Wesley Historical Society
The Methodist Historical Society – East Anglia (formerly Wesley Historical Society) encourages an interest in our Methodist heritage through its recently opened Heritage Centre and through its regular meetings.
East Anglia Methodist Heritage Centre at Wighton Chapel (NR23 1PG).
IMPORTANT UPDATE - The Heritage Centre is now closed for the winter. We aim to re-open at Easter 2025. Thank you for your support in 2024.
A former Chapel, situated in the small village of Wighton between Wells-next-the-Sea and Walsingham in Norfolk, has been converted into a fascinating museum, telling the story of the Methodist church and its influence on East Anglia over the past two hundred years. The Heritage Centre is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11 am to 3 pm. It is accessible and is free to visit.
The exhibits are themed with artefacts and interpretation focussing on the growth of the church; children and youth work; music; overseas work with a fascinating collection of ceramics, pictures and historic objects. The Heritage Centre houses a reference library of books about the history of Methodism, both nationally and in East Anglia. Visitors can browse an A to Z of chapels with photos, event leaflets, orders of service and other ephemera.
Donations are welcome. Refreshments and a toilet are available. There is parking alongside the chapel. Groups visits to the Heritage Centre can be arranged on request (07546 732 092 or ).
The East Anglia Methodist Heritage Centre works closely with Walsingham Methodist Chapel, the oldest Methodist Chapel in East Anglia.
Fundraising appeal 2024/2025
We are excited about the next phase of the life of Wighton Chapel and the Heritage Centre. We plan to install an accessible toilet, walk-in store room and extend the space available for our Library. WE NEED YOUR HELP. Please see our Appeal leaflet for more information. If you are able to support our appeal, and are a UK Tax payer, please consider Gift-Aid on your donation (Gift Aid form).
Regular meetings
Membership is open to all and the annual UK subscription is £10 (cheques payable to Wesley Historical Society – East Anglia). We meet on Saturday afternoons in May and September at locations across the East Anglia District. Meetings take the form of lectures and are often at places of Methodist historical interest. Past meetings have included a talk on Sir George Edwards, The Musical Wesleys -a talk illustrated with musical extracts, viewing the Methodist Art Collection with expert guidance, and seeing a magnificent model of The Temple. We cater for all levels of interest from those with a scholarly knowledge of our Methodist heritage to those who simply enjoy seeing different parts of our District. Common to all our meetings is good fellowship and a good old fashioned Methodist tea!
Members receive our Journal, which has transcripts of lectures and items on people, places and events that have shaped our Methodist heritage in East Anglia.
To join, or for further information, please contact:
Ursula Franklin
15, Meadow Way
Hellesdon,
Norwich
NR6 5NW
Tel: 01603 423535
For a list of the Wesley Historical Society Publications please Click Here.