Epworth, Lincolnshire
- This article is about the English parish and town. For other uses, see Epworth (disambiguation).
| Epworth | |
|---|---|
| Population | 3,734 (Parish) |
| OS grid reference | SE7803 |
| • London | 147 mi (237 km) SSE |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | DONCASTER |
| Postcode district | DN9 |
| Dialling code | 01427 |
| Police | Humberside |
| Fire | Humberside |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
Epworth is a small town and civil parish in the Isle of Axholme, North Lincolnshire, England.[1] As the birthplace of John Wesley and Charles Wesley, it has given its name to many institutions associated with Methodism. Their father, Samuel Wesley, was the rector from 1695 to 1735.
Description
Epworth lies on the A161, about halfway between Goole and Gainsborough. The Axholme Joint Railway served Epworth; it is now closed.
Epworth, is situated in the Isle of Axholme. The Isle is so called because, until it was drained by the Dutch engineer Sir Cornelius Vermuyden (1627–1629), it was an inland island surrounded by rivers. A grant of the commons to the freeholders and other tenants, made by deed in 1360 by John de Mowbray, Lord of the Manor, gave privileges and freedoms.[further explanation needed] The deed caused repercussions[why?] in the reign of King Charles I when Vermuyden was given the task of draining the Isle. His work was an outstanding piece of irrigation engineering.
There has been extensive drainage since, which, together with periodic warping (intentional flooding to deposit silt and enrich the land), has made this an exceptionally fertile area.[citation needed]
The Isle of Axholme was originally the eight parishes of Althorpe, Belton, Crowle, Epworth, Haxey, Luddington, Owston and Wroot.[2]
Historic buildings
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The Old Rectory, a Queen Anne style building, rebuilt after the fire of 1709, has been completely restored and is now the property of the World Methodist Council. It is maintained as a museum. It is also the site of supposed paranormal events that occurred there in 1716, while the Wesley family was living in the house.[3][4]
Epworth's parish church is dedicated to Saint Andrew, located on a hill overlooking the town. Its architecture suggests[according to whom?] that its oldest part may have been built in the late 12th century with later additions in the 14th and 15th centuries. It is probable that a church stood on the site earlier than that.[citation needed]
As Epworth is said to be the 'Home of Methodism' there is a grand Methodist Church in the centre of the town. This was built in 1888 (opened for worship in 1889) and continues to be a busy hub in the centre of the community. The church (along with the town as a whole) attracts hundreds of visitors from around the world each year tracing the history of the Methodist movement.
An example of the Dutch influence on local architecture can be seen in the building now used as the Post Office, situated in the High Street.[citation needed]
Epworth Show
The Epworth Show has been held for over 60 years. The show takes place on the August Bank Holiday Monday, but the show committee organise four horseback riding events between May and September as well as a Beer Festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend.[citation needed]
Festival of the Plough
Epworth has hosted the Epworth Festival of the Plough agricultural fair for a number of years.[citation needed]
Notable people
Beside John and Charles Wesley, other notable people associated with Epworth are:
- John de Mowbray, 4th Baron Mowbray, born in Epworth[5]
- Alexander Kilham, founder of the Methodist New Connexion, born in Epworth
- Ian Botham, cricketer, former resident[citation needed]
- Lesley Garrett, opera singer, lives in Epworth[citation needed]
- Benjamin Huntsman, inventor and manufacturer, born Epworth 1704[6]
- Sheridan Smith, actress, born Epworth in 1981[7]
References
- Notes
- ^ OS Explorer Map 280: Isle of Axholme, Scunthorpe and Gainsborough: (1:25 000) : ISBN 0 319 46432 6
- ^ Epworth Equestrian
- ^ Crain 2009, p. 109
- ^ Hall, Trevor H. (1965). New Light on Old Ghosts. Gerald Duckworth. pp. 14–25. ISBN 0715602314.
- ^ John de Mowbray, 4th Baron Mowbray, 3rd par.; as seen July 15, 2013, 9.55pm CET-Summer.
- ^ Alexander, Don (2007). What made the Steel city. ISBN 1901587681[page needed]
- ^ Temperton, Carrie (1999). Life of Sheridan Smith - Best Friends Forever. Gerald Duckworth. pp. 14–25.[ISBN missing]
- Bibliography
- Crain, Mary Beth (2009), Haunted Christmas: Yuletide Ghosts and Other Spooky Holiday Happenings, Globe Pequot, ISBN 0762752750
External links
- "The Parishes of the Isle of Axholme: Epworth"; Axholme-fhs.org.uk
- The Epworth Show; Epworthshow.org
- "Epworth"; Isleofaxholme.net
- The Epworth Bells; Epworthbells.co.uk