Wesley Memorial Church, Oxford

It is only natural that Oxford should wish to honour one of its illustrious sons and the Wesley Memorial Church is dedicated to John Wesley who was closely connected with the city.

John and his brother, Charles, were the founders of the Methodist movement and John went on to promote Christianity throughout England, in Ireland and in North America. John was also a keen abolitionist and under his guidance many influential Methodists spoke out against the slave trade.

The church stands on New Inn Hall Street, opposite the site of the Methodist Meeting House where John Wesley preached in 1783. It was built in 1887 in the Gothic style by Joshua Symm from designs by the architect, Charles Bell.

The capitals of the pillars represent 12 different English plants and were carved by Henry Frith. The beautiful window in the East Gallery features English wildflowers and is a memorial to Reverend Maunder who was to be the 1st minister of the new church, but who died before the building was completed.

The second stained-glass window shows the Risen Lord with Simeon and Anna, the third window represents Charity, Faith and Hope, the virtues that John Wesley lived by.

The tapestry on the south side of the Sanctuary was commissioned by the Higman family as a memorial to family members and was created by Pat Russel. The organ, which was installed in 1878, was built by Nicholson’s of Worcester.