Paulton Methodist Church has celebrated 200 years since the opening of its church building, alongside another important anniversary in the village’s history.
Sunday 13 September 2026 marked exactly 250 years since John Wesley preached in Paulton.
Wesley recorded the visit in his own journal, writing that he preached at around 2pm to a “plain, simple, loving people”.
He returned to Paulton several times, showing that the village had become an established centre of Methodism.
The present church dates back to 1826, although it was later enlarged and altered. Its main frontage dates from 1894 and the building is now Grade II listed.
The anniversaries were celebrated on Sunday (13 September) with a special morning service, led by Rev Marcus Torchon, Chair of the Bristol Methodist District, alongside Paulton’s minister, Rev Christine Coram.
The congregation then continued the celebrations with a bring-and-share lunch.
Paulton Methodist Church’s normal Sunday service is at 10.30am.
Anyone interested in the church’s history can also read Spreading the Flame, a 16-page pamphlet covering the history of Methodism in Paulton, including John Wesley’s visits and the development of the church at:
https://docs-eu.livesiteadmin.com/b79d184d-8df4-4b24-a669-45c02c62a301/adobe-scan-10-nov-2024–1-.pdf
