By Dianne Craven
As part of Heritage Open Days 2026 and in keeping with the theme of “Everyday Histories”, St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Pudsey hosted an exhibition that told the story of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, through wool.
The display, entitled “Wesley in Wool”, consists of knitted figures depicting key events from Wesley’s life and offers a fascinating insight into his story.
“Wesley in Wool” was created by members of the Barton and Brigg Methodist Circuit. The display was designed by Jill Greenhalgh and the late Angela Kipling, but was knitted by many different people from local Methodist churches and community groups over a six-month period.
The exhibition contains more than 200 knitted figures arranged across 15 scenes, each with its own backdrop. The backdrops were either painted or handcrafted by different contributors.
Together, the scenes tell the story of John Wesley, his mother Susanna Wesley, often referred to as the “Mother of Methodism”, and his brother Charles Wesley, the prolific hymn writer.
John Wesley was born in Epworth, near Doncaster. However, the links between Wesley and Pudsey are deeply rooted in the evangelical revival of the eighteenth century.
The primary connections centre on his personal visits to the area, early local preaching, and the Moravian community at Fulneck.
Further information about where the tableaux can be seen may be obtained from the Barton and Brigg Methodist Circuit at BBandWcircuit@outlook.com.
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