About Our Church
Our History
Chelsea Methodists built on this site in 1903 at the corner of King’s Road and Chelsea Manor Street. In 1941, a bomb destroyed the sanctuary, and the site remained a car park until its redevelopment in 1983.
Methodists first gathered in Chelsea in a local woman’s home during John Wesley’s time, where he preached several times. As numbers grew, they moved to rented rooms in the Ranelagh Pleasure Gardens (now part of the Royal Hospital grounds) before converting a former slaughterhouse in the Sloane Street area into a place of worship.
Their first purpose-built
chapel was in Sloane
Square (now the Royal
Court Theatre), and their
second was in Sloane
Terrace, where the
Christian Science church
now stands. This chapel
served Chelsea Methodists
from 1812 to 1903, when they
moved to the present site.
Our Spaces & Community Use
The 1983 redevelopment transformed the site, adding 21 flats for the elderly in partnership with the Servite Housing Association. New sanctuaries were also designed by Bernard Lamb, including the Narthex, a welcoming area in front of the main sanctuary.
The top floors of Chelsea Methodist Church provide office space for charities, including:
-
Glass Door (formerly West London Churches Homeless Concern)
-
Kensington and Chelsea Forum for Older Residents
-
Word International Church
-
The Salvo Foundation
The large upstairs hall, known as Hume Hall after Cardinal Hume, who reopened the premises in 1984, is well used by the community. It hosts play sessions for parents and toddlers, Taekwondo classes, sports clubs, and performing arts. It is also available for AGMs, charity sales, and special events. Other smaller rooms can also be hired—please get in touch for details.
Our Outreach
& Support
Chelsea Methodist Church
is the only church with
a door on King’s Road
and welcomes many
visitors each Sunday. It
is fully wheelchair
accessible, with a lift to
the first-floor kitchen
and main hall.
Our community drop-in
provides vital support for
homeless individuals
and those in need.
Open four days a week, it offers:
-
Teas, coffees, and snacks
-
Laundry and shower facilities
-
Clothing and essential items
-
Pastoral and practical support
-
Secure postal service and GP services
Since 1998, we have hosted a winter night shelter with Glass Door, offering meals and a safe place to sleep
from November to March. The Narthex
café and courtyard also provide a welcoming space for rest and support.
