CITY ROAD METHODIST CIRCUIT

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: ACC/2330
Held at	: London Metropolitan Archives   Click here to find out how to view this collection at https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma ›
Full title	: CITY ROAD METHODIST CIRCUIT
Date(s)	: 1806-1970
Level of description	: Collection
Extent	: 3.38 linear metres
Name of creator(s)	: Methodist Church of Great Britain x United Methodist Church x Wesleyan Methodist Church x Primitive Methodist Church

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

The New Chapel, or as it later became known, Wesley's Chapel, was opened for public worship on 1 November 1778. It stood as a successor to the old Foundery Chapel bought in 1739 which was situated a few hundred metres to the south east.

The Chapel is important as the "Mother Church of World Methodism", the scene of many famous events such as the Uniting Conference of Primitive Methodists, United Methodists and Wesleyan Methodists in 1932. It also acts as the focal point of the City Road Circuit, also known as London East Circuit (1807-1823) and the First London Circuit. There has been much reorganisation as chapels closed and circuits were altered; for further details and names and dates of circuits, contact the Society of Cirplanologists who collect Circuit plans.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of the City Road Circuit including Quarterly Meeting minute books, 1817-1852 and 1925-1952; Circuit Stewards account book, 1922-1922; Class book, 1806-1828; Class moneys and subscription lists, 1795-1898; Twentieth Century Fund account book, 1899-1903; schedule of Methodist Trust Property, 1938-1970; Education Schedule book; 1888-1893; Circuit Statement of income and expenditure, 1906-1916; notice of proposed amalgamation of Wesley's Chapel Circuit (i.e. City Road Circuit) and Highbury Circuit, 1916.

Records relating to Angel Alley Chapel, including agreement regarding Angel Alley Wesleyan Chapel and School, Bishopsgate Street Without, 1865; deed of appointment of new Trustees, and vesting of part of Trust property, 1882; schedule of deeds and documents, 1820-1882, compiled 1883.

Records relating to Chequer Alley Chapel including schedule of deeds and documents, 1801-1865, compiled 1867; schedule of sale of chapel, 1882.

Records relating to Wesley's Chapel, City Road, including registers of baptisms, 1838-1946; register of burials, 1779-1784; Trustees Meeting minute books, 1822-1874 and 1934-1973; Trustees Meeting account book, 1860-1892; Conference Commission on Wesley's Chapel minute book, 1972-1973; Leaders Meeting minute book, 1807-1894 and 1933-1955; Society Stewards account books, 1808-1912; Society Stewards book, including a reprint of The Duties of Wesleyan Stewards: with other information concerning their Office by Reverend E. Workman, 1906-1913; Missionary Committee minute book, 1877-1899; Christian Workers' Association minute book, 1887-1897; Conference Committee minute book, 1928-1961; Collection books, 1839-1869; Poor Fund account books, 1789-1964; Sunday School papers, 1912-1958; appeal letter relating to restoration of Wesley's Chapel, 1892; key plan showing layout of roof timbers of chapel, 1931.

Records relating to Hackney Road Chapel (formerly Middlesex Chapel), including register of baptisms, 1880-1954; Trustees Meeting minute book, 1820-1978; Leaders Meeting minute book, 1891-1953.

Records relating to Jewin Street Chapel including register of baptisms, 1842-1890; Trustees Meeting minute books, 1842-1962; documents relating to Jewin Street Trust, 1843-1886; legal documents relating to the Jewin Street property, 1843-1886; papers relating to the appointment of Trustees, 1891-1899; certificate for the solemnization of marriages, 1873; correspondence with Charity Commission, 1892; letter from Wesleyan Chapel Committee consenting to sale of Chapel, 1886.

Records relating to New North Road Chapel including register of marriages, 1851-1912; Trustees Meeting minute book, 1848-1919; Trustees Treasurers account book, 1917-1920; Leaders Meeting minute book, 1897-1919; Building Account, later incorporating Trust Account; 1848-1895; architect's report on buildings with sketch plans showing proposed alterations, 1916.

Records relating to Radnor Street Chapel comprising Trustees Meeting minute books, 1885-1940.

Records relating to Spitalfields Chapel comprising Sunday School Tract Society minute book, 1821-1829.

Records relating to Wilson Street Welsh Chapel including schedule for purchase of Chapel, 1881; leave of Chapel Committee to purchase chapel, 1881; contract for sale and purchase, 1881; requisitions on title and repairs, 1881; authority to pay Consideration Money, 1881; Return to Chapel Committee, 1883.

Records of Tavistock Square House comprising file containing correspondence, draft list of deeds and draft accounts, 1921-1928.

Records of Great Queen Street Chapel comprising Day School Committee minute book, 1871-1906.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

This list, following the Schedule of Methodist Documents, divides the records into those produced by the Circuit and those produced by local Churches.

Conditions governing access:

These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copyright: Depositor

Finding aids:

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

ACC/2330

Allied Materials

Related material:

For City Road Circuit see also N/M/14, N/M/41 and N/M/44/28-31. For Angel Alley Chapel see also N/M/15 and N/M/41/81. For Chequer Alley Chapel see also N/M/16 and N/M/41/82. For Wesley's Chapel, City Road, see also N/M/41. For Hackney Road Chapel see N/M/19, N/M/23 and N/M/43/19. For Jewin Street Chapel see also N/M/41/31. For New North Road Chapel see also N/M/18. For Radnor Street Chapel see also N/M/17. For Spitalfields Chapel see also N/M/42/4-11. For Wilson Street Welsh Chapel see also N/M/20.

The National Archives hold registers of burials 1779-1840 and a register of baptisms and births 1804-1837 from City Road Chapel (Ref: RG4).

A transcript of a burial register still held at Wesley's Chapel, covering the dates 1779-1858, is held in the Greater London History Library. It contains an index of names of people buried in the Burial Ground.

Publication note:

For further details of the history of the Chapel, see One at London: The Story of Wesley's Chapel, Max Woodward (2nd edition, London: 1983).

Description Notes

Archivist's note:

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
January to March 2009