'Wesley day' to provide boost for museum's restoration

An antiques event will be taking place on Saturday July 24 when people are being invited to bring along items relating to either the Wesley family, the Old Rectory itself or Methodism in the Epworth area to a special Wesleyana Day.

The Rev Claire Potter, museum curator, said: "We'll have a team of experts on hand to advise people about their memorabilia but we regret that we'll not be able to offer valuations."

The event will run from 10am until 4.30pm and refreshments will be available throughout the day. In addition, the Wesleyana Day will also be hosting a second-hand book sale to help raise funds for a major development project proposed for the elegant Grade 1 listed building.

As reported by the Yorkshire Post, plans are in hand to restore the Old Rectory – known throughout the world as the birthplace of John and Charles Wesley, who founded the Methodist movement – to how it would have looked in 1716.

Under the scheme rooms will be returned to how they would have been when the Wesley family lived there, with period furniture, furnishings and artifacts telling the story of the family's lives. The proposals also include a purpose built visitors' centre to house a museum shop, caf and other facilities. The will also be improved parking facilities.

It was inside the rectory walls that the Methodist religion was conceived, spearheaded by brothers John and Charles Wesley.

They both attended Oxford University, where Charles formed the Holy Club, a fellowship group for Christians that was soon nicknamed the Methodists by other students because of its methodical approach to religion.

The restoration plans were given renewed impetus last year, when – 300 years after the Rectory was rebuilt in 1709 after a fire – a discovery was made that breathed new life into the project.

Wallpaper that could date back to 1716 – when the Wesley family still lived there – was found in a cavity under the garret stairs by an archaeologist. The discovery was seen as a boost to the campaign to refurbish the home to its early 18th century appearance.