England celebrates anniversary of Wesley’s birth

EPWORTH, England — Methodists worldwide celebrated the 300th anniversary of the birth of John Wesley, the denomination’s founder, June 17 with both reverence and fanfare. Wesley was born in 1703 in the small town of Epworth, England. The Wesley Mission in Sydney, Australia marked the occasion by holding several events and services on the life and works of the founder of Methodism. The mission also displayed its impressive collection of Wesley artifacts including a chair from his home and an original Bible owned by the theologian and hymn writer. Events in Epworth included the premier of a new play on the life of Wesley, special period street markets and the unveiling of a new bronze statue.