Standing at the junction of Icknield Street and the Foss Way, Axminster had been an important place for travellers since Roman times. Carpet manufacture was introduced in 1755. Methodism is said to have been brought there by a soldier named Payne returning home from service in Ireland. John Wesley passed through the town several times in the course of travelling to or from the West Country. The first chapel was a barn fitted up for worship with financial help from Wesley himself, on a site in South Street opposite the Cattle Market. It was destroyed by fire (suspected to be arson) and the Methodists woshipped in the local Congregationalist Chapel until their new chapel was opened on Castle Hill in 1795. That was not replaced until the present building in Lyme Road, built at a cost of £1,700, was opened on 3 December 1894 by Henry J. Pope. This was renovated in 1968 and 1973.
When Centenary Chapel at Lyme Regis church closed in 1972, many of its members found a spiritual home in Axminster.
John Wesley's Journal:
September 1743: 'We went to Axminster, at the request of a few there that feared God, and joined themselves together some years since. I exhorted them so to seek after the power as not to despise the form of godliness.'
March 1744: 'At noon we spent an hour with a litle company in Axminster.'
August 1766: 'We rode on to Axminster, but were thoroughly wet before we came thither. The rain obliged me to preach within at six; but at seven on Sunday morning I cried in the market-place, 'The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye and believe the gospel.' '
September 1768: 'I rode to Axminster. The rain prevented my preaching abroad, though the room would ill contain the congregation. Observing many there who seemed quite unawakened, I opened and strongly applied Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones. Lord, 'breath upon these slain, that they may live'!'
Category: Place
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