History of Clarke’s Lane and Inham Nook Methodist Churches

Methodism in Chilwell

Calligraphy panel produced by Sheila Hollingsworth using some of the history of ‘Chilwell Green’ (Clarke’s Lane) Church drawn from a 1998 bicentenary book by Wyn Davies.  In 2016, the panel was installed on a wall in the gallery of the Beeston Methodist Church building at Chilwell Road.

Methodism in Chilwell – Transcription of the Calligraphy Panel

John Wesley 1703-1791 – Rule for Christian Living …

Do All the Good You Can,
By All the Means You Can,
In All the Ways You Can,
In All the Places You Can,
At All the Times You Can,
To All the People You Can,
As long as Ever …
… You Can.

God is Love

Early Days

No record exists of John Wesley ever preaching in Chilwell but it is possible that he passed through the village on his way to Nottingham from Castle Donnington along with another great preacher John Nelson, as Chilwell was on the main road.

In 1774 during his first visit to Stapleford – a village about 2 miles from Chilwell – whilst preaching in the open-air, John Wesley laid his Bible on the shoulders of 14 year old Thomas Harrison.  So the Methodist cause was established and became known as Wesley Place.  – In Nottingham Methodism had existed since about 1741.

It is believed that close contact with Stapleford touched Chilwell villagers with the desire to know about Methodism and in 1795-6 [possibly the latter] Thomas Harrison and T. Allin came by invitation to establish a society.  Meetings were held in a cottage.  The earliest record of a cottage being used is the registration of the home of John Hopwell as a dissenting meeting house on 22nd September 1796.

Methodist New Connection

Sunday School, Chilwell, Established 1797
‘Suffer Little Children’ – ‘Holy Bible’

In August 1797 disagreements over the administration and sacraments came to a head.  Arguments had been taking place since the death of John Wesley in 1791.  – 5000 Methodists withdrew their membership and formed the ‘Methodist New Itinerancy’ later known as the Methodist New Connexion.  They were also referred to as ‘The Kilhamites’, named after Alexander Kilham first secretary of the M.N.C.  Chilwell became a Kilhamite Church.

The First Chapel

In 1798 the erection of a small chapel was completed; it stood on ninety square yards of land originally forming part of the gardens, Chilwell Hall opposite Hallams Lane, a simple structure it contained a gallery.  The initials of certain trustees and the year, where possible, were let into the bricks set in the front of the building.

A Sunday School was started.  Thomas Harrison walking over in all weathers, for many years.  Interesting details in a register from 1809 onwards include notes on scholars, dates of admittance, dates of progress to arithmetic and reasons and dates of dismissals.  Some were honourably dismissed, some for not knowing the catechism and for persistent absence.  The three R’s were taught in the Sunday school as the following extracts from school accounts show.

1805	Apl 27 –	6 Testaments @ 16d & – 12 Easy Lessons @ 5d	13.0
	Oct 27 –	By collection	£3.4.1
1806	May 31 –	1 dozen Copy Books	5.0
	Sept 28 –	Pens 11d Canes 9d	1.8
1807		Bought Books and Slates	£1.15.0

Membership fluctuated and an account left by John – son of James Huston – stated that attendance was small and often it was difficult to raise a tune.  In 1825 the school was not prosperous, having youths who were rough and unruly.  Spirit sprang afresh when John Turney, Charles Hollingsworth and John Lancaster – leading men in the school – spoke to the elder boys about “giving their hearts to God”.  John Hudston’s aunt came each Sunday and met with the girls after school.  A large number expressed a desire to follow Christ.  Numbers increased in class meetings and the cause began to do well.  By 1830 membership figures were 57.

Clarke’s Lane

A stone inscribed 1857 built into the wall of Clarke’s Lane marks an important event in the history of the cause.  Although the old building was in good condition, a request was made by T. B. Charlton, “Lord of the Manor”, that it be demolished enabling the road to be widened.  He would – at his expense – erect a new chapel for them on “The Green” in Clarke’s Lane, the trustees paying only ten shillings.  Demolition was soon accomplished and for a few months the church met in temporary accommodation.

A procession singing hymns led the way to the new site for the stone-laying on June 2nd 1857.  About a thousand people heard the Rev J. Poxon lead the prayers.  The Rev P. J. Wright led the hymn “This stone to Thee in faith we lay.”  J. E. Sutton gave an account of facts leading to the new church.  The stone was laid by Mr J. Whittaker.

Opening services were held on Sept 13th and 27th 1857.

In 1878 an upper room was built onto the existing building, the chapel upstairs, a schoolroom below.  Enoch Hollingsworth observed that they ‘would build a bit nearer to Heaven’.  And so the cause continued to grow.

Inham Nook

“I declare this stone well and truly laid.”  With these words on September 8th 1962 local preacher Mr. Fred Emmonds began to draw to a close the task of founding a Methodist Church at Inham Nook, a new housing estate begun in the late 1940’s.  A site offered by the council in 1953 was bought the following year.  A service held on the site May 1st 1955 and on May 25th 1963 the church was opened.  Services had been held in private homes since 1954.

Clarke’s Lane 1973

For years members worked for a new church and on July 1st 1972 the foundation stone was laid by Tom Emmonds and on March 17th 1973 the church was opened by J. W. Hollingsworth.

Grateful thanks to Wyn Davies for extracts from “Hands to the Plough”.  To Audrey Darby for patience and kindness whilst teaching me calligraphy.  To the Rev Vernon Bullock, relatives and friends of Clarke’s Lane, for useful data.  S. D. Hollingsworth.

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2014 & 2016:  Beeston Methodist Church became one church from 1st September 2014, bringing together the people, commitment, energies and resources of Chilwell Road, Clarke’s Lane, Inham Nook, Queen’s Road and Wollaton Road Methodist Churches.  The church started worshipping together for all services from Easter Sunday 27th March 2016.

By 2016:  By 2016, the 1857 building at Clarke’s Lane was sold and converted to flats; the 1973 building was sold, demolished and replaced by houses; and the Inham Nook building was sold, demolished and replaced by a care home.

2014-2022:  Inham Nook Methodist Church had a ‘Sharing Agreement’ with St Barnabas Church (Church of England) from 2014 to February 2022, meeting at 3:30 pm on Sundays for Café Church worship at St Barnabas.  Members became Members of Beeston Methodist Church but Inham Nook Methodist Church has separate ministerial oversight and is funded directly by the Nottingham Trent Valley Methodist Circuit.

2022 & Continuing!  Inham Nook Methodist Church Café Church became a Circuit Project from 2022 and meets at 3:30 pm on the first and third Sundays of each month for Café Church worship in the different Circuit churches.  Services and venues are listed in the Calendar.