An appeal has gone out to Methodists to increase their support to Epworth Old Rectory, the childhood home of their Church founder John Wesley and his brother, hymn writer Charles, as the historic site experiences a period of financial hardship, reports the Methodist Recorder.

The Rectory has struggled to make ends meet for "some time", reports the newspaper, with a 2007 Methodist Council report alluding to "inadequate visitor numbers and low income" as the cause of the current difficulties.

While the site costs £60,000 a year to run, local preacher and treasurer to the Rectory's board of trustees Keith Rothery said that the building was only managing to generate an annual income of £30,000.

He is one of a number of Methodists who have turned to Methodist Church members to come out in support of the site by offering a monetary donation.

"It's an important Methodist heritage site and we need the Methodist people to continue to support it," he said.

The Rectory, regarded affectionately by many Methodists as the birthplace of Methodism, depends on donations from churches and individuals for its survival.

The Methodist Recorder warned that the site would "struggle to survive in the long-term" if more financial help did not come in, despite managing to gather £20,000 in gifts in the first half of 2007.

To find out more about the Epworth Old Rectory and how to donate go to http://www.epwortholdrectory.org.uk/