John Wesley Monument - Reynolds Square - Savannah, GA. - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

This statue of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, is located in a beautiful square in historic Savannah, GA. The statue is surrounded by Live Oak trees. There are also several historic markers in the square. The statue is made of bronze and inspires a sense of peace and serenity.

From SIRS - John Wesley Monument:

"A full-length portrait of John Wesley at age thirty-three dressed in long clerical robes. He stands with his proper right hand extended with his palm facing up. An open Bible is held to his chest with his proper left hand. The sculpture has a bronze base and is mounted on a square base of polished granite. The monument is set in a rectangular, brick-paved patio, surrounded by four granite benches."

From the City of Savannah web site:

"John Wesley is the founder of Methodism. Wesley came to Savannah in 1736 as an Anglican clergyman to the Colony of Georgia. Returning to England in 1738, his stay in Savannah was short. inspired by his associations with Moravians in Georgia and later in England, he revised his ideas and eventually formed the United Societies, a Protestant sect which evolved into the Methodist Church. In Savannah, Wesley resided near Reynolds Square. The Wesley Monumental Church, located on the periphery of Reynolds Square, is named in his honor."

Text on the monument:

Front of base, gold lettering:

JOHN
WESLEY

1703-1791

FOUNDER
OF
METHODISM
MINISTER
OF THE
CHURCH OF ENGLAND
IN SAVANNAH
1736-1737

(South side of base, gold lettering:)

MY HEARTS DESIRE
FOR THIS PLACE
IS NOT THAT IT BE
A FAMOUS OR A RICH,
BUT THAT IT MAY BE
A RELIGIOUS, COLONY:
AND THEN, I AM SURE,
IT CANNOT FAIL
OF THE
BLESSING OF GOD.

JOHN WESLEY

(Back of base, gold lettering:)

WESLEY LIVED LOVED AND LABORED HERE.
AS GOD LET HIM TOWARD
HIGHER DEDICATION AND
A LARGER MINISTRY.

ERECTED
BY THE
METHODISTS OF GEORGIA
AND
CITIZENS OF SAVANNAH
IN
1969

MARSHALL DAUGHERTY, SCULPTOR

(North side of base, gold lettering:)

I FELT MY HEART
STRANGELY WARMED.
WHILE WE LIVE, LET US LIVE IN EARNEST.
I LOOK UPON ALL THE WORLD
AS MY PARISH.
THE REST ALL IS,
GOD IS WITH US.
JOHN WESLEY

(Plaque at base:)

TO THE MORAVIANS. ON THE 250TH YEAR OF THEIR ARRIVAL HERE THIS MARKER PLACED IN APPRECIATION OF THE PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL NURTURE GIVEN BY THE MORAVIANS TO REV. JOHN WESLEY UPON HIS ARRIVAL IN GA, 1736, AND LATER IN ENGLAND. THE MORAVIAN SITE IS 2 BLOCKS SOUTH.

THE METHODIST OF GEORGIA, 1985”

TITLE: John Wesley Monument ARTIST(S): Daugherty, Marshall Harrison DATE: Commissioned Feb. 1967. Modelled 1967. Dedicated Aug. 3, 1969 MEDIUM: Sculpture: bronze; Base: Royal Pearl granite. CONTROL NUMBER: IAS GA000622 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: Is located at the intersection of Abercorn Street and St. Julian Street. The address of a nearby restaurant is: The Olde Pink House Restaurant 23 Abercorn St Savannah, GA 31401 DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: None Noted

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