|
Date: |
|
Description: | An old tapering limestone pillar erected on a two-stepped base of the same stone and surmounted by a square abacus. The whole column is capped by a carved triangular stone bearing a twentieth century metal plaque. It stands to the side of two trees in a small grassy enclosure. Additional Information: The small figure of John Wesley travelling through Weardale on horseback was a not uncommon site in the period 1752-1790. Despite the difficult terrain he is said to have made regular two yearly trips to the area, stopping off at up to five village greens a day to give sermons to the unconverted. In his first visit to Ireshopeburn he preached beneath a thorn bush. There is some debate as to whether the present hawthorn, located behind the pillar, is the same such bush but it is now known as 'Wesley's Tree' and merits protection under a preservation order. One of dozens of chapels in the area, Ireshopeburn High House, which opened in 1760, soon became the centre of Methodism in the area. Wesley preached there on several occasions, making his last visit in 1790, a year before his death.(1) The building stills exists, the oldest Methodist chapel in the country still in continuous use.(2) | Subjects: | Marker | Source: | Vads | Creator: | Stonemason: Not known | Identifier: | http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=7512... | Go to resource |
|
|