The directory «Plots»

Wesley Charles
(1707—1788)

Charles Wesley was a leader of the Methodist movement, the younger brother of John Wesley. Despite their closeness, Charles and his brother did not always agree on questions relating to their beliefs. In particular, Charles was strongly opposed to the idea of a breach with the Church of England into which they had been ordained. Charles Wesley is chiefly remembered for the many hymns he wrote. He founded Wesley Chapel in the village of Brayton, which is just south of Selby. His house, located nearby, can still be visited today.

Charles Wesley was the son of Susanna Wesley and Samuel Wesley. Like his brother John, Charles Wesley was born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England, where their father was rector. He was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford, where his brother had also studied, and formed the "Oxford Methodist" group among his fellow students in 1727 which his elder brother, John joined in 1729 soon becoming its leader and moulding it to his own notions. George Whitefield also joined this group. Charles followed his father and brother into the church in 1735, and traveled with John to the colony of Georgia in America in the entourage of the governor, James Oglethorpe, returning a year later.

Charles lived and worked in the area around St Marylebone Parish Church and so, just before his death, he sent for its rector John Harley and told him "Sir, whatever the world may say of me, I have lived, and I die, a member of the Church of England. I pray you to bury me in your churchyard." On his death, his body was carried to the church by eight clergymen of the Church of England and a memorial stone to him stands in the gardens in Marylebone High Street, close to his burial spot. One of his sons, Samuel, was later organist of the present church.

In the course of his career, Charles Wesley published the words of over five and a half thousand hymns, writing the words for a further two thousand, many of which are still popular.

Alderney, 2010, «Hark! The Herald Angels Sing»

Bahamas, 2007, Church choir, cross

Bahamas, 2007, Charles and John Wesley

Bahamas, 2007, Charles Wesley and his book

Bahamas, 2007, Harbour Island Methodist Church

Great Britain, 1999, «Hark! The Herald Angels Sing»

Guernsey, 1986, «Hark! The Herald Angels Sing»

Irland, 2007, Charles Wesley

Marshall Islands, 2008, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Montserrat, 2007, Charles Wesley

Nauru, 1988, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Nevis, 2000, Psalms and Himns by Wesley

New Zealand, 1976, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Palau, 1988, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Samoa, 1991, «Hark! The Herald Angels Sing»

St. Kitts-Nevis, 1967, Charles Wesley