Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

John Wesley Statue

— Wesley Place Heritage Trail —

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 3, 2026

1. John Wesley Statue Marker

Inscription. Marking the Methodist Church's centenary

This bronze statue commemorates the founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley (1703-1791). It was presented to the Church in 1935 to mark the centenary of Methodism in Victoria. The work of sculptor Paul Montford, the statue was commissioned by the Cato family, who ran a chain of grocery stores in Melbourne. A man of both reason and religion, John Wesley's work continues today in Methodist churches worldwide, in the Uniting Church and wherever personal and social holiness are brought together.

Erected by Wesley Place. (Marker Number A2.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.

Location. 37° 48.618′ S, 144° 58.099′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in the Central Business District. It is on Lonsdale Street 0.1 kilometers west of Jones Lane, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 130 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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it is in Oceania,

Australasia,

the Pacific Ocean,

South Pacific,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wesley Church (here, next to this marker); Balit-dahn Balit-nganjin (Their Strength, Our Strength), 2021 (a few steps from this marker); Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (a few steps from this marker); The Nicholas Family (a few steps from this marker); Princess Mary Club (a few steps from this marker); Nicholas Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Former Manse (within shouting distance of this marker); Archaeology and Artefacts (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Also see . . . Stop A2: John Wesley's Statue. Wesley Place

Marking the Methodist Church’s centenary

This bronze statue commemorates the founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley (1703-1791). It was presented to the Church in 1935 to mark the centenary of Methodism in Victoria. The work
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 3, 2026

2. John Wesley Statue Marker and Statue
of sculptor Paul Montford, the statue was commissioned by the Cato family, who ran a chain of grocery stores in Melbourne. At its heart, the theology of John Wesley stressed a life of Christian holiness and free will in spiritual matters.

The heart of Wesleyanism

Wesleyanism is named after John Wesley, an Anglican Priest, who inspired and organised a renewal movement within the Church of England that focused on personal faith and holiness. It became a separate church after his death in 1791.

The theology of John Wesley stressed a life of Christian holiness, personal and social: to love God with all one’s heart, mind, soul and strength and to love one’s neighbour as oneself. He preached the gospel to the poor, and proclaimed God’s universal love toward all through Jesus Christ. John Wesley’s work continues today in Methodist churches worldwide, in the Uniting Church in Australia and wherever personal and social holiness are brought together.

(Submitted on June 18, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 18, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.