Epworth

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Epworth can also refer to the Epworth Hospital in Melbourne, Australia or the Epworth Sleepiness Scale developed in that hospital

Map sources for Epworth at grid reference SE7803

Epworth is a small town and civil parish in the Isle of Axholme, North Lincolnshire, England. As the birthplace of John and Charles Wesley. It has given its name to many institutions associated with Methodism.

Epworth lies on the A161 road, roughly halfway between Goole and Gainsborough. The Isle of Axholme Joint Railway served Epworth: it is now closed altogether.

Epworth, North Lincolnshire is located in the Isle of Axholme. The isle is so called, as 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 of 1360 by John de Mowbray, Lord of the Manor, gave many privileges and freedoms which were long cherished and protected. The deed was to cause repercussions in the reign of Charles I of England when Sir Cornelius was given the task of draining the Isle. His work was an outstanding piece of irrigation engineering.

There has been extensive drainage since that time which together with warping has made this an exceptionally fertile area and Epworth shares in this productivity.

The Isle of Axholme was originally the eight parishes of: Althorpe, Belton, Crowle, Epworth, Haxey, Luddington, Owston and Wroot.^[1]

Epworth's enduring fame however, is as the birthplace of John and Charles Wesley, the founders of Methodism. Their father, Samuel Wesley, was the rector there from 1695 to 1735.

[edit] Historical buildings

Saint Andrew's Parish Church

Tower of St Andrew's Church

The Old Rectory, a fine Queen Anne style building, rebuilt after the famous fire of 1709, has been completely restored and is now the property of the World Methodist Council. It is maintained as a museum.

Epworth's Parish Church is dedicated to Saint Andrew, located on a hill overlooking the town. Its architecture suggests 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.

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.