West Street Chapel

The chapel was built for a Huguenot congregation who has previously worshipped in Newport Market. They took possession of the building in 1700 and continued to use the chapel until 1743, when John Wesley took out a lease on the building.[2] On Trinity Sunday of that year Wesley recorded in his Journal

I began officiating at the chapel in West Street, near the Seven Dials, of which, by a strange chain of providences, we have a lease for seven years. I preached on the Gospel for the day, part of the third chapter of St John; and afterwards administered the Lord's supper to some hundreds of communicants. I was a little afraid at first that my strength would not suffice for the business of the day, when a service of five hours (for it lasted from ten to three) was added to my usual employment. But God looked to that.[3]

He was often assisted at the chapel by George Whitfield, and John William Fletcher preached his first sermon there in 1751.[4]

From the beginning of the 19th century the chapel was used for Anglican worship.[5] It is no longer used as a church but Wesley's association with the building is commemorated by a plaque.[1] Its pulpit, used by John and Charles Wesley between 1741 and 1793, is now in the nearby church of St Giles in the Fields.

• Dibdin, R. W. (1862). The History of West Street Episcopal Chapel, London. James Nisbet and Co.

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