LONDON 2025: Church History & Faith Today
We are going to England to celebrate John Wesley day on May 24th
and explore the church history that led to the Methodist Movement.
All photos below are from 2023 John Wesley Day Trip.
Tentative Dates: Depart Tuesday May 20, 2025 and return Wednesday May 28, 2025
Flying midweek for reduced airfare costs.
We plan to order plane tickets in November 2024.
Initial payment of $1200 due October 31, 2024.
Remainder due February 28, 2025.
The following information describes the activities for this trip.
Items with ^ are included in trip cost.
All details are tentative as of April 2024 with final details to be posted.
Tentative Cost $2500 per person, double occupancy in hotel.
Cost includes: airfare, hotel, Westminster and St. Paul's entry, Wesley's Chapel fees, Big Red Bus tour and water taxi.
Local transportation, food, donations for church visits, Tower of London and other personal expenses not included.
Recommended Apps to download to your phone:
CityMapper (for directions/tube/bus routes)
American Airlines (ticket and gate info)
BigBus (route and location of bus)
Recommendations for Preparing for Trip:
Use a suitcase with wheels - long walks through airport and trains
Have a credit card with a chip - used for public transportation & purchases
No currency exchange needed - All contactless payments with chip card
Have a backpack to carry umbrella, jacket, snacks, water bottle, purchases
Eye mask can be useful on plane and adjusting to jet lag
Electricity Converter - different plug + electricity voltage in UK
Bring water bottle, sunglasses, umbrella, jacket, sun hat
Not all airports have a lot of charging outlets - consider battery pack
Day 0 : Tuesday May 20 : Departure
Depart from Green Bay or other local airport
Meet together at O'Hare International Airport
Fly American Airlines to Heathrow Airport, London overnight
Day 2 : Thursday May 22 : Westminster
Take the tube (subway) to Westminster for the day.
Tour ticket^ entry 12:00pm, Jubilee Gallery Entry 13:30pm
Worship Opportunities:
Eucharist/Communion 12:30p*
Evensong 5p*
All worship is free.
Other Opportunities:
Look at statues outside of great world leaders in Parliament Square. Walk by Central Methodist Church where United Nations got started. Stop for tea to rest your feet. Walk over to St. James Park and see Buckingham Palace. Cross bridge by Parliament and hear Big Ben chime.
Welcome to John Wesley Day. We will gather at Wesley's Chapel for worship and a light lunch with people from around the world. We will gather at John Wesley's Tomb for singing and prayers, then walk to Susanna Wesley's Tomb for singing and prayers, then walk to Aldersgate Street for singing and prayers. Our final walk will take us to St. Paul's Cathedral for a special worship service celebrating the ministry of John and Charles Wesley, with singing and prayers at the John Wesley statue outside after the service.
Dinner at Nando's Chicken after worship (Portuguese/African - fantastic!)
Day 6 : Monday May 26 : Wesley Tour
Time for an official tour of Wesleys Chapel, John Wesley Home (pictured above), Methodist Museum, and Wesley Garden with John Wesley's Tomb.
11a^
Can also walk through Bunhill Cemetery across the street to see Susanna Wesley's tomb. Just past cemetery is a quiet park with a wall of heroism to remember people who lost their lives saving others.
Great day to walk to markets for food...
Day 1 : Wednesday May 21 : Arrival + Bus Tour
Arrive at Heathrow Airport
Go through passport control & customs and collect luggage
Take train into Central London
Drop off luggage
Buses pass every 15-30 minutes.
3 routes around Central London.
Download app to see exact locations of buses and tour route.
Great way to settle down some jet lag! Tour includes a water ferry from Tower of London Pier to Westminster Pier under by the Houses of Parliament and London Eye - 40 minutes with commentary on bridges and waterfront sights. Can take once in either direction.
Stop for Fish & Chips meal at County Hall by London Eye and Big Ben.
Day 3 : Friday May 23 : St. Paul's & St. Bride's
See "newer" churches, built after the Great Fire of 1666 by Sir Christopher Wren. 15-20 minute walk from hotel, or take city bus.
Tour Tickets^ enter cathedral at 12p.
Worship Opportunities:
Eucharist 12:30p*
Evensong 5p*
Worship is free.
Free to tour, donations accepted at kiosk onsite. Basement museum has great info on history of Great Fire, as well as remains of Roman road. Also small chapel from medieval church on site. Five minute walk from St. Paul's.
Open for visit from 10a-3:30p
Worship Opportunities:
Space for Silence 4-5p weekdays - silent meditation with candles.
Morning Prayer 8:15a weekdays in crypt chapel. 15 minutes.
Other Opportunities:
Eat at Old Bell pub (built 1670s) by St. Bride's for historic pub experience. Other pubs in area as well.
Day 5 : Sunday May 25 : Wesley's Chapel Worship + Tower of London
Worship at Wesley's Chapel for Aldersgate Day, celebrating the conversion of John Wesley. 9:45a Communion in Foundery Chapel (30 minutes). 11a Worship in main Chapel.
Afternoon - take tube over to Tower of London to tour and see great history and Crown Jewels. A replica of the Golden Hind, the first British ship to sail around the world, is across the Tower Bridge from the Tower of London on the southside of the Thames River.
Day 7 : Tuesday May 26 : TBA
TBA
Map of Wesley's Chapel, Hotel, Tube Stop
Note on maps: the "blocks" you see do not match American "blocks." Many of these blocks are only two-three buildings long - maybe 1/4 the size of a "block" we are used to. Walking from Old Street tube stop to Wesley's Chapel is about 5 minutes.
Walk from Travelodge Hotel to St. Paul's Cathedral is 15-20 minutes (about 1 mile), or you can take a bus or the tube. St. Paul's to St. Bride's is about 5 minute walk.
Map of our Main Area of Activities
Map of St. Paul's Cathedral Area & Sights
