This is the museum of London’s history. It is located in modern quarters in the Barbican off Aldgate Street, a development built up after the bombing near a corner of the old London Wall. The collection is arranged chronologically, beginning with pre-historic London and ending with World War II and the early post-war period. It includes artifacts, diagrams, clothing, dioramas, vehicles, books, photographs, films and much more, and makes numerous references to London churches and the religious life of the City. Admission is free. An item of particular interest to Christians of all backgrounds is the Aldersgate Flame, located outside on the side of the building to the right of the main entrance. It is a large bronze replica of the page from John Wesley’s Journal dated 24 May 1738, giving an account of a meeting that he attended ‘very unwillingly’ in Aldersgate Street (the event happened within yards of the Museum). It reads in part:
I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me, that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.