The Wesley Historical Society Welcomes You and Values Your Interest

Once the move from its previous location in nearby Wimbledon had been agreed, the Southlands governors made the conscious decision to commission buildings which embodied both the rich European tradition of the faith-based university and the values of contemporary Methodism. The former were summarised thus by Cardinal Newman in 1893: 'When the church founds a University, she is not cherishing talent, genius, or knowledge, for their own sake, but for the sake of her children, with a view to their spiritual welfare and their religious influence and usefulness, with the object of training them to fill their respective posts in life better, and of making them more intelligent, capable, active members of society' [from the Preface to The Idea of a University Defined and Illustrated]. Built around a lawned quadrangle, the college has obvious echoes of an Oxford or Cambridge college, bringing together student accommodation, a teaching building, social space and offices, and of course a chapel.

But in launching the new complex in 1997, Dr Greet hailed it as an 'inspiring environment' which also reflected 'the sense of community, openness and honest quest for truth and order which are such important strands in Methodism' [The New Southlands College, 1997]. The significant role of the college within the wider Methodist community was and remains palpable; amongst the letters of congratulation received was one from Rev. Dr Tim Macquiban, then at Westminster College Oxford, and now chair of the Southlands trustees as well as the immediate past chair of the Wesley Historical Society. 

The most obvious physical embodiment of the Methodist character of the college is the chapel, which commands the entrance to the site. This clearly obeys John Wesley's injunction [from the 'Large Minutes' of 1780], 'Let all our preaching-houses be built plain and decent'. Any visiting Methodist historian is also immediately struck by its resemblance to the octagonal chapels of early Methodism, as at Heptonstall (1764, on the left below). The Southlands architect was however quite unaware of this precedent. Wesley had argued that wherever the site permitted, chapels should be built 'in the Octagon form. It is best for the voice, and on any accounts more commodious than any other.' Two centuries later, perhaps reflecting the same practical considerations, or maybe led by the Holy Spirit, Sheppard Robson came to the same conclusion.