Total in the United Kingdom

........ 1020 *

The Methodists have no one general rule for building their Chapels. The following are the directions which Mr. Wesley gave on this head. 1. Build all Preaching-houses, where the ground will permit, in the octagon form. It is best for the voice, and on many accounts more commodious than any other. 2. Let every octagan house be built after the model of Yarm; every square house after the model of Bath or Scarborough. 3. Let the roof rise only one third of its breadth this is the true proportion. 4. Have doors and windows enough and let all the windows be sashes opening downwards. 5. Let there be no Chinese paling, and no tub-pulpit, but a square projection with a long seat behind. 6. Let there be no pews and no backs to the seats, which should have aisles on each side, and be parted in the middle by a rail running all along to divide the men from the women, just as at Bath. 7. Let all Preaching-houses be built plain and decent ; but not more expensive than is absolutely necessary. 8. Wherever a Preaching-house is built see that lodgings for the preachers be built also."

Since Mr. Wesley's death the form of building the chapels is generally as follows. The proportion of the length to the breadth is as 21 to 18. The pulpit faces the front, with the communion table just before it, or else behind it. They are galleried all round except on the side where the pulpit stands, and the galleries are constructed in an oval form. They are pewed and let to families; the places in each chapel which are free, are divided, one part for the men and another part for the women, who always sit separate in those places.†

This lift comprehends also thofe Preaching-Houses which have been built from 1802 to 1805.

In Ireland no Pews are fuffered to be built in the Preaching-Houses, which is certainly conformable to Mr. Wesley's request.

Rules