Methodists may have been derisive nickname given a few Anglican clergy in methodical pursuit of a mid 18th century Protestant movement. Followers thereafter honoured surname of one influential preacher John Wesley in promoting Wesleyan denomination. Methodism in Nottinghamshire became preached 1788 at Mansfield, as the Wesleyan Methodist Church Connexion encouraged spread through smaller towns and villages, plus building of chapels more locally covered by an 1807 appointed Mansfield Circuit.
Eleazor Boot introduced Wesleyanism into Hucknall-under-Huthwaite earlier same year. His own recent conversion had inspired preaching the cause in Hardstoft. Turning attention to Huthwaite finds lifelong appointment as an acting trustee from the formation of the new Mansfield Methodist Circuit. Meeting arrangements were simply roomed in an old Royal Oak Yard cottage, serving to convince a growing band of God fearing folk the Christian virtues having their own place of worship.
First actual chapel erected in Huthwaite cost £262.1s.2d. That was opened 1815 with a sermon by Daniel Taylor from Mansfield. Position cornering the future Market Place can only be illustrated on earliest 1835 layout. This continued serving loyal Wesleyan's upwards 75 years, having additionally introduced Sunday School class tuition. Some accounts depicted Eleazor of strict character, although judgement may seem rather unfair when inherently dealing with youthful pranksters. Fact he'd struck off some class listed members for not making up due payments was reason given behind 1849 divisions. Year happens to be when John Tagg decided to leave in pursuit of founding an alternative Huthwaite Free Wesleyan Church.
The old chapel yard offered a private burial ground for wife Rose, plus 1861 interment of founder Eleazor Boot laid aside her. Sons had relocated into nearby Ellispool housing, bringing and expanding their broader acknowledged Boot family profession of Mining Surveyors into Huthwaite. Grandson John Thomas Boot last gave grandfather Eleazor a comfortable retirement grandly re-homed at The Orchards. His 1869 chapel renovation eventually realised ageing structure needed a larger replacement. After opening a newly sited chapel, he'd respectfully relaid grandparents together in Blackwell churchyard to permit final sale of the old chapel site.
New replacement Wesleyan chapel opened June 6th 1890 with service preached by Rev C H Kelly. Its remained a prominently exposed Sutton Road landmark witnessing many changes while retaining well recognised frontage. Free Press reported vast extension managing to add extra rooms capable of soon accommodating 350 scholars. Funding was assisted by New Hucknall Colliery Company.
Opening those new Hucknall Huthwaite Wesleyan Sunday Schools gaining access off entirely filled length Old Fall Street in June 1893, equipped with heating and ventilation all totalling costing £1,000.
Yet another 1902 extension brought total building costs upwards £2,500. Rear side views indicate impressive functionality, whereas chapel frontage displayed more stylish charm befitting a familiar landmark long facing main village highway.
The Huthwaite Wesleyan Chapel became more frequently photographed since locally being known as the Terminus. That's because it marked where 1906 rails ended connection for the Mansfield electric tramway. Replacement by a 101 bus stop however, simply couldn't offer omnibus drivers safe turning point, to thereafter utilise the Market Place.
Hucknall Huthwaite Wesleyan congregations were those who started popular annual Whit walk parades. Schooling and many family homes kept up basic christian traditions, although all regular church goers noticeably diminished throughout that century. In 1932 all remaining Methodist factions joined one singular union creating a fully United Methodist Church. Wesleyanism lost English individuality, but finds an American revival long after Wesley visited.
Major internal fittings in a thereafter addressed Sutton Road Methodist Church were completed 1939. Actual program dates March 29th. Revealing dedication of a newly installed refurbished organ accompanied this chapels musical 50th jubilee.
Extended premises next had to play a part in the following war effort. Needing extra billeting floor space for more trainee Sherwood Foresters beyond the Drill Hall, also managed to provide troops a diner recreational mess.
Loss of congregational lives shared additional memorial listing on a United Methodist Plaque still displayed in the Sherwood Street chapel.
Fonder memories afterwards were shared by family members resuming regular chapel services and functions. Memorabilia kindly donated by the late Mac Clarkson adds more photos taken by member Ernald Lakin covering pantos and bazaar events. Loosely dated c1950s scenes might span anywhere from a 1949 Diamond Jubilee Service programme, to a Sunday School Thanksgiving. That latter 20 page souvenir presented following brief 1958 history sketching out an established 150 years of Sunday Schooling.
It is a great privilege to be associated with Sutton Road Methodist Church as its Minister, and I welcome this opportunity of introducing our Brochure which commemorates 150 years of Methodist witness in Huthwaite.
Our Church has a high place in the affections of many people in this district, and if this brochure moves you to a renewed sense of gratitude to God for the past as you read it, and also to an even more whole-hearted dedication of yourself to Him for the future, then this little booklet will have achieved a very worthy aim.
Yours very sincerely. Wilfred J. Verrinder
The noble cause of Methodism was started in Hucknall Huthwaite in 1807 by a man called Eleazer Boot, who had recently been converted, and who turned his attention to Huthwaite after successfully launching a case at Hardstoft. Later on in the same year the cause at Huthwaite was made part of the Mansfield Methodist Circuit, and Mr Boot was appointed as acting trustee, a position which he held from 1807 to 1859 - over half a century!
The first preaching place in the village was in ”Royal Oak” yard, Blackwell Road, but the first actual Chapel was built in 1815, and cost £262-1-2! It was situated at the corner of the ”Pool” - now known as the Market Place. The first sermon was preached by a local preacher, Daniel Taylor, of Mansfield, and the last sermon in the old Chapel was preached there in 1890 by another local preacher Mr. D.C. Evans, of Huthwaite.
By this year the new Chapel was ready on the present Sutton Road site, and was opened on June 6th. by the then President of the Conference, Rev. C.H. Kelly. In 1892 a Sunday School was built at the rear, opening on to Old Fall Street. It consisted of a hall, a vestry with a gallery for the infant girls, and four more vestries. The infant boy's class met in the wings of the Chapel. The aggregate cost of the building was £2,500.
It is impossible in the space allowed to mention members by name, but each one is counted in the fact that both Church and Sunday School prospered, and the list of members and workers grew. The Sunday afternoon and evening services were well attended. The ministers gave good leadership, and were well supported by a very good band of local preachers - ordinary men from all walks of life who became ”extra ordinary” in their dedicated service as preachers, men who continued to pray and to study to become workmen worthy of their high calling.
Preachers (both ministerial and lay) had to face serious difficulties in those days, including atrocious weather at times, and long distances to be travelled, but tribute should be made to their faithfulness in keeping their appointments. Journeys in those early days were mostly made on foot or by means of a horse lent by a kindly friend, or perhaps by the horse and trap of the Circuit ”Horse Hire Fund ”.
In the early days of the Church, afternoon and evening were the times for public worship. This suited the preachers for travelling. Later the times were changed to morning and evening, which made a longer day for the preacher. During the 1914-18 war, morning and afternoon sessions were held, as Zeppelins might be expected, and the Chapel was not blacked out, but after the war, there was a return to the morning and evening times of worship again.
The Sunday School met in the morning and afternoon, and grew in numbers both of scholars and teachers. The afternoon session for many years included an address to the combined school from one of the Staff, each teacher being supposed to take a turn. This gave variety for the listeners, and experience for budding preachers and speakers.
In 1904 the Church needed enlarging to accommodate the growing congregation, so an extension was made, and a hand-operated pipe organ installed. The pulpit was moved from behind the Communion Rail to the corner of the wing, and the choir seats were moved from the square in front of the rail into the extension between the Communion rail and the organ.
The cause continued to grow, and the School premises were the next to need enlarging. Steps were taken to get the necessary funds, but the 1914-18 war held up the alterations. The money, however, was invested, and so was ready for use when building operations could be started. August 23rd 1932 was the date of the stone-laying ceremony for the alteration and enlargement of the School building. Three side vestries were pulled down, and the large top vestry and the small adjoining one were made into the Primary. The vacant ground space between the Chapel and the old School Hall was then built on to make the new hall, with two vestries at the back and one at the front. This, with three vestries complete with sliding screens, and a new kitchen at the back of the old hall, made a useful addition for all sections of the Church.
At the Jubilee Services of the present Chapel in 1939 a reconstructed organ with an electric blower was opened and dedicated. During the second World War the old hall and the Primary were taken over by military personnel, and the new hall was opened as a Rest Room for members of the Forces. This needless to say, was much appreciated by the men stationed here.
After the war the premises were released, and the big task began of rebuilding the membership and the full life of the Church. The faithful body of devoted workers, sometimes few in number, but great in faith and work, still carried on, and the result of their labour is becoming more apparent. Methods like building and workers, change, but the same spirit continues and permeates the whole.
Society Classes for both sexes and all ages again began to meet weekly on Sunday afternoons, and on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Each Thursday the Mutual Improvement Class, open to all adults, and with open discussion on varied topics, was a valuable all-round education.
Throughout the years our Church has been noted for the quality of its music, and Tuesday night has always been ”Choir Practice” night. The Church owes much to its Choir for its regular weekly contribution in leading the singing and several worthy conductor and organists have consecrated their gifts, and made the musical side of our worship something to be remembered.
Later on, the Wesley Guild took the place of the preaching service and the Mutual Improvement Society in midweek, and some of the adult workers of today are living proof of its lasting work.
Preachers in earlier days always used to find a written message of welcome in the pulpit to greet them, usually supplied by the Guild, and more than one preacher found his heart ”strangely warmed” as he read it before taking the day's services. The introduction of the practice of taking the flowers from the Communion Table to sick and aged people, and the regular visitation of such people, also began a much-appreciated service. During the war, a depleted Guild met, as the early Christians and early Methodists had done, in each other's homes, to carry on the work.
Our Church in these days is still a hive of activity, both on Sundays and weekdays and there are few evenings when the premises have deserted air. The Married Ladies Class, the Family Circle, the Choir, the Youth Club (with its three sections), the Young Ladies' Group, the Men's Fellowship, all meet each week to 'keep the Christian flag flying'.
Huthwaite has always been a good 'Missionary Church' too, and has raised considerable sums over the years, for Foreign Missions. The Monday 'Annual Meetings' will be remembered as the Collecting Boxes were opened, and then the excitement as the missionary, home on holiday, told tales of the people 'across the sea'.
There are still two 'special days' which mean a lot to the younger members of our Church (and to a good many older ones as well). These are the Sunday School Anniversary Sundays, and the 'Walk-round' on Whit Monday. The route for this 'Walk' has changed only slightly ever since it was inaugurated, and it is still the one occasion in the year when Huthwaite market place is crowded and the 'walk' is halted while a short service takes place.
MINISTERS who have passed through this Sunday School Rev. E. Broughton - retirement in Brigus, New Foundland
Rev. D.C. Evans - retirement in Comber Co. Down
Rev. A. Adlington - Deceased
Rev. R.A. Highfield - living at Bulwell near Nottingham
SUNDAY SCHOOL SECRETARIES SUPERINTENDANTS Mr. J. Sprittlehouse Mr. Enock Ball and Mr. F. Weston Mr. F. Robins Mr. M. Brown Mr. G. Hill, W.A. Fidler Mr. G. Fisher Mr. A. Smith Mr. H. Heath, Mr. W. Fidler Miss M. Allsop, Mrs. Adlington Mrs. M. Hill, Mr. A. Dolman Mr. E. Robins, Mrs. J. Wells Mr. Alfred Wilson, Mr. H. Highfield Mr. A. Hague, Mr A. Smith Miss E. Bowler, Miss D. Lupton Miss J. Herrod, Miss K. Palfreyman Mr. Wilson Hill, Mr. A. Lupton Mr. R. Hill and Fd. Ball Mrs. L. Elliott, Mrs. A. Smith 1956 Mr. A. Smith, Mr. F. Wells Miss Jean Gasson, Miss U. Beighton Mr. G.W. Morris, Mrs. A. Adlington
SUPERINTENDANTS PRIMARY JUNIOR SENIOR Mrs. W.D. Hancock Mrs. A. Adlington Miss Joyce Herrod Miss S. Beighton Miss. S. Thorpe Miss. I. Fidler
TEACHERS Mr. Alan Smith Miss Shirley Beck Mr. G.W. Morris Mr. Peter Wells Miss V. Robinson Mr. A. Smith Mr. Alan Jarvis Mrs. H. Hallam Mr. Peter Clowes Mrs. J. Hardy Mr. Anton Beighton
LOCAL PREACHERS Mr. G.G. Hancock Mr. W. Nightingale Mr. E. Oakley Mr. J. Goddard Mr. S. Barlow Mr. F. Ball Mr. G. Adlington Mr. A. Daffin Mr. D.C. Evans (2) Mr. Wm. Fidler (1) Mr. E. Lee Mr. A.C. Evans (3) Mr. G. Wells Mr. H. Bradshaw
'THESE ARE THEY' Whom God hath called
To whom we owe our heritage, Who set our feet upon the way Boot Family Mr. W.H. Herrod Burrow's Family Mr. Enock Ball Mr. E. Stendall Mr. G. Farnsworth Mr. Albert Ball Mr. J. Sprittlehouse Mr. Mrs J. Farnsworth Mr. Wm. Fidler Mr. H. Heath Mr. F. Farnsworth Mr. W.B. Fidler Mr. William Hill Mrs. J.J. Wells Mr. Wilson Hill Mr. Joseph Winson Mrs. Watson Mr. Alfred Wilson Mr. M. Betts Mrs. A. Ball Mr. D.C. Evans Mr. W. Betts Mrs. R. Irvine Mr. A.C. Evans Mr. S. Watson Mr. Mrs. S. Offiler Mr. H. Highfield Mr. W. Bostock Miss A. Lee Mr. G. Wells Mr. W. Farnsworth Miss E. Bowler Mr. John Wells
Identifying fuller 1958 list of influential names may best help recognise some of the dedication stones placed along bottom side wall. Many simply read initials of little evident meaning. A few offer loving memory to past family or active church groups of the time. Although it seems reasonable to suppose they recognise sponsors helping cover chapel building costs, the named Rev EE Broughton may just be lasting tributes.
Sutton Road Methodist Church further managed to celebrate its centenary opening before Mrs Enid Jones recalled 1991 as year marking final closure. Invite for remaining congregation to join the last United Methodist Church in Sherwood Street might not have suited all. Preferential choice of that premises for dwindling numbers of combined worshippers presumably recognised adequate enough size, while mainly benefiting from recently completing extensive renovations afforded from a mining subsidence claim.
Advertised sale of the property raised interest from several potential buyers. Later intended conversion into a snooker hall fuelled general understanding how major structural maintenance had long been neglected. And necessary renovation became even less cost effective while left unused throughout a decade of spiralling inflation. Reluctant site demolition eventually seemed inevitable.
A last minute bid successfully introduced adoption by a Greek Orthodox Church. Some elderly residents quietly voiced surprised disbelief how visitors could claim a place in this predominantly white British christian district. Only real issue was busy meetings initially blocked narrow street parking access. While Greek church members warmly won respect affording to solve concerns, they had already quashed any far broader outcry arising if this historic landmark building had otherwise been sadly lost for evermore.
Purchase by the Greek Orthodox Church had been made financially viable aided by National Lottery funding. Ensuring structural integrity must have prioritised unknown internal work since transferring dedication to their own christian Saints Cyril and Methodius.
Casually noticing 2003 scaffolding revealed newer windows set in cleaner stonework also seen facing Old Fall Street. Preservation of a nostalgic frontage is further seen 2017 given a final fuller and bolder coloured face lift proudly presenting external renovations.