VISITORS will be amazed at what is on offer at Wesley Cottage, Trewint, now that some much-needed upgrades have been carried out.

Wesley Cottage and chapel museum is dedicated to John Wesley, often named the father of Methodism, who previously preached and rested there in the 18th century.

There is a lot to learn at the newly updated museum about the English theologian and evangelist who was a founder of Methodism and an instrumental driving force behind smuggling dying out in Cornwall.

One room that has received extensive ‘modernisation’ is the new ‘Upper Room’, a former bedroom and storeroom.

Steps lead up to a clean space that has been made available for the public to use as a quiet study or reflection area. There is a large, wide screen television-set mounted on the wall that can be used to show slide shows and films.

While the Post was visiting the cottage, two of the museums volunteers Steve and Janet Gerrard from St Germans, and the curator, John Hogarth, showed a small clip from a film that included scenes from the cottage and Gwennap Pit near Redruth, which John Wesley had described as ‘his amphitheatre’, and reputedly preached to 30,000 people at once.

This film is available to view at the museum along with a wide range of resources and information and a display of a collection of 18th century artefacts.

John told the Post of the new renovations to the Upper Room: “There was previously a wall separating this room into two, but we took that down in order to create this nice open space that can be used for our monthly quiet days and study days.

“We have exposed the beams and put in new flooring to create a more ‘contemporary museum’ space with new chairs and glass display cabinets soon to be installed.”

They are also planning on having ‘display panels’ installed, which will contain information and historic facts about John Wesley and the cottage.

The museum is now taking group bookings and hopes that school groups and others will be able to use the space as a learning environment and make good use of the new technologies and resources that have been installed.

Also displayed in the Upper Room is a painting with the caption: ‘John Nelson and John Downes asking for refreshment at Trewint’.

These were the first Methodist preachers to visit Cornwall and stop off at Wesley Cottage, inhabited by Digory Isbell and his wife Elizabeth. In the painting, John Nelson and Downes, two of John Wesley’s advance agents, and their horse, are pictured asking Mrs Isbell for refreshments on the porch of Wesley Cottage.

This has sparked a tradition at the cottage where complimentary light refreshments are offered to those who visit.

Giving is also a theme of the cottage, John said: “To give is in keeping with the history of the place hence why we don’t charge an entry fee to visitors. Its all about hospitality.”

Wesley Cottage strives to provide a unique visitor experience that can inform visitors of the origins of Methodism and the story of John Wesley.

John said: “Around one in three of the visitors to Wesley Cottage have no church connection. We don’t preach at anyone who comes through our door but if they do want to ask questions then we will endeavour to answer them.

“On our quieter days it is very atmospheric and visitors can come and enjoy the peace of the ‘Prayer Garden’ or spend time reflecting in the small chapel.”

The small chapel is situated at the back of the property and has some artefacts of great interest displayed within it.

Among the items on display is a Bible, dedicated to Digory Isbell and John Wesley, which was given when the Cottage was rescued from potential demolition in 1950, and upon the mantle of a fire in the room is a small wooden cross. This cross is thought to be made from wood taken from the house in which John Wesley’s mother, Susanna, was born.

This room is said to be the smallest Methodist-preaching site in the world and draws in visitors from Australia to the United States and even from places like Vienna — all from different faith perspectives, John Hogarth told the Post of a time when they had over 30 visitors from Singapore squeezed into the room, spilling up onto the stairs and out the door, for a sermon.

From this room, visitors will be lead up those stairs to the ‘Wesley Room’. This room is where John Wesley prayed and slept.

It is home to a collection of copies of hand written letters by John Wesley and other historic Methodists, which are available to view beside typed out versions, and also contains 18th Century artefacts.

John said: “Digory Isbell, who lived in the cottage, read in the second Book of Kings in the Old Testament about the Shunamite women who built a chamber for Elisha the Prophet which contains only, a bed, an oil lamp, a table and a chair. This lead Digory to think he should do the same and set to building his own extension of two rooms, one above the other, with the upper floor containing exactly, a bed, an oil lamp, a table and a chair, just as was in the story.”

“This room has now been restored to its former state and the table that is in this room is believed to be the table that John Wesley wrote sermons on when preaching at St Levan Chapel.

“We hope that visitors are able to get the full experience of Wesley Cottage with our exhibits and they are welcome to ask any of our volunteers questions about the things on display or just come along to our contemporary museum for quiet reflection.”

Whilst being shown around the museum the Post spoke to a couple who had visited the museum from Coads Green.

Tim Loe said: “It is an absolute transformation. Its brighter and lighter in here and I think that makes it more welcoming, which will hopefully entice more visitors to come and sit in and have a slice of coffee cake and a look around.”

Kate Loe added: “To come in and see the transformation is brilliant, it is light, warm and the displays are professional. When you are driving down the A30 and stop off here you won’t be disappointed, this contemporary conversion has been money well spent.”

Wesley Cottage is open to visitors from May 1, to October 31, Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. There are handmade cards on sale in the main room and complimentary refreshments available to visitors. It is well advised for people to go and visit. For more information on events taking place at the cottage visit their website www.wesleycottage.org.uk