Methodism in High Wycombe goes back to the days when John Wesley frequently visited the town on his journeys between London and Oxford.  Through his influence and encouragement, a local Methodist, Hannah Ball opened the first known Sunday School in the world here in 1769, the forerunner to our present Sunday School. 

In 1779, the first Methodist chapel was opened in St. Mary Street. The work grew and the present larger chapel was built in Priory Road in 1866.  Five years later the hall and classroom block were built to accommodate the Sunday School.

Extensive damage to the hall caused by fire made it unusable and discussions about the renovation of the church proceeded for some twenty years.  The renovation was completed in 1989 and created the current configuration of the church. 

The church was divided horizontally into two floors, with the worship area upstairs and the hall and other supporting rooms downstairs.

The renovation of Wesley Methodist Church is described in the document “Renewal from Within”, below:

Renewal From Within

The Wesley Organ

The Wesley Organ is one of the most renowned church organs in the area and is used regularly by a number of local organists.  It was purchased from Ossett (Yorkshire) Methodist Church in 1885 and installed in the original West Gallery. It was moved to its current position and rebuilt in 1989 when the church was refurbished. 

A more detailed history of the organ is described in the document “Wesley Organ Refurbishment 2023” below: