Church dubbed “the Vatican” of Islington installs iPads

A church has embraced the digital age after this week opening a £1.4 million museum which tells the story of Methodism in Britain through the latest technological gadgets.

The crypt of Wesley’s Chapel – dubbed “the Vatican” for Methodists – in City Road, has been transformed by the same architects behind King’s Cross Station.

Veteran BBC presenter Huw Edwards narrates the museum’s seven-minute audio-visual presentation while iPads display seminal documents, including John Wesley’s sermons and Charles Wesley’s hymns.

The church opened the museum on Tuesday, which Rev Leslie Griffiths hailed as an “amazingly beautiful facility”.

She said: “Wesley’s Chapel is to the 70 million Methodists spread around the world what Canterbury Cathedral is to Anglicans and the Vatican to Roman Catholics.

“Our new museum will release a compelling story from its chronological and denominational wraps and allow something of the genius and power which brought it to birth to touch and inspire our contemporary world.”

Entry is free but donations are encouraged for the museum which opens Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, and until 1.45pm following Sunday service. Commercial pre-booked tours cost £4 and there is disabled access.