RENOWNED local historian Stuart Morris has been in touch regarding the Dorset Echo story about the founder of Methodism holding his first meeting on the site of a new age shop in Weymouth (November 22).

He said: “Regarding the recent articles about Methodism in Dorset, it is certainly a revelation that John Wesley visited Weymouth and I hope Alison Chan can make the most of this for their business. However it is wrong to say that JW’s visit ‘kick-started the Methodist movement in Dorset’."

John’s younger brother the Rev Charles Wesley came to Portland in June 1746 and recorded in his Journal: ‘June 4th and 5th, 1746. Driving down a steep hill on our way to Sherborne, the horse stumbled and threw me out of the seat. I fell on my back upon the wheel; my feet were entangled in the chaise, but the beast stood stock still, so I received no harm, but was only stunned and dirtied. By nine o’clock at night we were glad to reach the house of William Nelson in Portland.’ The house in the attached print still exists at Straits, Easton, albeit now much altered.

John also notes in his book Portland an Illustrated History: ‘June 6th. I preached to a house full of loving, staring people. Some wept, but most looked quite unawakened.

‘June 9th. At Southwell the farthest village... Some very old men attended... My mouth and their hearts were opened. The rocks were broken in pieces, and melted into tears on every side.’

Charles Wesley even wrote a hymn for the Portlanders: “Come, O Thou all victorious Lord; Thy power to us make known; Strike with the hammer of Thy cord, And break these hearts of stone.”

His visit established Methodism on Portland for more than 200 years.

Thank you, Stuart.