A Hucknall History
Religious Influences
Primitive Methodists
Constructing this third nonconformist place of worship in Hucknall-under-Huthwaite opened the 1884 Primitive Methodist chapel. A now long redundant church still stands in what began as a sizeable well exposed corner plot during early residential developments along Sutton Road. The only close neighbour then was an adjacent Post Office yard initially edging width along New Fall Street.
Primitive Methodist title stone remains readily visible off Market Street. Initial prominent placement invited rear views of former chapel size, although walling had long blocked off past entrance.
Modest dimensions seemed sufficient enough for seating greater numbers than first provided by either longer established Wesleyan and United Methodist chapels. But following similar architectural layout for an 1884 opening, untimely happens around same period of planned construction for newly siting those larger replacements.
Both those other church advancements thereafter left a comparably smaller Primitive Methodist chapel. Popularity was fondly retold through family beyond living memories. But earliest closure has to account for a distinct lack of donated memorabilia to likewise assist adding details for an otherwise vaguely known history.
Mapping core part of rapid residential expansion into 1899, reveals defined shape and comparable sizes between all three newly sited Hucknall-under-Huthwaite chapels amid all that housing. Majority of shown properties were also built throughout same five year period..
HUCKNALL HUTHWAITE- PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL.- On Sunday last, two sermons were preached in the above place, by the Rev. D. Hurd, of Ripley, and on Monday, there was a public tea. In the evening, a lecture was delivered by the same gentleman, entitled, "Fifty years in the Ministry." Mr. W. Pembleton occupied the chair. The services, tea, and lecture were largely attended and the collections good.
Prestigious or prominent roadside locations were equally sought for establishing shop front businesses. Its easier to see now how the Primitive Methodist Church only claimed small part that large vacant prime corner spot. Just a year or two after opening chapel services their building became largely hidden behind a taller row of shops.
Free Press 1893 On Good Friday a ham and tongue tea was held at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Hucknall Huthwaite, and was followed by a miscellaneous entertainment given by the choir and friends. On Easter Day sermons were preached by the Rev. Jas. Badmington, of Sutton, and in the afternoon the choir gave a service of song, entitled "Pioneers of Primitive Methodism," Mrs. Badmington giving the connective readings. Collections were in aid of trust funds.
Dedication stones facing New Fall Street all date Nov. 8TH 1902 laid by following given names. These can at least confirm when a more prominent frontal extension added a tower butting up behind existing shops. Rare scenes capturing completed frontage notes how it managed to remain distantly distinguishable from and beyond a 1906 Huthwaite tram terminus. Unfortunately for this chapel, even that view would be blocked after filling vacant plot on opposite corner into New Fall Street by 1909. Year recognises opening a new Huthwaite Post Office in middle an extra three Bottoms display windows. Spaandermans chemist longer kept facing corner.
Front foundation sponsored stones read LAID Nov. 8TH 1902 by :- E. HOLMES. on behalf THE YOUNG MENS CLASS; D. HURSTHOUSE. on behalf THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS; S, WATSON Esq; C.H. HERBERT Esq; C.H. COUPE; T. METCALF; W. PEMBLETON on behalf of the TRUSTEES; M.E. TURNER on behalf the CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR CLASS.
Four more stones evident along right sidewall can only altogether suggest a short frontal extension was simply aimed to maximise all available roadside plot when presenting a grander looking windowed exterior proudly inviting entrance. Need for more room likely followed trend for larger chapel Sunday School classrooms. Limitations of this claimed plot may prove real practical enlargement had to be similarly made filling rear width, finally forming shown T shape blocking off Market Street access.
Nottinghamshire Free Press 1909 A large gathering assembled at the Primitive Methodist Church, Huthwaite, to hear a two hours recital of story and song by Miss Snape and Miss Forster, who had been conducting a mission at the Church. Mr. Mann presided and Mr. J. W. Allsop accompanied. Councillor Haywood also gave a short address.
Notts Free Press - Jan 1st 1932 On Monday evening the members of the Primitive Methodist Church held a miscellaneous entertainment on behalf of the Trust funds. The programme was of a diversified but meritorious order, consisting of songs, recitations, duets, quartettes and humorous sketches. There was a good attendance, and Mr. I. Ball, an old friend from Stanton Hill, was the chairman. The contributers to the programme by song or story were Messrs. J. Mann, D. Burton, Hardy, Marshall Colley, Spencer and M. Burton, Mrs. Hursthouse, Misses L. Mitchell, S. Mitchell, I. Ball, A. Pembleton, E. Pembleton, M. Dykes, E. Iball, E. Allsop and E. Quick.
Broader research through Nottinghamshire Free Press archives hasn't yet managed to uncover any specific chapel developments, but does identify some grouped interests naming regular congregational members contributing to various entertaining events. Mr J W Allsop certainly appears long being their resident musical accompanist from piano through to the installation of a church organ.
Noticeable difference between January and December 1932 reportage is the Primitive Methodist Church has been renamed to the New Fall Street Methodist Church. That reflects year when all individualistic Huthwaite Methodism denominations merged under one Methodist Church. Both Wesleyan Church and Free Methodist Church were likewise identified thereafter by unique address.
New Fall Street Methodist Church
Notts Free Press - Dec 30th 1932 At the New Fall Street Methodist Church a Christmas effort was made on Sunday by the Male Voice Choir. The preacher during the day was Mr. R. Butler (Newton), who delivered excellent sermons. He also presided in the afternoon at a musical service where a number of items were given in good style by the Male Voice Choir, conducted by Mr. J. Colley. Soloists were Mr. A.E. Cooke (Sutton), bass, and Mr. J. Ball (Stanton Hill), tenor. At the evening service further items were contributed by the Male Voice Choir and Mr. Ball, the music being a very praiseworthy order throughout. The organist was Mr. J.W. Allsop, while Mr. W. Allsop, junr, accompanied the vocalists on the piano. The collections were on behalf of the Trust Funds.
Notts Free Press - Feb 17th 1933 A Ladies' Guild effort at New Fall Street Church on Sunday and Monday was a great success. The Rev. E. Sellars was the preacher, and on Sunday afternoon a musical service was given by the Kirkby Ladies' Choir of 20 voices, who rendered solos, duets and choruses. The conductress was Mrs. Attwood and the pianist Mrs. Wright. Miss Celia Collier was the elocutionist. At the evening service the Ladies' Choir and Miss Collier again took part, and the Ladies' Guild Choir contributed a part song. Mr. J.W. Allsop officiated as organist. On Monday 80 sat down to a public tea, which was followed by a variety entertainment presented by the Stanton Hill Albert Street Young People's Concert Party, who received a great ovation. The chairman was Mrs. Ivine, who proposed a vote of thanks to the party, which was seconded by Mrs. Mitchell. Mr. H. Jones was the accompanist, and the entertainers acquitted themselves well in the following programme:-...
Notts Free Press - July 7th 1933 On Sunday the New Fall Street Sunday school anniversary services were concluded, the outstanding feature being that the offertories were greater than last year. On Sunday morning the beautiful weather allowed of the children visiting the west side of the town to sing hymns and delight the onlookers. They were accompanied by the same officials as last week, the out-door proceedings being a great success. The repetition of the programme in church was also again highly appreciated, and sermons were preached by Mr. G.G. Berry (Hucknall). A very encouraging anniversary ended with £10 10s. for the Sunday schools.
Notts Free Press - Dec 1st 1933 A successful effort by the New Fall Street Church Ladies' Guild was commenced on Sunday, the proceeds being devoted to the Guild funds. The preacher on Sunday was Mrs. Banks (Glapwell), who also presided at a service of song in the afternoon. The title of this was "Left Alone" and the connective readings were given by Miss E. Colley. At the evening service two solos were rendered by Mrs. Smedley, of Ripley, and part songs were contributed by the Ladies' Choir. The organist and accompanist during the day was Mr. J.W. Allsop. On Monday a rehearsal of a concert for the following day was given in the schoolroom. There was a very good audience and the various items were well received.
The Ladies Guild effort at the New Fall Street Church continued on Tuesday with a ham and tongue tea, all the arrangements being made by the ladies. An entertainment was given afterwards, the chairman being Mrs. Vann, of Stanton Hill. Vocalists were Mrs. Munns (East Kirkby), Mrs. Bowmar and Mrs. Jones, and a sketch was presented. The musical director was Mr. J.W. Allsop and the pianist Mrs. W. Allsop. The secretarial arrangements on behalf of the Ladies' Guild were carried out by Mrs. F. Sowter.
Notts Free Press - Sep 20th 1935 The harvest festival was celebrated at the New Fall Street Church on Sunday, and was a gratifying success. The decorations were the best of recent years. An unusually large amount of produce had been given by members and friends and it was artistically displayed. The preacher, both afternoon and evening, was Mr. C. Saunders, of Sutton, ...
On Monday evening the produce was sold by the oldest church member, Mr. C. Mann, senr., the result being added to Sunday's offertories.
Without any personal memory of this chapel ever being used for Christian services, exact year of closure cannot even be readily suggested. Dwindling numbers of regular church goers dropped noticeably into the 1970s, to presume this smallest Huthwaite Methodist Church would be first losing sufficient congregations.
Final known use for storage room led to simply noting some renovation before 2016 corporate signing secured portal addressing.
21 Aug 09 by Gary Elliott Updated 19 Jan 22