High House Chapel

Wesley himself preached in the small village in 1752, and a plaque outside the chapel marks the site. According to Simon Jenkins ‘This is the country where the fires of Methodism took hold. There are many chapels in these parts. Many are handsome, and Ireshopeburn is the best’.

Nestled by the side of the road in rolling countryside, the sandstone building has a Welsh slate roof and 19th century sash windows. The former minister's house is now the Weardale Museum, which depicts life in the Durham Dales in the 19th century. Run entirely by enthusiastic volunteers one of its rooms is dedicated entirely to telling the story of John Wesley’s many visits and of the heady days of Primitive Methodism which swept through the Dales. The museum boasts one of the largest collections of Methodist memorabilia in the region through which its story is told.

As well as church services at 10.45am on Sundays, the chapel is open during Museum opening hours. Today there is something beautifully simple and restful about this meeting house with its plain glass windows looking out onto rural pastures which belies the throng and passion engendered by huge congregations of lead miners and their families eagerly seeking salvation.

Of particular interest are the massive pulpit and gallery, the ornate entertainments organ gained through a terrible national tragedy, and the Act of Parliament clock hidden away in the vestry.