Friary United Reformed Church, West Bridgford Explained

Friary United Reformed Church
Coordinates:52.9343°N -1.1338°W
Location:West Bridgford, Nottingham
Country:England
Denomination:United Reformed
Architect:Arthur Brewill and Basil Baily
Groundbreaking:1898
Completed Date:1901
Length:60feet
Width:40feet
Height:26feet

Friary United Reformed church was a church on Musters Road in West Bridgford, Nottingham, built between 1898 and 1901. It was a Grade II listed building. It closed in June 2022.

History

The congregation came from Friar Lane Chapel which was founded in 1827. In 1897 the congregation moved to West Bridgford. They were joined by members from other Nottingham Congregational churches including Castle Gate Congregational Centre and Park Hill Congregational Church.

The new church was officially opened in September 1901. The first baptism took place soon after with Doris Edith Whitemore 1901 - 1995 being the first female and only the second person to be baptized at the Church. She later became a member of the Church Choir.

Queen's Walk Congregational Church amalgamated in 1970 and in 1972, Friary Church joined the United Reformed Church.

Organ

The church had a pipe organ by Charles Lloyd and Co dating from 1885. A specification of this organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register. In the mid 1990s, this organ was transferred to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka, Zambia.[1]

Notes and References

  1. British Institute of Organ Studies. Reporter, Vol. 20, No. 3 (July 1996), p.19