St Andrew's Epworth is a C15 Perpendicular style Church developed from an earlier C13 church.There are traces of this earlier building and it could well be that there was a church here in Saxon times. It is best known for the fact that Samuel Wesley was Rector from 1695 to 1735 and his sons John and Charles were born and brought up in Epworth. It is therefore seen as the Birthplace of Methodism; the Wesley children were baptised in the font and probably received their first Communion from the C17 chalice which is still used on special occasions. John Wesley assisted his father as curate in the 1720's and after Samuel's death he famously preached from his father's tomb which can be seen just outside the south door.

An extensive programme of restoration has taken ten years and was completed in 2009. It is hoped that a major re-ordering of the inside of the church will take place in 2011 and will result in the re-siting of the font and the provision of a meeting room and enhanced facilities for both visitors and worshippers. In June 2010 we were successful in receiving funding from Heritage Lottery Fund to enable us to carry out this work which will enhance the Church's role as a Heritage Centre.

St Andrew's welcomes visitors and pilgrims from many parts of the world, often drawn to the Methodist connection. The Old Rectory where Samuel and Susanna Wesley brought up their family was rebuilt after a notorious fire in 1709 and was sold to the World Methodist Council in 1955. It is now a museum and heritage centre and is situated a short walk from St Andrew's Church

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