IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Mowbray Court, DONCASTER, DN9 1SR

Looking east.

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.

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.

Built in 1709. Birthplace of John and Charles Wesley, founders of the Methodist movement. http://www.methodistheritage.org.uk/theoldrectory.htm

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.

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.

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.