John Wesley's Chapel

Yabe

not easy to spot, but worth searching for 15th October 2008

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Situated in the heart of Broadmead, Bristol's shopping precinct, yet not very visible.

This large chapel was the base of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism and brother of Charles Wesley, the well-known hymn writer.

It has been restored to (what we are told) its original condition, with authentic colour schemes and furniture.
The ground floor worship hall has many wooden pews and gives a good impression of what it must have felt like to sit in Wesley's congregation.

On the first floor are the former offices, ancillary rooms and living accommodation of the chapel. There is also a gift shop here which stocks a range of worship-related items and church music.

One side of the building faces onto Broadmead, whilst the other side faces the Horsefair. When the chapel is open you can actually walk through it from one street to the other. The Horsefair end is a bit neglected and although there is a little garden area here, it is shady, dark, dismal and in need of improvement. The owners (trustees) of the chapel now have plans to revitalise this area and make it more attractive.

If you are a Methodist are are interested in Wesley or the architecture of a plain, simple place of worship, this is one destination that is worth seeing.