The statue of John Wesley, St Paul's Churchyard is an outdoor bronze sculpture depicting the theologian, cleric and co-founder of the religious movement known as Methodism, John Wesley. The statue is located northwest corner of St Paul's Churchyard, London, England, and was erected in 1988.[1][2] It was cast from a sculpture created by Samuel Manning and his son between 1825 and 1849.[3]
From 24 to 26 May 1738, Wesley worshipped in the nearby chancel of St Paul's Cathedral.[4] The statue is 5 foot 1 inches high, Wesley's height in life,[2] and shows him wearing a cassock and holding a Bible in his left hand.[3] An inscription on the front of the plinth reads:[5]
By Grace ye are saved through Faith
John Wesley, Father of Methodism, 1703–1791, priest, poet, teacher of the Faith.
On the rear of the plinth is a plaque reading "Property of Aldersgate Trustees of the Methodist Church – 17 September 1988".[5]
Samuel Manning's original sculpture was in plaster and was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1825.[3] After Manning the Elder's death, his son recreated the sculpture in marble, and it is now situated in the Methodist Central Hall, Westminster.[3]
