---
title: "The New Room / John Wesley's Chapel, Bristol"
description: "Located in Bristol, City of Bristol. Built 1739; enlarged 1748; restored 1929. Grade I. Mid Georgian style."
category: "Church"
tags: ["Church","Methodist Church","City of Bristol","Bristol","Grade I","Georgian","John Wesley","New Room"]
canonical: "https://thebritishgazette.com/post/new-room-john-wesleys-chapel-bristol"
pubDate: "2026-09-06T01:23:35.205Z"
dateModified: "2026-09-07T16:07:03.418Z"
location: "Bristol, City of Bristol"
country: "England"
county: "City of Bristol"
town: "Bristol"
address: "The Horsefair, Bristol, City of Bristol, BS1 3JE"
postcode: "BS1 3JE"
built: "1739; enlarged 1748; restored 1929"
architect: "Possibly George Tully; restoration by Sir George Oatley (1929)"
denomination: "Methodist Church"
grade: "I"
style: "Mid Georgian"
materials: "Roughcast with limestone dressings, hipped pantile roof"
website: "http://www.newroombristol.org.uk/Home"
openingHours: "The chapel is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm."
listEntryUrl: "https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1202025"
gridReference: "ST 590 733"
accessNotes: "Accessible toilets in church. Level access to the main areas"
---

# The New Room / John Wesley's Chapel, Bristol

The New Room on Broadmead (The Horsefair) is the world’s oldest Methodist chapel, a Grade I mid-Georgian meeting house founded by John Wesley in 1739.

## Overview

Historic England records a chapel of 1739, enlarged in 1748, possibly by George Tully, and restored in 1929 by Sir George Oatley. It is roughcast with limestone dressings and a hipped pantile roof, an aisled hall with galleries lit by a central octagonal lantern. Wesley and George Whitefield bought the first Methodist meeting room here in 1739. The restricted site placed living rooms over the meeting house; the lantern lights the whole interior. Original fittings include a two-tier east pulpit, box pews, fixed side benches, the communion table, a 1755 poor box, and a John Snetzler organ of 1761 (given in 1939).

The New Room became the cradle of the worldwide Methodist movement. It remains a place of worship and houses a museum of John and Charles Wesley. Listed Grade I on 8 January 1959, amended 30 December 1994 (NHLE 1202025).

## Further Information

- [John Wesley's New Room](https://www.newroombristol.org.uk/)
- [Historic England list entry 1202025](https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1202025)
- [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wesley%27s_New_Room)