West Hallam Methodist Church

Proposals for the New Methodist Chapel
- 1989 -

Architects Proposals for the New Methodist Chapel, Replacing the Existing One.
Taken from the WHM Magazine May 1989

METHODIST CHURCH

MAPPERLEY WEST HALLAM Magazine 1992

By the late sixties numbers at Mapperley Chapel had fallen dramatically through lack of interest and there was only a handful of people still attending, most of whom were women.

"Mr Charles Bowley, who was Sunday School superintendent, always said he wanted a chapel at West Hallam and Maurice and Hilda Stephens said they would give us some, land on High Lane which used to be a pottery yard."

Addendum August 2022  The Stevens family have corrected who donated the old pottery yard land, It was William Stevens, father of Maurice Stevens.

The old building was bought by Mr Ivan Webster for £800 and he has used it as a timber store ever since. (Now a private dwelling) The last service at Mapperley was conducted by Ilkeston Methodist lay preacher Mr John Moorley.
Mr Webster wanted to take over the building immediately, so from August, 1969, until December, when the new £4,500 building was opened near Mapperley crossroads, services were held in the summer house of Ilkeston solicitor Mr Herbert Brewer at 137 High Lane West.

At the dedication service conducted by the Rev Arthur Snell, then the Superintendent Minister of the Ilkeston Methodist Circuit, the church's oldest member, the late Mrs Hannah Bridges, 84 at the time, was presented with the key to the church by William Wood Ltd. from Heanor, who did the building.

TEMPORARY

The building, however, is only a temporary one and within the next few years a permanent brick building must be built or the Methodists will have to think again about a home.

Dedication of West Hallam Methodist Church

Taken from the WHM Magazine of January 1992

The New West Hallam
METHODIST CHURCH
Dedicated

There was no similarity between the weather on Saturday 14 December, and the precincts of the new Methodist Church. This was the day for which many had prayed and hoped. At 2.30pm the Church was officially opened by its oldest member Mrs Flo Cooke, and her grandson, Master John Sanders. Supported by Ministers and Officials the Architect Mr David Atkins, Dip Arch, ARIBA, handed to them the key by which they unlocked the main door with the words “The door of this Church is opened in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the Glory of God and to the extension of his Kingdom.”

Inside the Church was filled to capacity with members, friends, and ministers from other Churches, infront.
West Hallam Brownies formed a guard-of-honour as Flo Cooke, the oldest member of West Hallam Methodist Church, John Sanders, Sunday School scholar, and dignitaries gathered at the Dedication. Pictured (left to right) are: Rev Geoffrey Clark, Flo Cooke, Rev Richard Hooton, Pastor Sheena Chisnell, John Sanders, Architect, David Atkin, and the Rev Albert Rochester. Including the Rector of West Hallam, Rev Ted Lyons. Pastor Sheena Chisnell who has done so much to inspire the members in their efforts opened with Prayer. Then Mr Andy Walters for the Builders, WH Wooton Ltd, brought workman’s tools to the Communion Table symbolising the worker’s offering to God. The Architect brought Plans and other papers and a key to the Church symbolising its completion.

Then followed an Act of Dedication by the Superintendent Minister of the circuit, the Rev Albert Rochester.
There was first a personal affirmation by the people present of their faith and dedication to the worship and service of Almighty God.

From then on were dedicated the Font, the Pulpit and a new Pulp Bible and the Communion Table then the Minister, Rev Richard Hooton led the congregation in an Act of Thanksgiving including Scripture Readings by a Church Steward, Sunday School Scholar and the President of the Women’s Meeting.

The Service ended with a wonderful Address by the Rev Geoffrey Clarke Chairman of the Nottingham and Derby Methodist District. A free will Offering taken up amounted to £500. After wards a Buffet tea was taken in the Church Hall at which many friendship were renewed.

John Parkinson

Above: The delightful Scargill School Christmas Concert in which all helped create a charming mix of pantomime and message.

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