History
Yoinked from Prof Shadow
Built in 1902-3 by Northampton architect Thomas Dyer, the Hope Methodist Church is a striking landmark on Higham Ferrers' High Street. Marked out in East Northamptonshire Council's own Conservation Area Appraisal as a building of merit, the church, which is notable for its exuberantly Gothic west end, has a powerful presence in its historically significant surroundings. Yet the historic and architectural importance of Hope Methodist Church has not been enough to dissuade its owners from drawing up plans to demolish the building and erect a new church and community centre on the site. This, despite government planning policy guidance that the demolition of conservation area buildings should only be considered after all reasonable efforts have been made to keep the building in use, as well as the Council's draft Management Plan recommending that the building be locally listed.
It was opened officially in 1905 costing £5,200 to build. The Rev. Charles H. Kelly conducted the Opening Dedication Service and in the afternoon the Rev. H. Howard May conducted a Young People’s Service. The first boy to be Christened in the new Church was H.E Bates.
In 1922 The Pipe organs were installed and unlocked.
In 1960 the boilers were converted from coke to oil burning for a price of £374.
In 1986 The 81 year old wooden spire was removed from the top of the tower because it was leaning and the timbers were rotting. On top of the 24ft spire had been a 6ft weathervane.
The Rev. Alan Taplin preached 50 sponsored sermons from 9.00am to 1.40pm and raised £1,320 towards the cost of the new extension.
In 1988 Lightning struck the Church Hall causing the chimney to crash through the roof of the Guild Room.
In 1989 Church and Hall rewired and decorated. New lighting was installed. Raunds joined the Higham Ferrers Circuit.
In 1991 Asbestos cladding was removed from the boilers at a cost of £1,495 and the kitchen was refurbished.
In 1992 A major leak in the hot water heating system to the Church cost £4,800 to repair.
In 1996 The Youth Club was restarted. A new amplifier and loop system was installed in the Church at a cost of £2,406.
In 2003 The Rushden and Higham Ferrers Circuit amalgamated with Wellingborough and became the Nene Valley Circuit. Superintendent Minister: the Rev. Gordon Chisnall. The Administration Office for the new Circuit was located at Park Road.
In 2004 Rushden and Higham Ferrers Churches joined together to form one Church. Unfortunatley this meant closure for New Hope Methodist Church.
The Explore
Explored with Lone Shadow. Entrance was surprisingly discreet and easy (for me anyway) a bit of tunneling and deep excavation was required for LS but nothing too hairy.
The building is split into two with the main church at the front and a sports/creche/hall at the back. The building is slowly falling apart at the back but the church itself is relatively intact and the stain glass windows are still there in 90% of it and not bricked out or boarded up so there was still plenty to see among the rot.
The building now is home to 70% of Highams Feral Pigeon population and the things swoop around on mass above your head like bats. Explorers will want to don face and head protection if taking up the challenge
1. Exterior Front
2. Exterior Side
3. Rear Hall
4. Kitchen
5. Kitchen
6. Hall Windows
7. The Gun Cabinet
8. A Side Office
9. Explosive Diarrhea?
10. Piano
11. Piano
12. Piano
13. The Organ
14. The Organ
15. Some Interior Decoration
16. What's Left
17. Secret Garden
18. The Church
19. The Stage
20. The Gallery from Below
21. Some old Hymn Books
22. The Gallery Left
23. And Right
24. View from the Gallery
25. Entrance
26. Entrance
27. Main Doors
Yoinked from Prof Shadow
Built in 1902-3 by Northampton architect Thomas Dyer, the Hope Methodist Church is a striking landmark on Higham Ferrers' High Street. Marked out in East Northamptonshire Council's own Conservation Area Appraisal as a building of merit, the church, which is notable for its exuberantly Gothic west end, has a powerful presence in its historically significant surroundings. Yet the historic and architectural importance of Hope Methodist Church has not been enough to dissuade its owners from drawing up plans to demolish the building and erect a new church and community centre on the site. This, despite government planning policy guidance that the demolition of conservation area buildings should only be considered after all reasonable efforts have been made to keep the building in use, as well as the Council's draft Management Plan recommending that the building be locally listed.
It was opened officially in 1905 costing £5,200 to build. The Rev. Charles H. Kelly conducted the Opening Dedication Service and in the afternoon the Rev. H. Howard May conducted a Young People’s Service. The first boy to be Christened in the new Church was H.E Bates.
In 1922 The Pipe organs were installed and unlocked.
In 1960 the boilers were converted from coke to oil burning for a price of £374.
In 1986 The 81 year old wooden spire was removed from the top of the tower because it was leaning and the timbers were rotting. On top of the 24ft spire had been a 6ft weathervane.
The Rev. Alan Taplin preached 50 sponsored sermons from 9.00am to 1.40pm and raised £1,320 towards the cost of the new extension.
In 1988 Lightning struck the Church Hall causing the chimney to crash through the roof of the Guild Room.
In 1989 Church and Hall rewired and decorated. New lighting was installed. Raunds joined the Higham Ferrers Circuit.
In 1991 Asbestos cladding was removed from the boilers at a cost of £1,495 and the kitchen was refurbished.
In 1992 A major leak in the hot water heating system to the Church cost £4,800 to repair.
In 1996 The Youth Club was restarted. A new amplifier and loop system was installed in the Church at a cost of £2,406.
In 2003 The Rushden and Higham Ferrers Circuit amalgamated with Wellingborough and became the Nene Valley Circuit. Superintendent Minister: the Rev. Gordon Chisnall. The Administration Office for the new Circuit was located at Park Road.
In 2004 Rushden and Higham Ferrers Churches joined together to form one Church. Unfortunatley this meant closure for New Hope Methodist Church.
The Explore
Explored with Lone Shadow. Entrance was surprisingly discreet and easy (for me anyway) a bit of tunneling and deep excavation was required for LS but nothing too hairy.
The building is split into two with the main church at the front and a sports/creche/hall at the back. The building is slowly falling apart at the back but the church itself is relatively intact and the stain glass windows are still there in 90% of it and not bricked out or boarded up so there was still plenty to see among the rot.
The building now is home to 70% of Highams Feral Pigeon population and the things swoop around on mass above your head like bats. Explorers will want to don face and head protection if taking up the challenge
1. Exterior Front
2. Exterior Side
3. Rear Hall
4. Kitchen
5. Kitchen
6. Hall Windows
7. The Gun Cabinet
8. A Side Office
9. Explosive Diarrhea?
10. Piano
11. Piano
12. Piano
13. The Organ
14. The Organ
15. Some Interior Decoration
16. What's Left
17. Secret Garden
18. The Church
19. The Stage
20. The Gallery from Below
21. Some old Hymn Books
22. The Gallery Left
23. And Right
24. View from the Gallery
25. Entrance
26. Entrance
27. Main Doors
Lets just say the taller and stockier explorer will be fine upon entry now after a bombastic one from me 
