A congregation that shares space with a boutique hotel has celebrated 200 years of worship in Camden Town.
Camden Town Methodist Church invited the community to celebrate its 200th anniversary at The Wesley on Saturday, September 14.
The chapel was built in the 18th Century by religious societies founded by John Wesley and his preachers on what was then King Street, which later became Plender Street.
The Wesleyans outgrew it by 1860 and sold it to the 'Primitive Methodists' who rebuilt, expanded, and renamed it The New Camden Chapel in 1890.
Over the decades it has hosted Bible classes, Scout groups, Boys Brigades, a penny bank, children's film shows, and during the Second World War the basement became a night shelter for 120 people, with church members also staffing the canteen at the deep shelter in Camden Tube station.
But following a £9 million renovation, which retained the building's historic façade and significant areas including the chapel, The Wesley Camden was opened in December 2022 as a 38-room contemporary hotel.
Anniversary celebrations were hosted by presiding minister district chair the Rev Dr Jongi Zihle; preacher deacon Myrtle Poxon; superintendent minister the Rev Alana Lawrence; and minister deacon Sally Wheadon.
The special service celebrated the church’s milestone with crafts, refreshments, a memorabilia exhibition and history talk, as well as guest performances by gospel singer Lola Campbell Brown and North London NHS Choir.
Members of the hotel team including general manager James Barr attended to talk about the building’s rich heritage.
Mr Barr said: “As the Methodist Church celebrates this milestone birthday, The Wesley Camden is proud to be a part of the fantastic heritage and to share the building’s diverse history with the community.
“Despite the church’s dramatic changes over the 200 years including surviving extreme damage caused in the Second World War where large parts of the local area were destroyed, the fact that the chapel is still standing today is an incredible achievement, and we’re honoured to be a part of its modern day history and ongoing story.”
The Wesley currently operates two hotels in London, The Wesley Camden and The Wesley Euston, a 100-room hotel, featuring The Wesley Bar, meeting rooms as well as a new gym. For more information visit www.thewesley.co.uk
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