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Who was John Wesley? Religious Reformer. Date and Place of Birth: 17th June 1703, Epworth, Lincolnshire, England. Family Background: Son of a Rector. Education: Charterhouse, London. Christchurch College, Oxford. Chronology: 1725: Ordained as an Deacon. 1726: Became a Fellow of Lincoln College and a lecturer in Greek. 1728: Ordained as a priest. At Oxford the group which he lead, which had grown up round his brother Charles Wesley were given the nickname the Oxford Methodists 1730: James Hervey and George Whirefield joined the Methodist group. 1735: Death of their father. John and Charles went on a missionary journey to Georgia, USA, but they were not made welcome by the Colonists and eventually returned to England in 1738. 1738: John met Peter Bohler of the Moravians who became a big influence on him and he attended Moravian meetings in Aldersgate Street, London. At one of these he became convinced of salvation whilst listening to Martin Luther's preface to the Epistle of the Romans. His new energy to bring the idea of salvation to others caused consternation amongst the local population and in particular the clergy who closed their pulpits to him. 1739: He founded his first Methodist Chapel at Bristol and he bought a foundry in Moorfields, London where he also set up a chapel. This building became his headquarters. Up to 30,000 people would wait to hear him preach here and he became particularly important to, and loved by, the labouring classes. He began to travel widely, (He covered over 250,00 miles and preached over 40,000 sermons in his life). 1743: John Nelson and John Downes, two of his advance agents went to Trewint in Cornwall and took refreshment at the house of Digory Isbell a stonemason. Digory was not in at the time but the strangers antics and prayers caused Elizabeth to relate the story to Digory. 1744: John himself was entertained in the house at Trewint by Digory who set up a Prophet's Chamber in his honour. Trewint became a flourishing Methodist Society. 1745: He broke with the Moravians as he was determined that his movement should remain within the Church of England which it did for the rest of his life. 1776: His wife Mary left him. 1778: Founded the Methodist Magazine and was responsible for writing many other works such as histories, biographies and collections of psalms and hymns. These works were all very popular and the money made in royalties all went to charity. He founded charitable institutions in Newcastle and London and founded the Kingswood School in Bristol. Written Works: 1739: “Hymns and Sacred Poems”. 1744: “A Collection of Psalms and Hymns”. 1771: “Collected Prose Work”. 1788: “A Collection of Psalms and Hymns”. (Updated). Marriage: 1751 to Mary Vazeille a widow. Places of Interest: AVON: Lodged at 2 Broad Street when visiting Bath. Laid foundation stone of Methodist Chapel in New King Street in 1777. CORNWALL: John Wesley Museum and Prayer Rooms, Trewint. LONDON: John Wesley Chapel, Finsbury. Date and Place of Death: 2nd March 1791, London, England. Age at Death: 87. Site of Grave: John Wesley Chapel, City Road, Finsbury, London, England.