John Wesley Historical Marker
New Road Baptist Church, Bonn Square, Oxford, OX1 1LQ, GB
Details
At the New Road Baptist Church in Bonn Square, you'll find a historical marker dedicated to John Wesley, a figure pivotal to Oxford's religious and academic landscape. Wesley, along with his brother Charles, was instrumental in the rise of Methodism, and his journey began right here in Oxford. He entered Christ Church as an undergraduate in 1720, was later ordained, and became a Fellow of Lincoln College in 1726. It was at Lincoln College that John joined a small group initiated by Charles, which focused on regular study and religious devotion; this very group was the genesis of Methodism. They were known by various nicknames, including the 'Holy Club', before 'Methodists' eventually stuck, a testament to their disciplined approach to faith and works.
Wesley's influence extended beyond the college walls, as he was periodically invited to preach at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. His final sermon there in 1744, "Scriptural Christianity," was a notable critique of the University's spiritual state. Although he left Oxford in 1735, his connection to the city endured. He returned to preach in Oxford, and by 1783, the first Methodist preaching house had opened in New Inn Hall Street, described by Wesley as a "lightsome, cheerful place." The historical marker in Bonn Square stands as a reminder of his significant impact on the city and the wider Christian world, originating from his formative years and early ministry within Oxford's historic academic setting.
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