Wesley's Chapel and Leysian Mission

Who we are

Wesley’s Chapel was built in 1778 by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. It was designed by the architect George Dance the Younger, the surveyor of the City of London. Wesley described his chapel as “perfectly neat but not fine” and it is a fine example of Georgian architecture. It was the first Methodist preaching house to allow for the celebration of Holy Communion.

In 1891 the chapel was transformed to commemorate the centenary of Wesley’s death. Jasper pillars were donated from Methodist churches around the world to replace the original ships’ masts donated by George III. Oak pews were also added and the stained glass too.

On November 1st 1978, after a five-year closure due to a serious structural problem, and exactly 200 years after Wesley opened the Chapel, the buildings were reopened in grand style in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.

In 1989 Wesley’s Chapel and the nearby Leysian Mission joined together. Today the chapel is a thriving place, serving a membership of hundreds of people drawn from every continent of the globe. It has an active programme of community outreach work and receives thousands of pilgrims and visitors who come each year to visit the Mother Church of World Methodism.

Wesley’s Chapel works in a covenant relationship with the parish church of St. Giles, Cripplegate, and in the closest of relationships with local Roman Catholic, Welsh Presbyterian, and Quaker congregations. John Wesley famously said that he considered the whole world to be his parish. Nowadays, the whole world seems to live in his parish and many of them worship at the Chapel which bears his name.

Our culture and values

Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission is a thriving, inclusive, diverse and active Methodist Church and Circuit and a significant historic site in Central London. As the first Methodist Church built in London, and the headquarters of John Wesley, the site includes: the Chapel, the Museum of Methodism, John Wesley’s House, John Wesley’s tomb, as well as meeting rooms, offices and a resident community.