Ashfield District Council: Sutton United Reformed Church

Sutton United Reformed Church

The United Reformed Church (formerly the Congregational Church) in Sutton-in-Ashfield is the oldest free church in Nottinghamshire, and one of the dozen oldest in the country.

It was founded in 1651, and had pastoral oversight of independent Christians in Nottingham and Newark, before Independent Churches were built there a few years later.

The present church is the third church building. The foundation stone was laid by Mr James B. Alliott, of Nottingham, in May 1905. At the laying ceremony, a wooden mallet (made of oak taken from the previous church) and trowell were presented to Mr Alliott. On April 4th 1906 the building was opened by Mrs Alliott, of The Park, Nottingham, when she was presented with a solid silver key. The architects of the building were G. Baines & Son of London, and the bulilders were J. Greenwood's of Mansfield. The total cost of the new building was £5,638, and this was off-set by £2,000 received from Sutton Urban District Council from the purchase of the previous church building on Kings Street (acquired when the Market Place was extended).

The pews are one of two or three others in the country, where they are curved, and arranged in semi-circles, which gives a naturally welcoming atmosphere. Mainly because of the unusual nature of the pews, it is a Grade II Listed Building select this link for full architectural description

The Church Hall is used as a day centre for the elderly during the week.