John Wesley Conversion Spot

John Wesley's Conversion Place Memorial

The Aldersgate Flame, also known as John Wesley's Conversion Place Memorial, is a bronze sculpture located near the entrance of the Museum of London. Erected in 1981, this monument commemorates the pivotal event in Christian history when John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, experienced a profound spiritual awakening on May 24, 1738. (londonremembers.com)

On that transformative day, Wesley attended a meeting in Aldersgate Street, where a reading of Martin Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans deeply moved him. He later described the experience in his journal:

> "In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed." (waymarking.com)

This moment marked the beginning of Wesley's evangelical conversion, leading to the establishment of the Methodist movement. The memorial features an inscribed panel displaying this excerpt from Wesley's journal, serving as a testament to his transformative experience. (artuk.org)

The Aldersgate Flame is situated in what was once Aldersgate, a historic area in London. The original Moravian Church, where Wesley's conversion took place, was demolished, but the memorial now stands as a tribute to this significant event. (brethrenarchive.org)

Visitors to the site can reflect on the profound impact of Wesley's experience, which not only transformed his life but also ignited a religious movement that has influenced millions worldwide. The memorial serves as a reminder of the enduring power of personal spiritual experiences and their capacity to inspire widespread change.