A History of the Church
Bestwood Park Methodist Church
The Church was built and established at the same time as the building of the Estate. A day of witness was held on September 21st 1963 on the Elmbridge site and the first meetings and services were held in the William Olds' Boys Club. The church building was opened formally in August 1966, built with a grant from the Rank Organisation Benevolent Trust. The organ (now removed) was a later gift from Oxton Methodist Church. The architects were Messrs. Bartlett & Grey of West Bridgford and the original plan was for the current church to be the hall with a further building to be erected on the grass to the front which would have been the church. This plan was shelved before the existing building was completed and the plans were adapted to include a sanctuary area in the area designated for the hall.
St. Luke's Church (Cherry Orchard Mount)
This Mission Hall was built in 1966 and was opened on St. Luke's Day (October 18th) that year by the Bishop of Sherwood, the Rt. Rev. K. Thomson. The first ministers were from the Church Army. The church was originally a church plant from St. Matthew's Bestwood, although it was soon linked with Emmanuel Church in the Parish of Bestwood Park. Following the amalgamation of the churches, St. Luke's was pulled down and the vicarage was built on the site.
Ministers
| Date | Minister | Denomination |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 - 2011 |
Rev. Richard Tanner | Methodist |
| 2010 - Present | Rev. Canon Dr. Nigel Rooms | Anglican |
| 2000 - 2009 | Rev. Barbara Neill | Anglican |
| 2005 - 2007 | Rev. Dr. Andrew Ison | Anglican |
| 2000 - 2004 | Rev. Peter Reiss | Anglican |
| 1998 - 2004 | Rev. Colin Mark | Methodist |
| 1993 - 2000 | Rev. Sylvia Griffiths | Anglican |
| 1995 - 1998 | Rev. Keith Hitchman | Anglican (Curate) |