THE EARLY YEARS
- In 1805 a traveller noted that Bulwell was "A big scattered, neglected and God-forsaken village". His latter comment seems to have been heard in the right quarters because a hundred years later Bulwell boasted no less than fourteen places of worship, nine of which are still thriving.
Between 1801 and 1851 the population of Bulwell almost doubled itself and accelerated even faster in the second half of the 19th century. The traditional industries of the area were stone quarrying and lime kiln workings. The opening of collieries during the 1840's, the coming of the railway in 1848 and the emergence of new industries such as Sankey's pottery in 1855, were the main influences on population growth at this time. A match factory in 1863 further speeded the increase.
In
1882 the county of Nottingham came within the Diocese of Lincoln and the Bishop
of the time, Dr Wordsworth convened a meeting in the city to discuss the urgent
matter of church extension in the area. Present at the meeting was the Rev W H
Cantrell, rector of Bulwell, and he stated that he would contribute £200 towards
the cost of a new church to be built in the Bulwell area known as the kiln
yards.
This offer was a typical gesture by Cantrell who was Rector of Bulwell from 1865 to 1890. He was well known as a kindly, generous man who is reputed to have given away far more than the income from the benefice brought him in. He had earlier co-operated with Mr S.T. Cooper, purchaser of the Manor of Bulwell in 1865, in building the National school which is now known as St Mary's school. Cooper died in 1871 at the early age of 39 but his widow continued his benefactions to the area. Popular for her children's entertainments, treats to the villagers and her treatment of servants, it was to this lady that Cantrell turned for help in 1882.
The widow and her two sons shared the balance of the costs with local colliery owner, Sir Charles Seely (who also donated the first organ and is well known for his work in connection with the General Hospital which spanned over 45 years) and a bleacher, Mr G W Walker. "Gentleman" Walker had been a church warden at St Mary's for eight years and was a prominent local personality. The land for the new church was donated by Mr Samuel Ball, and Mr W Knight who had been the architect of St Andrews church Mansfield Road, was invited to prepare plans.
