John Wesley recorded in his Journal his only visit to Walsingham on Tuesday 30 October 1781. A society had been formed there two years earlier. After preaching, he walked amongst the ruins of the mediaeval abbey and the friary at nearby Little Walsingham. He regretted Henry VIII's lack of 'virtue' and 'public spirit' in allowing these magnificent buildings to fall into decay.

A chapel was opened at the southern end of High Street in 1794 by the itinerant preacher, Charles Boon, then stationed at Great Yarmouth. The building and furniture cost about £750. This beautiful listed building is the oldest Methodist chapel in East Anglia still in use for religious worship. The gallery which runs round three sides of the interior has the original box pews. For nearly a century, from 1791 to 1887 Walsingham was the head of a Wesleyan circuit.

Entry written by: NV
Category: Place
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