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Information Board near The Old Rectory, Epworth
This photo shows the information board on a building adjacent to The Old Rectory. It shows a map of Epworth village on the left, while on the right it refers to Explore Epworth, the Home of The Wesleys, and has the following wording below:
Epworth Old Rectory
Epworth Old Rectory was built in 1709 - at a cost of £400 - to replace the
previous thatch and timber building which was burnt down during the "Great
Fire of February 1709" deliberately because the Rector, Samuel Wesley was not
popular.
The young John Wesley who was only five and a half years old at this time, was
rescued from the first floor window just before certain death in the inferno
and was immediately referred to by his mother as "a brand plucked from the
burning". This traumatic experience was to stay with him for the rest of his
life. There are pictures in Epworth Old Rectory depicting this event.
After the death of Samuel in 1735 the Wesleys had to move out of the Old
Rectory. The house remained the home of the rectors of Epworth until 1954 when
the British Methodist Church purchased it. It was first opened to the public
in 1957 as a museum and place of hospitality. The house forms part of the
charitable operations of the World Methodist Council.
During the guided tour you will see furniture in the style of the period.
There are also collections of memorabilia, such as prints and paintings. The
house is open to the public from the beginning of March to the end of October.
One of the most curious aspects of Epworth Old Rectory is the legend of Old
Jeffery, a mischievous poltergeist who is known to have plagued the Wesley
family with his tricks. He is named after an old man who died at the house.
After your tour why not visit the shop and gardens including the physic
garden? There are also special events and tours throughout the year, so call
in and find out more.
After your tour of the Wesley's former home, retrace your steps to the Market
Place and from there onto the Wesley Memorial Methodist Church where the final
chapter of Epworth's Wesleyan history will unfold.
Image: © David Hillas
Taken: 18 Jul 2019
0.04 miles
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On Peatland's Way - Entering Epworth from the S
Image: © Colin Park
Taken: 13 Aug 2019
0.04 miles
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The Old Rectory
This is the home in which the Rector of the parish of St. Andrew, Epworth, Samuel Wesley and his wife Susanna brought up their sons, John and Charles Wesley, who went on to develop the Methodist movement.
Image: © Graham Hogg
Taken: 8 Sep 2015
0.04 miles
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The Old Rectory, Epworth
Built in 1709. Birthplace of John and Charles Wesley, founders of the Methodist movement. http://www.methodistheritage.org.uk/theoldrectory.htm
Image: © Tim Heaton
Taken: 23 Oct 2015
0.05 miles
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Meadow next to Old Rectory, Epworth
Image: © nick macneill
Taken: 23 Sep 2001
0.05 miles
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Information Panel inside The Old Rectory, Epworth
This information panel with a box below containing two door keys, dates from June 1957 when this old rectory was opened to the public to look round. It is located inside the entrance hall and has the following wording:
EPWORTH OLD RECTORY
Built in the year 1709 by the Rev. Samuel Wesley
Rector of this Parish
and father of John and Charles Wesley.
on the site of the earlier rectory which was
destroyed by fire in February of that year.
Used as the residence of the rectors of this parish
until the year 1954.
Bought and restored by gifts from the
British and American Methodist Churches.
OPENED and DEDICATED
as the property of the
World Methodist Council
on the 29th of June 1957
by
The President of the Council:- The Rev. Dr. Harold Roberts.
The Past President of the Council:- Bishop Ivan Lee Holt.
The Secretaries of the Council:- The Rev. Dr. Elmer T.Clark
The Rev. Dr. E. Benson Perkins.
and the Lord Bishop of Lincoln:- The Right Rev. Dr. Kenneth Riches.
President of the British Methodist Conference:-
The Rev.Dr. H Crawford Walters.
Superintendent of the Circuit:-
The Rev. W. Le Cato Edwards.
Architect:-
Thomas Rayson Esq. F.R.I.B.A
Builders:-
Walter Firth Ltd.
Image: © David Hillas
Taken: 18 Jul 2019
0.05 miles
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Jeffrey's Chamber in The Old Rectory, Epworth
This photo shows the attic in the Old Rectory where produce was stored over the winter and flax was dried. The room was named after the poltergeist who haunted the Rectory in December 1716 and the following January. John Wesley's sisters named the ghost after an itinerant worker, Jeffery, who had worked for the family and died some time before the strange happenings. The display cabinets on the right of the photo contain changing exhibitions including ceramic figures and busts mainly of John Wesley, china from the 18th century and commemorative plates from all over the world.
Image: © David Hillas
Taken: 18 Jul 2019
0.05 miles
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The Old Rectory, Epworth
Located at one Rectory Street DN9 1HX, this rectory is a Queen Anne style building, having been rebuilt after a fire in 1709 and subsequently restored. It was the home of the Rev Samuel Wesley, his wife Susanna and their nineteen children, one of whom John Wesley, grew up to be a founder of the Methodist Church. In 1954, it was purchased by the British Methodist Church, who maintain it as a museum and is open to the public to look round it from March to October.
Image: © David Hillas
Taken: 18 Jul 2019
0.05 miles
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Epworth Rectory
The rebuilt rectory from 1709, the earlier building having been destroyed by fire, possibly an arson attack.
Samuel Wesley brought up his family here, including sons John, Charles and Samuel. All become priests in the Church of England and it wasn't until after their death that the Methodist movement emerrged from their teaching - especially the open air preaching of Charles and John, both of whom were prolific writers of hymns.
More about the building at; http://www.epwortholdrectory.org.uk/ and; http://www.methodistheritage.org.uk/theoldrectory.htm
Image: © Chris Morgan
Taken: 8 Sep 2015
0.05 miles
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The Old Rectory in Epworth
Famously the home of The Wesley family out of which emerged both John and Charles Wesley - prime founders of the Methodist religious movement.
Image: © Neil Theasby
Taken: 24 Oct 2015
0.06 miles