In the
early 1890s a need was felt among members for a more
desirable building in a better situation, and land was
purchased on the opposite side of Bridge Street.
Mr James
Bakewell promised £300 if the church could raise £700.
This was done, and a loan obtained for £1,000. The work
on the present church, which cost over £2,000 was begun
in 1893 and completed the following year, 1894. The old
church was retained and used as a school hall.
The Rev
Henry Collard ATS became Minister in 1897 – 1901.
Rev William Collins Davies BA succeeded him in 1904 and
during his ministry, £300 was raised at a bazaar towards
the clearing of the debt. Mr Davies moved in 1913 to Crowle, Doncaster. Rev GSC
Eveleigh, a retired
missionary, ministered for brief period in 1914, followed
in 1917 – 1920 by the Rev HF Bran, who moved to
Lenton Sands, Nottingham.
A legacy of
nearly £500, left by Mrs Birkin, enabled the balance of
the loan to be repaid, the church was redecorated and
electric light installed, and Mrs Collins Davies
re-opened the building in 1933. After Mr Bran's
departure, the church was without a minister for a long
period.
The Rev FG
Hastings, BA, Derby, was invited to become the Moderator,
and due to his help and leadership, the Rev FJ Gay of
Halwill, Devon began his ministry at Belper in 1944
– 1949. Prior and during Mr Gay's ministry, various
organisations were formed: Boys Brigade, BWL and the
Campaigners.
Ministries
followed by Rev PG Kirby, 1951 – 1955 and Rev CL
Martin, 1956 – 1959. A manse was built and purchased
by the church in 1955. Miss Weston left a legacy that
paid for the initial deposit on the manse, the balance
being met by friends and members.
The old
school hall became inadequate, and the church under the
ministry of Rev AJ Roberts who came from County Durham in
April 1962 decided to do a structural alteration in the
church by putting a floor over the gallery, thereby
creating a new church hall; a new heating and lighting
system was installed at the same time and the ground
floor sanctuary redecorated. A new kitchen and toilet
facilities were also provided. Financing of some of the
development was by Mr HK Rawson of Rawson's Builders,
Derby.
