| Parish/District | Epworth/North Lincs |
| Location | On the west side of Epworth market place |
| Category | Market cross |
| National Grid Ref | SE 78315 03788 |
| Designation | Listed II |
| Stone type | Limestone |
| Refs | |
| Visits | DS/HH: 4 June 2008 |
A very famous market cross in Epworth, outside the Mechanics Institute Library (the Old Court House of 1802). Pevsner and the listing state that the cross was reset in 1806. Was this a routine makeover or homage to its Wesleyan fame?
The cross has four heavily-weathered, circular steps, – these are clear on the many historic photographs (postcards) available, but in its modern setting, the bottom step is effectively submerged into the surrounding paved surface. The listing description describes it thus: Limestone ashlar; circular base of four steps, carrying square pedestal with plinth, panelled sides and stepped cap containing leaded socket and iron spike.
On top of the circular stepped base is a large square stone that is presumably a socket stone. Its top edge is shaped but the upper face is obscured by a large stone block. No shaft survives, although a late 19th century drawing and postcard show the cross with a cylindrical shaft topped with a ball. The images are poor but these are clearly later additions and not medieval; they probably derive from the 1806 makeover.
By 1906, a postcard shows the cross in use as a base for a lamp standard but by 1910 that has gone and the whole monument is encircled in an extraordinarily ornate cast iron tripod structure bearing the street lamp.
Epworth market cross is famous as the place where John Wesley, the developer and promoter of Methodism, preached and won converts to his creed. There is a plaque on the side of the cross which reads: JOHN WESLEY (1703 – 1791) PREACHED FROM THESE STEPS ON MANY OCCASIONS
compare with the recent photograph below
