Epworth Old Rectory

The Reverend Samuel Wesley became Anglican rector of Epworth in 1695, and also nearby of Wroot in 1722. Here his wife, Susanna, bore him at least 19 children, although only seven daughters and three sons - Samuel Jr, John and Charles - survived to adulthood. Susanna educated all her children diligently and instilled in them the methodical approach that would later characterise her sons' approach to religion.

The town of Epworth is located on the 'Isle of Axholme': higher ground in a landscape of canals and dykes. This, originally Dutch, engineering is reflected in the styling of the town's post-office building. Today's elegant Queen Anne rectory, with its 'glebe' and set in pretty gardens, was built in 1709 to replace the family's original house, which was destroyed by fire. John Wesley, aged only 6, had to be dramatically rescued: 'a brand plucked from the burning'. The family continued to live here until Samuel Wesley Snr died in 1735.

When John, by then an itinerant preacher, returned in 1742, he found a 'religious society' already established. He was to return to preach in Epworth every other year until 1790 - staying at the Red Lion Inn and preaching from the Market Cross.

The Rectory was purchased by the British Methodist Church with assistance from Methodist Churches around the world in 1954. It was restored and opened to the public in 1957. A major redevelopment project is planned to restore the house to how it looked in 1716 and provide improved visitor facilities.

The 'John Wesley Physic Garden', a walled garden featuring plants from John Wesley's book 'Primitive Physic: an Easy and Natural Method of Curing Most Diseases' , was opened in 2006.