Sir, whatever the world may say of me, I have lived, and I die, a member of the Church of England.  I pray you to bury me in your churchyard. These words were spoken by Charles Wesley (1707-1788) the great Methodist hymn writer and author of such familiar hymns as Jesu, Lover of my soul, Soldiers of Christ arise, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and Love Divine all Loves Excelling .  Charles Wesley's wish was granted by the then Rector the Revd John Harley (after whom Harley Street was named).

St Marylebone has always had a close historical association with the Methodist Church.  We want to build on this, and with our near neighbour Hinde Street Methodist Church, we are committing ourselves to work as closely as we can to respond to Jesus Christ's commandment that His Church should be one. The Covenant we are currently working on will be more than a document expressing our desire to work and pray for unity.  It will set out a realistic programme of events: study groups, pilgrimages, joint services etc. that we hope will bring our two churches closer together in love and trust.  It is fitting that we begin this new relationship in 2007, the tercentenary year of Charles Wesley's birth, and we pray for the unity which Anglicans and Methodists once knew.