RADCLIFFE METHODIST

History of The Methodist Church in Radcliffe


There has been a continuous Methodist presence in Radcliffe on Trent since the late 1780s.

For most of the 19th century regular services were held in the village by both Wesleyan and primitive Methodists. During the second half of the century the Wesleyans, with a large chapel on Main Road (opened in 1839), attracted congregations of 200 - 300.

The Primitive Methodists, although smaller in number, and lacking adequate resources or a purpose built chapel, had great determination and evangelical zeal. In the 1890s they boldly acquired land on Shelford Road, near the village centre, on which to build first a plain but spacious chapel (opened in 1893) and then a School Room (1896).

Both chapels )Main Road and Shelford Road) functioned more or less independently until 1953, when the rapid decline in the size of the Main Road congregation and the high cost of maintaining the building led to its closure and subsequent demolition.

After a period of around 18 years during which the combined Methodist congregation worshipped at Shelford Road, Methodist services were transferred in 1971 to the Parish Church (St. Mary's), and Shelford Road used only for Sunday School and mid-week activities.

However, the expected closer union between the two denominations did not materialise, and in 1976 extensive modernisation and refurbishment of the Shelford Road premises having been put in hand, the Methodist congregation moved back and has remained at Shelford Road ever since.

A booklet was produced in 1993 to celebrate the Centenary of the Shelford Road chapel.

Douglas Harrison.

Before and after modernisation