This historic building relies on the support of visitors to remain open as a place of prayer and worship, to be kept in good repair and to operate as a centre where people can learn about John and Charles Wesley and the origins of Methodism.
There are two ways in which you can help support us in our work. The first is by becoming a Friend of the New Room. The Friends support the work of the New Room by making regular donations, preferably by Standing Order and Gift Aided. The annual subscription is £20.00 or £250.00 for life membership. Money raised in this way also supports the work at Charles Wesley’s House in Bristol, the other important heritage site in our care.
As well as enjoying the satisfaction of knowing that you are contributing towards the ongoing care of these unique buildings and the mission work that takes place here, as a Friend you will receive a newsletter three times a year and invitations to various events. If you would like to become a Friend, please send your details and payment for the attention of the Treasurer at the New Room.
The second way in which you can help is by becoming a volunteer steward. Stewards are needed on a daily basis to welcome visitors to the New Room and help with any questions they may have. You can decide how often you choose to steward and, whilst some knowledge of the Wesleys is helpful, you don’t need to be an expert! The most important attributes are enthusiasm, a friendly nature and a willingness to learn and meet new and fascinating people from all over the world!
I do hope you feel able to support us in this work and thank you for your interest.
Gary Best - Warden of The New Room
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The New Room - from a steward’s view
John Wesley’s Chapel (The New Room) was built in 1739 and is the oldest Methodist Church in the world. It is open Monday to Saturday from 10am -4pm with Holy Communion being celebrated each Friday at 1pm. But is it just a Methodist monument with a museum full of religious artefacts? No, definitely not!
Over 20,000 people visit the New Room each year. Who are they? They can be Methodists, Christians, people of other faiths, non-believers. They can be Bristolians, Britains, Europeans, Americans, Koreans, in fact they can be from any part of the world. Why do they come? For a variety of reasons. To visit the historical chapel, to feel the peace and tranquility it offers in the midst of a busy shopping area, to see the room where John Wesley lived while in Bristol, to see the preachers’ rooms, to buy souvenirs from the shop, or just because they are curious to know what is inside. But some come because of personal turmoil.
As a steward at the New Room I have been privileged, among others, to meet a failed asylum seeker, a recovering drug addict, a European working in Bristol wanting to buy an English Bible from the second hand book shop, a homeless person, a young man suffering from depression for seven years, a lady burdened with the problem of physically and mentally frail parents, the widow grieving for her dead husband. I have listened and I hope I have been able in my limited way to give some support to these people. After a session at the New Room I always return home feeling fulfilled and renewed.
The New Room is not just a monument, not just a museum but a living witness of Jesus Christ alive today in Bristol City Centre. As you will know the area is developing with the building of Cabot Circus and resulting in more visitors to the area. The Methodist Church in Bristol is being re-organised. The New Room will be at the centre of the new Bristol and South Gloucestershire Circuit. What an opportunity for Mission and Witness! Don’t let it pass us by! Please pray for the Warden Rev. David Weeks, the Manager, David Worthington and the Trustees as they wrestle with plans for the future - a future of mission and outreach in the City Centre.
Margaret Naish
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