The Wesley Centre, a significant landmark and Methodist church building in Malton, has been undergoing a remarkable transformation into a vibrant community hub. There are only 41 Grade II listed Methodist church buildings in Britain, and only three are older than the Wesley Centre. Designed by renowned architect Rev.
William Jenkins, the founder of Methodism John Wesley preached nearby in Malton in the early 1770s. The restoration project, managed by a team led by local resident and former mayor of the market town, Paul Emberley, aims to preserve the building’s heritage while transforming it to serve the wider community for generations to come. A key element of the Centre’s revitalisation is the commitment to heritage and craftsmanship.
After securing more than £2 million for the restoration and transformative works so far, the Wesley Centre is now raising funds for bespoke furniture, commissioned from Thirsk’s furniture maker, Treske, including 250 iconic audience chairs by Howe, used in cathedrals and other great places of worship – and a suite of bespoke hand-crafted sanctuary furniture, used for church worship. Spearheaded by a campaign launched in 2016, the community helped save the Wesley Centre from permanent closure after major structural issues with its roof were discovered. Following extensive consultation, a plan was developed to transform the Wesley Centre into a multifunctional space for the benefit of the wider community.
The new facility will feature a.