About Us
Mission & Vision
Our mission is that the Wesley Centre will be developed as a place that's open to town centre communities every day of the week and become recognised as a friendly place of welcome, acceptance, support and refreshment; a place where the presence of God can be encountered.
We want the Wesley Centre to be part of Harrogate life - to create a space for people to connect; become a place of meeting between sacred and secular and where faith and spirituality means relationship and kindness.
We would like the Wesley Centre to be inclusive and flexible and play its part in tackling isolation and loneliness. We want to engage with groups of people who might need our help and to encourage giving as well as receiving.
Our Heritage
The building, a large Neo-Classical chapel, was designed and built by Lockwood & Mawson in 1862 for a prosperous Victorian Methodist community. It is now a Grade II listed church building and a dominant landmark in the town.
The organ, made by JJ Binns of Leeds, was installed in 1912 and accompanied a large choir and choirmaster.
Major redevelopments occurred in 1904, 1960 and 1994; the last of these brought the building in-line with disability access legislation, including ramp access and the installation of a lift. In 2014, Wesley Chapel in Harrogate became the Wesley Centre, under the auspices of the Nidd Valley Methodist Circuit and a management group was put in place.
It is surrounded by shops and offices and next door we have Springboard, the Harrogate Homeless Project day centre. Our main building is still home to the Wesley Chapel congregation but we now share our space with Presence Church, Hope Church, Harrogate Street Pastors, Lifeline and Green Pastures. Other groups using the building include Forward Together, Supporting Older People, Mencap, Musical Mums, Mums in Mind, WeightWatchers and the Liberal Democrats. In addition, regular concerts are held in the Upper Hall with visiting internationally-renowned musicians and we host events for Harrogate International Festivals.
Meet The Team
Pippa French
Pippa is our Manager. She oversees what is going on at the Wesley Centre and tries to keep everyone happy! She is responsible for the development of the premises and is available to answer any questions about what Wesley can do for you or your organisation.
Lynne Close
Lynne is our Administrator. She has an in depth knowledge about what happens at the Wesley Centre, so if you need information or would like to book a room, please contact her.
David Megginson
David is our Premises Manager. He knows the building inside out and helps all our users find their way around. He is also on hand to advise about any audio visual equipment you may need when hiring our spaces.