Wesley Memorial Church, Oxford

On Monday morn I caught a train down to Oxford. Looking around and minding my own business, I was surpised to encounter a lad I used to teach, who excitedly knocked on his bus window and waved while I was photographing the martyrs’ memorial. Oxford is a wonderfully attractive city and awash with interesting places and things to see, its crowded pavements groaning with tourists; I assuaged my irritation by reminding myself that I was part of the problem. I therefore sought sanctuary in the relatively quiet and peaceful surroundings of the Wesley Memorial Church, the city’s main Methodist chapel. ‘Chapel’ may not be the right word, seeing as it looks more ‘Anglican’ than many C of E buildings, and more ecclesiastical than nonconformist. Its architecture is pure gothic in all its pointed and swirling magnificence. John and Charles Wesley have powerful connections to Oxford, of course; though neither were converted while they lived here (Methodists, take note), their subsequent faith was prepared and informed by their diligent studying and youthful, methodical piety. Wesley Memorial’s website coos:

Our vibrant Methodist Church in the heart of Oxford, the historic university city where John and Charles Wesley began the Methodist movement. We are open-minded in our faith and deeply committed to following Jesus Christ, and building his kingdom. We are called to be a growing, inclusive, evangelistic and justice seeking church

Although I do not doubt that such a church would thrive in this place, I note the progressive buzzwords inserted into the spiel: ‘open-minded’, ‘inclusive’, ‘justice’. This church, like many others, blends into this fabulous city, not just in the sense of dreamy spires (of which its own contribution is impressive) but in terms of liberal, progressive ideology. Its builders helped it to combine with the city’s high Anglicanism, and its current managers nicely merge into the kind of Christianity which might just be acceptable to fresh-faced young Britons with their woke opinions and world views.

"I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid, lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case, unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out."

-John Wesley, Thoughts Upon Methodism

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