The George Muller Museum in Ashley Down is not very well known but it celebrates the incredible story of how George Muller cared for and educated over 10,000 orphans in Victorian Bristol.
He was born in the Prussian village of Kroppenstedt, which is now in the eastern part of Germany, and spent much of his youth gambling and drinking until 1825 when urged by his father, Muller enrolled at Halle University in Germany to study theology.
He continued his mischievous lifestyle until November when, after being invited by his friend Beta to a Bible Study at the home of a gentleman named Herr Wagner, Muller became Christian and stopped drinking, gambling and stealing.
Muller became a missionary in London after graduating in 1829, but only two months after, he became ill and was sent to Teignmouth in Devon to rest and recover where he befriended Henry Craik and became minister at Cralk at Ebenezer Chapel.
After marrying Mary Groves in October 1830, Muller decided to stop taking his salary and instead rely entirely on voluntary donations and would never appeal for funds.
Muller moved to Bristol in May 1832 where he became a pastor for Gideon Chapel and Bethesda Chapel alongside his friend Henry Craik. In April 1840, they stepped down from leading Gideon Chapel, remaining leaders of just Bethesda. They also formed the "Scriptural Knowledge Institute for Home and Abroad" (SKI) which aimed to support missionaries at home and abroad, provide a source of cheap Bibles and tracts, open and support Day Schools and Sunday schools for adults and children, fund the education of poorer children and support the Orphan Homes.
Muller never fund-raised or asked for money and yet, as a man of great faith and prayer, received gifts (financial and in-kind) of around £100m (today’s value) which financed the building and resourcing of the Orphan Homes throughout the Victorian era first in Wilson Street and later at Ashley Down.
Muller housed and educated over 10,000 orphans through prayer, faith and the generosity of thousands throughout his lifetime.
The museum, which is free to enter, is hosted in one of the former orphan homes. Scroll through to see a fascinating gallery of photos from our visit to The George Muller Museum.
Mullers & The George Muller Museum, 45-47 Loft House, College Road, Ashley Down, Bristol, BS7 9FG.
1. Background
The first section of the museum focuses on the background of Muller. He was born in the Prussian village of Kroppenstedt, which is now in the eastern part of Germany, and spent much of his youth gambling and drinking until 1825 when urged by his father, Muller enrolled at Halle University in Germany to study theology. He continued his mischievous lifestyle until November when, after being invited by his friend Beta to a bible study at the home of a gentleman named Herr Wagner, Muller became Christian and stopped drinking, gambling and stealing. Muller became a missionary in London after graduating in 1829, but only two months after, he became ill and was sent to Teignmouth in Devon to rest and recover where he became minister at Cralk at Ebenezer Chapel. After marrying Mary Groves in October 1830, Muller decided to stop taking his salary and instead rely entirely on voluntary donations and would never appeal for funds. | adriana amor
2. Bethesda Chapel
Muller moved to Bristol in May 1832 where he became a pastor for Gideon Chapel and Bethesda Chapel alongside his friend Henry Craik. In April 1840, they stepped down from leading Gideon Chapel, remaining leaders of just Bethesda. The Communion set used by Muller during his time at Bethesda Chapel is on display at the museum. | adriana amor
3. Bell
The orphan home bell on display hung in the tower of the first orphan home. | adriana amor
4. Education
School rooms were built in the orphan homes to provide education to all the orphans living in them at a time when many children in Bristol would have had to pay for their schooling or were out at work at a young age. The education curriculum was of a high standard and consisted of a wide variety of subjects and involved annual examinations in February and March, Muller even employed a school inspector to ensure that these high standards were maintained. | adriana amor