Wesley House
History
Wesley House was founded in 1921 as a Wesleyan theological college for the training of Methodist ministers within the precincts of the University of Cambridge.
The first Principal, was Maldwyn Hughes [architect of the Deed of Union], pictured here with the first year's intake of students.
The students were mostly graduates who studied theology on the Tripos [Cambridge BA] and remained in Cambridge for a further year to study more Greek. One of the earliest students was Donald Soper.
The College was the vision of Michael Gutteridge who endowed the college. Tradition has it that he proposed to the Wesleyan Conference the building of a theological college in Cambridge. He was thanked for the endowment but asked to build it in Oxford where the links with Wesley were stronger. Gutteridge replied that his vision from the Lord clearly stated Cambridge. It would be Cambridge or nothing.
The chapel was endowed by Michael Gutteridge and also the library which is named after his wife, Ada. This 1934 view of the chapel was taken through the main gate. Originally a three-sided court, fronted by iron gates and railings, Wesley House was enclosed in 1973 with the building of the Rank Building, providing flats for married students and a state of the art lecture theatre.
Mr Wesley himself never visited Cambridge. The nearest he preached was at Bottishamlode, some 7 miles distant because the puritan divines of Trinity would not admit him to the precincts of the University. His only comment in his journal is on the appalling roads!