Bunhill Fields Burial Ground – Methodist Roots

In Methodist Roots, a special teaching series with our Assembly of Bishops, you’ll discover the history of Methodism and understand how key features of the faith influence the church today. Throughout the series, you’ll also learn about important and sacred Wesleyan sites that serve as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and calling. Each week, you’ll experience snippets of these significant sites. In this video, you'll explore Bunhill Fields Burial Ground in London, England. Bunhill Fields (shortened from “Bonehill”) was used as a cemetery for London’s citizens who were not members of the Church of England. They were called Dissenters because they worshiped in other Christian churches, thus dissenting from the Book of Common Prayer. Persons buried there include John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim’s Progress, Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe and the hymnwriter Isaac Watts. Susanna Wesley was buried there upon her death in 1742. This is the cemetery closest to the Foundery. While she was a member of the Church of England and the wife and mother of Anglican clergy, her grandparents were all dissenters.