Norfolk: New Methodist heritage centre opens at Wighton

The East Anglia Methodist Heritage Centre at Wighton, between Wells and Walsingham, tells the story of the church and its influence on East Anglia over more than two centuries.

It was officially opened the Rev Julian Pursehouse, chair of the East Anglia Methodist District.

Inside the new Methodist museum at Wighton (Image: East Anglia Methodist Heritage Centre)

Housed in a former chapel, it will be open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11am to 3pm throughout the summer.

"This new heritage centre is for people who are curious to find out about what happens in the numerous Methodist chapels which can be found all over East Anglia," said volunteer Sarah Friswell.

"Many still have active worshipping congregations. Others say they are primitive, others say Wesleyan and may have been re-purposed.

"You can discover the links between Methodists and education, social justice and the trade union movement.

Volunteer Sarah Friswell inside the new centre at Wighton (Image: East Anglia Methodist Heritage Centre)

"Perhaps you had a Methodist in the family in the past, and want to know more.

"The Heritage Centre has many stories to tell through its exhibits and displays."

Admission is free to the centre, on the village High Street.

Groups visit can be arranged on request by calling (07546) 732092 or e-mailing eamethodistheritage@gmail.com.

The new East Anglia Methodist Heritage Centre at Wighton, near Wells (Image: East Anglia Methodist Heritage Centre)

Centuries of history 

John and Charles Wesley came to Norwich in 1754. Preaching in the open on Timberhill, they attracted a large crowd.

Despite attacks and disturbances from the Bell Hotel and butchers from their slaughter houses in Ber Street, a congregation was formed.

The Wesleys preached 'Christian perfection'. Methodists believe holiness is not about wanting to be 'holier than thou'. It is about wanting the love of God to permeate all of our life, and for that love to be shown through our lives to other people.

John Wesley, whose preaching began the spread of Methodism in East Anglia (Image: George Romney, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Methodist congregations spread quickly, encouraged by visits of John Wesley to King’s Lynn, Thetford, Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds and many villages.

His last visit in October 1790 saw an exhausting itinerary around East Anglia.

The aging figure had to be supported on each side while he stood to preach and died four months later.

The early 19th century saw huge open-air revival meetings in Staffordshire with many converts.

Two of the founders of a Methodist Sunday School at Wighton (Image: East Anglia Methodist Heritage Centre)

Wesleyan ministers disapproved of these gatherings, fearing disorder, so the organisers were expelled from the Methodist organisation.

As a result, in 1811, a group was formed, calling itself Primitive Methodist.

Primitive Methodist missionaries reached King’s Lynn in 1820. From there the denomination spread through Norfolk.

A hymm sheet from the former Methodist chapel at Wighton (Image: East Anglia Methodist Heritage Centre)

Eventually chapels were built so many villages had both a Wesleyan Methodist and a Primitive Methodist chapel.

Later Primitive Methodists became active in the Agricultural Trade Union organization.

All the Methodist groups united in 1932, becoming The Methodist Church.