The little Sunderland houses which played an important part in history

But 200 years after their creation, the buildings on Southwick Green in Sunderland had links to a leading evangelist.

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, was said to have been a regular visitor to these houses which can be seen in a Sunderland Echo archive photo from 80 years ago today.

A change in direction 200 years ago

Their change of fortune came about when they were converted in 1822 into a Wesleyan chapel to serve the community which has been meeting in the neighbourhood for many years.

A record from 1812 noted that the chapel had a membership of six.

A ‘frequent visitor to the town’

An Echo report from 1944 said: “It is quite possible that his little band were all disciples of John Wesley himself, for he was a frequent visitor to the town only 20 or 30 years before.”

Tell us about an aspect of Sunderland’s past that you would like to see in the retro section.

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