METHODISTS CELEBRATES 250TH ANNIVERSARY

Cornerstone Methodist Church has held a series of events to celebrate 250 years of Methodism in Horsham. 

Highlights included a special service, with preacher Peter Bramhill wearing traditional clerical attire as he delivered a sermon as John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. This was one of several events held during ‘Wesley Weekend’ in May, which also included a radio play and a lunch for the congregation of the three Cornerstone Methodist Churches in the District –London Road in Horsham, St Andrew’s in Roffey, and Partridge Green.

Deacon Sarah Eastol said: ‘John Wesley’s Forty-Four Sermons is a foundational text of the Methodist movement, with preachers required to study at least one of its sermons in depth. As part of our anniversary celebrations, Peter delivered an abridged version of a famous sermon that focuses on the church’s mission, using original text from the mid-18th Century.

‘While such events have a novelty value, we hope they will also raise the profile of Methodism, helping more local people to understand what is different about the Church. Wesley was very inclusive for his time and broke convention. He fought for social justice by establishing schools for the poor and promoting healthcare, even publishing medical handbooks, as he believed that medicine should be accessible to all. He organised the working classes too, and the trade union movement in the UK is largely derived from Methodism. 

‘The church has evolved over the past 250 years. However, Methodism remains a grass-roots form of Christianity passionate about social justice. We support LGBTQ+ inclusion and celebrate same-sex marriages, and were among the first Christian denominations to allow women preachers. Anybody who feels a call to preach can become a Methodist preacher, while our Communion Table is open to all, regardless of background.’

WARM FEELING

The Methodist Church was founded by Anglican clergyman and brothers John and Charles Wesley, in the mid-18th Century. Although it was the elder brother who became the eventual figurehead, Charles played a pivotal role too. He is also remembered as a hymn writer, with perhaps his best-known being Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, derived from a composition by Mendelssohn. 

John was inspired to found Methodism after travelling to Georgia (in what was then known as the American colonies) as a Christian missionary. Here, he met Moravian settlers and was struck by their deep faith, inner strength and the conviction of their preaching methods. Having returned home questioning his faith, Wesley felt his heart “strangely warmed” during a Moravian meeting in Aldersgate Street, London. This was to become an important event in the founding of the Methodist Church.

A short time later, he delivered a sermon of his own, based on personal salvation by faith. Wesley’s sermons, often conducted in open spaces, particularly connected with the working classes and Church of England dissenters, leading to the formation of the Methodist Society of England. The first Methodist chapels appeared in the early 1740s, and the Wesley brothers attracted more converts as they travelled around the country by horse and cart, giving open-air sermons. 

Although Methodists adopted many traditional elements of Christianity, some of their views brought them into conflict with the established order. John Wesley’s views could now be perceived as progressive, as he spoke out about the slave trade, supported women preachers and warned of the dangers of alcohol abuse (Methodists were pioneers in the teetotal temperance movement).

The first mention of Methodism in Horsham dates back to 1776, making this year the 250th anniversary.  A preacher from Rudgwick held outside meetings near the Town Hall. Services were later held in a barn on Hampers Farm, near the rail station. However, it wasn’t until the 1830s that Methodism became a more significant movement in the town, when Miss Kate Ireland bought land in London Road with the purpose of building a chapel, which opened in 1832. 

The success of the church’s Sunday School led to the original chapel being demolished in 1881, with a new one built in 1883. Further chapels were built in Roffey (this became St Andrew’s) Rusham’s Road (which closed in 1911) and East Street (closed in 1933). Of those built in the surrounding villages, only Partridge Green (built 1906) remains. In Horsham, the Wesleyan Sunday School was hugely popular, with 223 children and 16 teachers recorded in 1895. The Wesley Guild was well-attended too, hosting talks, lectures and outings, while the Wesley Guild Orchestra attracted musicians from around the town. The Horsham Teachers Centre was founded at London Road in 1904, helping many women become teachers, as well as girls wishing to continue their education. This centre provided the foundation for the Horsham High School for Girls, based at the church until Tanbridge House was bought in 1924. When the church celebrated 100 years of worship at London Road in 1932, it had an evening congregation of around 250 people, along with a thriving youth club, choir, and hockey and gym clubs.

In 1961, the Young Wives Club was founded, with a créche running for over 30 years. In 1972, a playgroup was founded by Anne Roos, wife of Revd Eddie Roos. To cope with the demand for places, a new Wesley Hall was built, providing more space for the Sunday School and the various organisations using the building. The Church has continued to support a wide range of events and activities, founding the Horsham Christian Centre (instrumental in building Horsham YMCA) and hosting the Community Fridge. In 2023, the church was given a new name, with Cornerstone Methodist Church bringing together London Road, St Andrew’s in Roffey and Partridge Green Methodist Church. The Meeting Place was opened too, hosting the Connecting Café on Tuesdays.

RADIO STARS

As well as Peter Bramhill’s sermon as John Welsey, London Road also hosted a radio play as part of its Wesley Weekend. The Wesley Story was based on the life of Susanna Wesley, mother of John and Charles. The play begins with John aged six, with the family trying to stop a fire at the Rectory where they live. The script was created using AI, based on an original play now believed lost. 

Sarah said: ‘When we talked about the 250th anniversary, a member of our congregation remembered performing a play about Susanna Wesley at Tenterden Methodist church. Unfortunately, nobody could find it! The community came together in an attempt to track it down. However, its writer had passed away and a copy never materialised. I used an AI programme to re-write the play, based on what people could recall of it, and this was later edited by people who made it much better! As for our 250th celebrations, we are also organising a songwriting and poetry competition, with entries performed at a ‘Born in Song Concert’ in September. We are also planning a 5km walk around Horsham in September, giving people a chance to learn about the role that Methodists have played in the town’s history.’

Further information: Find out more about Cornerstone Methodists Church at www.cornerstone-mc.org.uk

Article first published on 1st July 2026. Photos: Alan Wright Photography; Words: Ben Morris