This article is about the English parish and town. For other uses, see Epworth (disambiguation).

Epworth is a small town and civil parish in the Isle of Axholme, North Lincolnshire, England. As the birthplace of John Wesley and Charles Wesley, it has given its name to many institutions associated with Methodism. Their father, Samuel Wesley, was the rector from 1695 to 1735.

Description

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, is located in the Isle of Axholme. The Isle is so called because 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 1360 by John de Mowbray, Lord of the Manor, gave many privileges and freedoms which were long cherished and protected. The deed caused repercussions in the reign of Charles I of England when Vermuyden 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 periodic "warping" (intentional flooding to deposit silt and enrich the land), 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..

Historical buildings

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.Epworth Show The Epworth Show has been part of Epworth's Calendar for over 60 years. The Show takes place on August Bank Holiday Monday, but the Show Committee organise Four Saddle Club events between May and September as well as a Beer Festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend.Festival of the plough

Epworth has hosted the Epworth Festival of the Plough agricultural fare in recent years.

References

External links

• The Parishes of the Isle of Axholme: Epworth
• Epworth Show
• Isle of Axholme website
• Epworth Bells - news and information