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The first sermon of the celebrated evangelist George Whitefield will be re-created in Gloucester this weekend.
Whitefield was born in Gloucester, at the Bell Hotel in Southgate Street and attended the Crypt School, was one of the founders of the Methodist movement and helped to spread the “Great Awakening” across America in the 18th century, often drawing great crowds.
He is a revered figure in the US and the recreation of the sermon will take place at St Mary de Crypt in Southgate Street at 4pm ahead of the USA’s Rugby World Cup pool game against Japan.
Whitefield will be played by an actor who has previously taken his character. The event takes place in the same location and using the very same pulpit that Whitefield preached from originally.
Officials from the US Embassy, who are travelling to Gloucester to watch the rugby, will be present. They will also visit Down Hatherley, birthplace of Button Gwinnett who is the second signatory of the US Declaration of Independence, and Gloucester Cathedral, where John Stafford Smith, composer of the music for the Star Spangled Banner, was educated. Stafford Smith was the son of the Cathedral organist.
Last year marked the 300th anniversary of Whitefield’s birth. St Mary de Crypt is the subject of a major restoration project being supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, subject to organisers being able to raise sufficient match funding and a successful Stage 2 bid. They hope Sunday’s event will highlight the project and attract pledges of support.
City Council Leader Paul James, himself an Old Cryptian, has helped to organised the event – which is free of charge and open to all. He said, “Whitefield is one of the city’s great figures and it is right that we should celebrate his life and achievements. We have very strong historic links with American and I believe we should take advantage of the USA playing in Gloucester to highlight them. I would encourage as many people as possible to come along on Sunday.”