The Full Story
Wesley's Place - A Live Music Listening Room
Why is there live music in a chapel, in a West Suburban church, on Friday nights? What kind of music is it? What does "family friendly" mean anyway? And who is Wesley?
Mission
Wesley's Place is here in La Grange to provide good musicians a venue for live music. And we are one of the few family-friendly (just coffee, soft drinks, water and cookies) places where children and young people can develop an appreciation for live music. Wesley's Place also fits into the vibrant Friday evening scene in La Grange, where there are dozens of restaurants and pubs for dining before or after the music. And Wesley's Place is hosted by the First United Methodist Church of La Grange, itself a key part of the community hosting other events such as the Methodist Attic rummage sale, Salt Creek Chamber Orchestra, one of the premier pre-schools in the area, and Sunday morning services in the beautiful sanctuary
Charles Wesley
Wesley's Place is named for Charles Wesley, an English Anglican cleric and a principal leader of the Methodist movement. Wesley was a prolific songwriter who wrote over 6,500 songs (mostly hymns) during his lifetime. His works include "And Can It Be", "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing", "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today", "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling", the carol "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", and "Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending". Like his brother John, Wesley's theology was guided by "discipleship" which holds that being Christian requires the faithful follower to live as Christ lived, following his teachings, which included social activism on behalf of the hungry, the homeless, the poor and strangers we don't even know. This church lives that social activism through Appalachian Service Project, Beds Plus, Community Assisted Rides, Pillars Community Health and other mission programs with direct involvement of members and friends of the church.
