Summary

Monument to John Wesley, mid-C20 incorporating part of a former C18 sundial.

Description

Monument to John Wesley, mid-C20 incorporating part of a former C18 sundial.

MATERIAL: limestone; metal plaque

DESCRIPTION: the monument stands about 1.8m high and comprises an C18 pillar erected on a two-step base surmounted by a square abacus. It carries a carved triangular stone bearing a mid-C20 commemorative metal plaque which reads: THE REV. JOHN WESLEY / (1703-1791) RENOWNED EVANGELIST AND / FOUNDER OF METHODISM / PREACHED IN THIS VICINITY / ON SOME OF HIS FREQUENT VISITS TO WEARDALE.

History

John Wesley (1703-1791) was a founder of Methodism and a significant and influential religious figure in the latter part of the C18. He preached extensively throughout Britain for 50 years and a significant characteristic of his ministry was that he often preached in the open air. Between 1752 and 1790 he made regular twice-yearly trips to Weardale, and is said to have stopped off at up to five village greens a day to give outdoor sermons to the unconverted. In his first visit to Ireshopeburn he preached beneath a thorn bush. Weardale was well provisioned with methodist chapels and that at Ireshopeburn High House, which opened in 1760, became the centre of Methodism in the area. This monument was erected in the 1950s adjacent to High House to mark the fact that John Wesley preached in the vicinity. It is thought to be formed of the pedestal of an C18 sundial.

Reasons for Listing

The John Wesley Monument of mid-C20 date incorporating part of an C18 former sundial, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Architectural interest:

* a simply-designed monument, that utilises to good effect the base of an C18 sundial.

Historic interest:

* an important reminder of the influential preaching of the leading Methodist, John Wesley.

Group value:

* it benefits from a spatial group value with a handful of listed buildings at the east end of the village of Ireshopeburn, including High House Chapel, the centre of Methodism in the area.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26523356

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Cornwall (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)