Methodism first came to Ashbourne in 1754 when a visiting preacher, Thomas Hanby, was “making an excursion into the wilds of Derbyshire”. Having preached at nearby Wotton and Snelston, he was keen to preach in Ashbourne, but “was at a loss how to introduce himself”. Hanby then heard of a sympathetic toll-gate keeper in Ashbourne and, having introduced himself, preached at the toll-house. When Hanby returned some 2 weeks later, however, he found that the Commissioners of the Toll Road had forbidden his preaching there, but a sympathetic local farmer offered his home instead, although an aggressive mob formed outside the farm house. A year later, though, John Wesley received a more friendly welcome.
Protrait reproduced by courtesy of the University Librarian and Director, The John Rylands Library, The University of Manchester
One of the grandest churches in Derbyshire, with a slender spire of 212 feet. Referred to in the Doomsday book, the present church building dates from the mid 1200's and contains fine stained glass and monuments.
This Chapel was built in 1879-81 to replace an earlier chapel in Compton. It has an Italianate Neoclassical facade, reflecting a period when non-conformists wanted to make their chapels look different from the Gothic revival churches.
The Ashbourne Methodist Society was officially formed in April 1755.