Wollaton Road Methodist Church

In 1939, the church leadership became concerned as to the apparent disinterest by the Long Eaton Circuit and the growing need to improve the spiritual life and pastoral care of the church, and as a result, Mr.A.W. Pounder (Trustee) and Mr.Berresford (Long Eaton Circuit Steward) extended a personal invitation to Rev. Tom Jones (independent evangelical minister) to serve the church in the position of pastor.

He was to be given a free hand to arrange what meetings and invite which speakers he felt would be of benefit to his ministry with us.

Tom Jones commenced his ministry at Wollaton Road in 1940 – initially for a period of two years, but later extended by a year to expire in August of 1943.

During his time at Wollaton Road, he did a great work in building up the spiritual life of the Society in a number of ways:-

He preached at most Sunday morning and evening services
He arranged Easter Conventions and other special evangelical events inviting prominent speakers.
He held regular Tuesday morning prayer meetings – remembering especially all those from Beeston who were serving in the armed forces.
He displayed an exceptionally high degree of pastoral care.

His Ford Popular car emblazoned with the words “By the mercies of God” was a common sight around the streets of Beeston.

He commenced and edited a monthly newsletter entitled "The Beacon".
He encouraged the musical life of the church – being an accomplished and prolific writer of Gospel songs and church music generally.
These are just a few of the qualities which older members will associate with him.

Our New Pipe Organ.

In 1943 he and his wife celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. On that occasion, he requested that money in lieu of gifts, should be donated towards the cost of a new organ. That organ remained at Wollaton Road until our major Modernisation project in 1970.

The keyboard and pedal board were then transferred to our replacement electronic organ, and a number of the speaking pipes were donated to Queens Road Methodist Church during their organ overhaul.

Our replacement electronic organ finally ceased to perform adequately during 2001 when a new Prestige IV two - manual organ was bought.
For more information on our organ, see Worship > Evening Worship

The Parting of Ways - A Further Vision.

However, in 1943, Rev. Jones felt that consequent upon developments in Methodism and the restructuring of the Methodist Circuits (transfer of Wollaton Road to Nottingham West Circuit) his independent position was becoming untenable, and therefore felt he should move on.
He increasingly felt that he could “no longer accept "Methodisation" with all its Modernistic Preaching and Teaching. He wished to be able to pursue his vision of the establishment of a Bible College, Homes of Rest for Missionaries etc, and accordingly resigned from his special work at Wollaton Road and along with some of his supporters, established what is today the Evangelical Free Church in Broadgate.

In the meantime, Rev. Tom Jones will always deserve a special place in the history of Wollaton Road Methodist Church.