A Hucknall History

Saint Mary Magdalene

Our ancient Parish influence firstly centred from this Sutton Church. Timbers predating year 1115 continued serving combined townships through 1826, when they assigned a separate curate for servicing its north Hucknall Huthwaite Aisle. Calls for independent village facilities eventually had to compete against the rising popularity between newer Methodist factions.

Quaker Meeting House

Earliest non conformist settlers are found being heavily persecuted under parish laws, but Mansfield burial records date 1716 deaths of a Langford Quaker family from Dirty Hucknall. Lands off Hopkin Lane were later held in Trust of a Richard Leaver for housing Society farmers atop Little Lane, recorded by Mr Des Taylor.

Wesleyan Church

An Eleazor Boot founded introduction into the alternative Wesleyan preaching. He erected our first village church 1815, once cornering the market place. A larger replacement built 1890 facing Sutton Road gained title the Tram Terminus. This does retain familiar sight since extensive renovations started newly hosting faithful Greek Orthodox services.

Free Methodist Church

Quarrels divided Huthwaites Wesleyan followers, some whom grouped into forming another popular United Free Methodist faith. They erected a Main Street chapel before competitively siting in 1884 this Sherwood Street church. Displaying modern frontage after damaging subsidence, restorations were completed to mark its centenary reopening.

National Church Schools

Early Anglican influence taught Bible reading and all Sunday education before assisting Huthwaite gain its 1868 National school house. In licensed class rooms on Hopkin Lane these also officiated local parish services.   Added 1891 this Common Road school gives todays All Saints CofE funded youngster classes facing its later Parish Church.

Huthwaite Cemetery

Although a council run facility, full Parish duties included marriage and burial rights. Remotely conducting grave ceremonies in Saint Mary's small ancient Sutton yards outgrew available plots. Under a Local Board control they opened in 1889 a two acre cemetery, completed with this mortuary chapel seen when sited in Huthwaite.

Primitive Methodists

Details remain vague covering our third Methodist connection. Kellys 1891 description reveals when the Primitive Methodists chapel was established. Stones dating 1902 facing New Fall Streets titled structure suggest some prouder rebuild, although soon hidden by shop fronts. Worshipper numbers fell into joint beliefs before vacating store room.

All Saints Parish Church

Foundations laid 1902 by a Duchess of Portland paved unique construction using New Hucknall colliery stone. Dedication performed 1903 by Dr Ridding, the Lord Bishop of Southwell opened Huthwaites own Parish Church sited atop Common Road.   Full ecclesiastical rights thus established locally independent baptism and marriage ceremonies previously conducted at Sutton.

Huthwaite Vicarage

Rev. Francis N Bestwick was first instituted as vicar in the newly appointed Huthwaite parish into year 1918. Proposals for siting a vicarage were forwarded 1925, and facing Blackwell Road it notably shows extravagant proportions, even compared its adjacent church sited through parishioner donations. But below similar length gardens, it later allowed siting a wooden church hall

Pentecost Chapel

The last church ever built in Huthwaite dated 1963 on its front stone. Location on south end Main Street had been remembered replacing one of two wooden baptist style huts once sandwiched between two pubs. This Pentecost building architecturally offered a very modern looking place of worship.   Adoption by the West Nottinghamshire Christian Fellowship did manage to continually maintain falling devotional use for about 50 years until final sale.