Wolsingham's Methodist roots run incredibly deep, and this gorgeous church is just the tip of such rich religious history. This might influence why this is such a stunning building, replacing an older and more conservative chapel in 1836 right next door behind the front of the street.

Wesley, like Allendale and Tyneside, visited here many times to preach. He'd stand on a stone pulpit just over the road from this building. Whitfield House, which I shared earlier today, was directly next to it. Their first meeting house was next to this same house, built in 1776 and certainly used by John himself.

This glorious neo-gothic building was erected in 1862, the third official Wesleyan church in the village. It's far more grand than the one it replaced, which is far more typical of the Georgian period it was built in though features a pretty sundial on its front elevation. This one opened hand in hand with the Attwood's huge new ironworks just east, and could accommodate a far greater congregation with capacity for up to 400 worshippers. As a result, it underpinned much worship not just in Wolsingham but the surrounding areas where folk from the more rural quarries could spend their time. It was defined as a "model chapel" for such a country circuit.

The chapel was designed by James Wilson esq., an architect of great pedigree from Bath who designed other Wesleyan chapels, though Anglicans also offered him work. This was probably his northernmost and seemingly missed off of most lists you find as his great projects were down south. Examples of his can be found mostly at his hometown and wider Dorset.