DESTRUCTION OF JOHN WESLEY'S CHAPEL BY FIRE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 50, 27 February 1880, Page 4

DESTRUCTION OF JOHN WESLEY'S CHAPEL BY FIRE.

Early on Sunday Morning, 7th December, tbe Wesleyan Gbapel, in the City Koad, was almost entirely destroyed by fire. The foundation stone was laid Hy Weeley himself on 21st of April, 1777, and since the opening of the building in November, 1778, it has been the centre to Which the eye of every Methodist throughout the world instinctively turned. It was regarded be the " cathedral of Methodism," and no spot was historically so precious and interesting to a Methodist, none that appealed so powerfully to his imagination and affections, as the chapel, and manse* and burial-ground (where Wesley and other illustrious Wesleyans are interred) eh the City Road, near the Hon. Artillery Barracks. The building consisted of a principal chapel and galleries, capable of accommodating 2000 people, ft Smaller structure known as "John Wesley's Morning Chapel," and sundry class-roms and vestries. The larger chapel possessed a very beautiful fresco ceiling. Tbe entire building was warmed by hot air apparatus, and there was no doubt that the fire originated in the Sue. It was first observed early in tbe morning by a policeman, who at once aroused the Rev. John Baker, 8.A., the resident Minister. — At this time the flames had a strong hold upon the morning chapel. Messengers were despatched for tbe fire-engines^ and in a brief period several steamers 'were* on tbe spot, Captain Shaw being present to direct operations. Unfortunately, however^ great difficulty was experienced in obtaining water, the inteuse frost having fixed the plugs so hard that fully half-an-hour was -occupied in moving them. Tbe conflagration spread rapidly, and by the time water was obtained, it was evident the morning chapel waß doomed. It is,, in i act; a tterly destroyed . Fro m the small building tbe flames extended to tbe chief chapel, seizing upon the gallery and funning along the whole length of the left side of the, building. This has bfeeti. entirely consumed, and the back of the chapel (in form of a semicircle), has been thoroughly gutted. In this portion of the building stood the communion table, surrounded by monuments, including one recently erected at a cost of £1000, to the memory of the late Dr Waddy, father of Mr S. D. Waddy, Q. C. The other monuments have seriously suffered, but not to tbe extent that might have been expected, considering the great heat to which they were exposed. The beautiful ceiling before mentioned is irreparably damaged, aud it is doubtful whether tbe roof can be saved. The graceful columns supporting the galleries are burnt a considerable distance down on one side, in fact the entire interior is much injured. The pulpit,

however, from which John Wesley preached has fortunately been preserved, and the vestries at the back have practically escaped. The buildings are insured in the Phoenix Office' for £7000.