. It was removed to Bath in 1857. (Bath is where Wesley encountered Beau Nash.) Wesley founded the original school, of which Whitefield laid the foundation stone, in Kennard Road, Kingswood, among coalmines and cockpits, as a colliers' school, to which he later added a boarding school. Today the school archive houses Wesley memorabilia, documents and books and a model of the original school.

Other Methodist sites in Bristol

Within the confines of Bristol there are a host of other Methodist sites which carry with them significant aspects of the Methodist story. These include:

• St James' church - the oldest in Bristol - which served as the parish church of Wesley's Horsefair community to which in the early days he brought his members for Holy Communion, where Charles Wesley's children were baptised and where five of his children are buried in the churchyard.
• St Mary Redcliffe's parish church room - the small chapel opened by John Wesley in Guinea Street.
• Pill - a short distance from Bristol. A mini-port on the River Avon from which the first Methodist preachers sailed to the colonies. There is an engraved stone to this effect.
• Hanham Mount - Mount Hill Road near the Kingswood area, where John Wesley and George Whitefield preached their earliest open-air sermons in 1738. The mount is topped by a beacon which sends out a green light over the surrounding countryside. Eastwards from the beacon is a path leading to a replica of Wesley's school pulpit, dedicated in 1983.

Among the places which have disappeared through town centre redevelopment are the Bristol Central Hall and Newgate Prison in Little Wine Street which Wesley regularly visited. A shopping complex has been built but a plaque on the wall gives the historical significance. Also the bishop's palace where John Wesley had an interview with Bishop Butler, who told him he had no business to preach in his diocese, and Number 6 Dighton Street, the home of Dr Castleman, where Wesley ordained Dr Thomas Coke - his final breach with the Anglican Church.

Information

The New Room

Opening Times: Monday to Saturday: 10 am - 4 pm all year (except February this year 11 am - 2.30 pm). Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Services and concerts: Evening and lunchtime concerts and drama are held throughout the year and special services are held in Lent and Advent and on Wesley Day, May 24. Lenten services this year are on Thursdays from 1.10 pm - 1.45 pm beginning on March 9 and every week until Maundy Thursday (April 20) when the New Room warden, the Rev Dr John A Newton, will conduct Holy Communion. This year's Wesley Day celebrations begin at 7.30 am with Holy Communion followed by breakfast and continue at 1.10 pm with a lunchtime concert, at 5.30 pm with a lecture by the Dean of Norwich, the Very Rev Stephen Platten, and conclude at 7.30 pm with Music for the Millennium - a celebration of new compositions for Wesley texts.

Tour rates: £2.50 per person (£1.25 aged three - 13); £4 combined entry for New Room and Charles Wesley's House.

Groups: Groups are given a talk and are then free to wander throughout the building. It is best to allow an hour for a visit and add £1 if tour outside normal opening times. Groups should contact Mr Mark Topping at the New Room for more information and a group booking form. Some concessions are available. If visiting individually, there is no need to contact beforehand. Toilet facilities are available. Disabled access to ground floor from Broadmead.

Shop: A varied selection of Wesleyana and souvenirs, including gifts and publications, is available. It is situated upstairs.

Sandwich bars, cafes and restaurants can be found in the vicinity together with the usual high street shops.

How to get there

By Mainline Rail: Bristol Temple Meads mainline railway station. Taxi (usual fare about £2.50) or regular bus service, marked "Town centre", from the station into Broadmead. It is 20 minutes' walk - consult map in station foyer.

By Bus/Coach: National bus/coach service into Bristol coach station. Two minutes' walk into Broadmead and the shopping centre.

By Car: The M32 comes into the centre of Bristol. Three nearby car parks.

Who's who at the New Room/Charles Wesley heritage centre

• The Rev Frank Topping (warden);
• Mr Mark Topping (custodian);
• Mr Scott Kisker (director, Charles Wesley Heritage centre)

Charles Wesley's House (now heritage centre)

Opening Times: By arrangement.

Address: Charles Wesley's House and heritage centre, 4/5 Charles Street, Bristol BS1 3NN. Charles Street is situated near the bus station in Marlborough Street.

Tours: Tours of the house are usually arranged in conjunction with the New Room, the combined charge being £4. The charge is £2 for the house alone, plus £1 outside normal opening times. It is best to allow three-quarters of an hour for a visit.

Note: There is a 10-minute walk from the New Room to the house across the Horsefair. In the house itself there are a great many stairs to climb.

Groups: Group bookings should be made to Mr Mark Topping at the New Room. Some concessions available.

The Friends of the New Room and Charles Wesleyıs House and heritage centre

The Friends make a minimum annual contribution of £7.50 for the care and maintenance of the building. They receive regular newsletters, are kept informed of concerts and events and are entitled to join any tour of the house. Anyone wishing to become a Friend should send their name and address, together with a cheque made payable to "John Wesley's Chapel", to Joyce E Brown, Friends secretary, 23 Bronescombe Avenue, Bishopsteignton, Teignmouth, Devon TQ14 9SR.

Wesley College

Opening Times: Monday to Friday: 9 am - 5 pm. Other times by arrangement. Free admission. Library and archive centre contain Wesleyana and curiosity-value artefacts, including John Wesley's razor and 3,000 pre-1851 books, pamphlets and tracts relating to early Methodist controversies. It is possible to become an occasional user of the library in return for a modest fee. The college subscribes to a large number of scholarly journals and theological periodicals representing most of the major Christian traditions. For information contact the librarian.

How to get there

Address: Wesley College, College Park Drive, Henbury Road, Bristol BS10 7QD, tel 0117 959 1200, fax 0117 950 1277. Telephone the college for directions. The principal is the Rev Dr Neil Richardson.

Kingswood School, Bath

Opening Times: During school terms, by arrangement. Admission is free, but donations welcome. The Wesley centre at the school has displays illustrating the origin and growth of Kingswood School. Displays include Wesleyana, memorabilia and models. It is preferable anyone intending to visit the centre should contact the archivist, Mr David Brown, to make an appointment, tel 01225 734200. A tour of the school can also be arranged. Coach parties, with cream teas, can be catered for.

Facilities: Toilet facilities are available. No disabled toilets. Stairs to Wesley centre.

How to get there

Address: Kingswood School, Lansdown Road, Bath, Somerset BA1 5RG, tel 01225 734352. Telephone inquiries should be made to the school secretary who will give details of the exact location of the school. There is a mainline rail station at Bath.

Other Methodist sites in Bristol

Details of the other Methodist sites in Bristol mentioned here and how to get there, together with others, can be obtained from the New Room, tel 0117 926 4740. It is possible to arrange for occasional guided tours.