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Show "WESLEY'S CATHEDRAL" One of the most widely known and most interesting places of worship in London was almost wholly destroyed by fire yesterday morning. The edifice referred to is the City Road Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. The building has been for more than a century a prominent object in the important thoroughfare to which it owed its name. It stood in the center of a large piece of ground, in which have been interred many who held names that are venerated in the Methodist world. It was a plain structure, bother internally and externally, harmonizing in its severe simplicity with the distinguishing characteristics of the founders of the great religious society to which it belonged. It consisted of a principal chapel and galleries capable of accommodating 2,000 people, a smaller structure known as "John Wesley's Morning Chapel," and sundry class rooms and vestries. The larger chapel possessed a fine frescoed ceiling. The entire building was warmed by a hot air apparatus, and there is little doubt that the fire originated in the flue. It was first observed a little after 6 yesterday morning by a policeman, who at once aroused the Rev. John Baker, M.A., the resident minister. Already the flames had a strong hold upon the morning chapel. Messengers were dispatched for the fire engines, and in a brief period of several steamers were on the spot, Capt. Shaw, O.B., being present to direct operations. Unfortunately, however, great difficulty was experienced in obtaining water, the intense frost having fixed the plugs so hard that fully half an hour was occupied in moving them. The conflagration spread rapidly and by the time water was obtained it was evident that the morning chapel was doomed. It is utterly destroyed. From the smaller building to flames extended rapidly to the "City Road Chapel," properly so called, seizing upon the gallery running the whole length of the left side. This has been entirely consumed, and the back of the chapel - in form a semi-circle - has been thoroughly gutted. In this portion of the building stood the communion table, surrounded by elaborate monuments, one recently erected at a cost of 1,000, to the memory of the late Dr. Waddy, father of Mr. S.D. Waddy, Q.C. M.I. the other monuments include tablets and memorials in honor of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism; Charles Wesley, author of most of the hymns used by the community; Dr. Coke the celebrated missionary; the Rev. John Fletcher, vicar of Madeley ; the Rev. John Watson, author of the "Institute;" the late Dr. Jabez Bunting, Adam Clarke, the commentator, and many others, All these have seriously suffered, but not to the extent that might have been expected, considering the great heat to which they were exposed. The ceiling is irreparably damaged; indeed Capt. Shaw is doubtful whether the roof can be saved. The columns supporting the galleries are burned a considerable distance down on one side, and the whole interior very much injured. The pulpit, however, from which John Wesley preached has fortunately been preserved, and the vestries at the back have practically escaped. It is feared that a rubbing from the actual plate on Wesley's coffin has sustained considerable injury, and if so, the historic relic can not be replaced. Mastery over the fire was obtained about 8 o'clock. The buildings are insured for 7,000. <br><br> London Daily. |