Stop A2: John Wesley’s Statue
Click on the above to listen to audio of the John Wesley Statue
Marking the Methodist Church’s centenary
This bronze statue commemorates the founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley (1703-1791). It was presented to the Church in 1935 to mark the centenary of Methodism in Victoria. The work of sculptor Paul Montford, the statue was commissioned by the Cato family, who ran a chain of grocery stores in Melbourne. At its heart, the theology of John Wesley stressed a life of Christian holiness and free will in spiritual matters.
The heart of Wesleyanism
Wesleyanism is named after John Wesley, an Anglican Priest, who inspired and organised a renewal movement within the Church of England that focused on personal faith and holiness. It became a separate church after his death in 1791.
The theology of John Wesley stressed a life of Christian holiness, personal and social: to love God with all one’s heart, mind, soul and strength and to love one’s neighbour as oneself. He preached the gospel to the poor, and proclaimed God’s universal love toward all through Jesus Christ. John Wesley’s work continues today in Methodist churches worldwide, in the Uniting Church in Australia and wherever personal and social holiness are brought together.
Immortalised by many artists
John Wesley has been immortalised by many artists over the centuries. The Melbourne Museum collection includes a coin featuring a bust of John Wesley on one face, with the other inscribed ‘Jubilee of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Victoria 1886’.
Click here to view the John Wesley coin
Image References
- John Wesley preaching outside a church, 1850s Source: Wellcome Collection, London
- Wesley statue for city church Source: Herald, 23 November 1935, p.1
- Statue of John Wesley in front of the Wesley Church, photographed by Hans Bonney, c.1950-80. Source: State Library of Victoria, H2009.50/287
- Chairperson of the Wesley Mission Geoff Cox and Kevin Green inspecting the statue on the 250th anniversary of John Wesley’s religious transformation in 1988 Source: Challenge of the City, 1993, p. 193
