WESLEY’S TREE BREAKS DOWN
THE tree where it is said that the Father of Methodism preached has blown down.
The Hawthorn situated next to the Weardale Museum in Ireshopeburn where John Wesley
preached to upper Dalefolk, has broken its bough. It was discovered by Jeff Robinson, originally from
the village and now living in St John’s Chapel. His wife, Louise, a keen photographer who has taken
pictures of the tree and the commemorative plaque nearby, for many years, took these photographs
of the scene yesterday.
Indeed, it was Louise who broke the news in the same week that the hardworking Trustees of the
Weardale Museum and High House Methodist chapel revealed they had won substantial grant
funding to preserve both for future generations.
It was in 1752 that John Wesley visited Ireshopeburn and crowds gathered to hear him preach
beside the Hawthorn tree. His form of evangelism quickly gathered pace and in 1760, High House
Methodist Chapel was built near to the tree. It held services regularly, at least weekly, until 2019,
making it the oldest one of its kind to hold regular services in the world.
Sadly, it closed in 2019 but with the tenacity of the Trustees, it is set to re-open after extensive
repairs and a refurbishment is completed sometime next year.
In the meantime, the Hawthorn looks to be beyond help but who knows? Many folk thought the
chapel was too but it is set to spring back to life in the near future.
Let’s hope the Hawthorn tree does likewise.
