A statue of a bare-breasted woman whose torso was discreetly covered for centuries has been found in a Bristol church house where John Wesley worshipped.

There is speculation that the half-clad figure was considered too much of a distraction for Wesley, the founder of Methodism, and his followers.

The figure, holding a cornucopia of fruit, is suspected to be Abundantia – a Roman personification of abundance and prosperity.

The statue is thought to have arrived in the UK from Europe and to have been placed in the house soon after it was built in the 17th century.

In the 18th century theologian Wesley (1703-91) held prayer meetings in the building before his move to a purpose-built place of worship – the New Room.

The statue was found above a fireplace during a lottery-funded restoration of the 12th-century Priory Church of St James and the church house.

Conservation experts removed a lead cuirass (a piece of armour consisting of a breastplate and backplate) from the figure. She now stands – as they believe the artist intended – with her green frock pulled down and a red shawl wrapped around her shoulders.

Andrew Ziminski from Minerva Stone Conservation has written an article on the figure in Cornerstone, the magazine of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. He said: "She is pretty super. The figure had a lead breastplate that covered the bosom and the breasts had also been painted over. She was covered in a brown sludge and we found her tucked away above the fireplace.

"The house dates from the 17th century and John Wesley used to hold prayer meetings there.

"Although he [Wesley] wasn't much of a prude himself, it was perhaps his followers who wanted the figure covered up – bosoms are bosoms and flesh is flesh.

"She does not feel English to me and could have been taken to Bristol by someone visiting the city on a ship."

The church and associated house have been restored and now comprise a place of worship, meeting rooms and a cafe.