For this church: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Bestwood Village St MarkFeatures and Fittings
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THE SPIRIT OF GOD: HATH MADE ME: AND THE BREATH: OF GOD ALMIGHTY: HATH GIVEN ME LIFE |
The font was presented for the opening of the church by the manager of Bestwood Colliery, Mr M Wolstenholme.
The pulpit is of oak and is accessed from the chancel. It is an integral part of the chancel which is raised up three steps and projects out into the nave. On the two sides facing the congregation is the following text:
HE THAT HATH MY WORD LET: HIM SPEAK MY WORD FAITHFULLY |
The pulpit was presented for the opening by Mr John Lancaster who was the Chairman of the Bestwood Coal and Iron Company.
![]() Miner’s Prayer beside |
The lectern is also of oak and as with the pulpit is also accessed from the chancel. On the front is the following text:
BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD |
The lectern was presented for the opening by the Ironworks manager, Mr Andrew Crawford.
To the right of the lectern, hanging beneath a wooden canopy is a miners lamp and beneath it on a board the miner’s prayer:
O God Our Heavenly Father we beseech Thee to hear us on behalf of all the miners of this land, and especially in this our own parish; that it may please Thee to comfort, sustain, protect and support them Bring them, O God, to their homes once more in peace and safety; through Jesus Christ, our Lord Amen. |
Two brass vases with the following inscriptions:
In memory of BERTRAM A HILL M.A. RECTOR OF BESTWOOD 1932-1937 |
Twenty pounds was collected some years ago for a memorial to the late Reverend B A Hill. After considerable discussion it was decided to purchase four brass vases, two for the parish church and two for St Mark’s, and to have these suitably inscribed as above. In June 1949 the vases were purchased from Messrs F Osbourne & Co Ltd. The total cost of the vases and the inscribing was £24 6s 8d and a grant from the Scout fund had been received to make up the deficit.
This reading stand is made of oak by a Bulwell man as a memorial. An inscription reads
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ANNIE ROBINSON 1900-1983 |
On the upright just above the base is a wooden mouse head facing downwards. This reading stand was provided by still very active members of the family, June and Nell Robinson. The stand was made by company called Ronaldo’s Wood Carvers of Bulwell, with showrooms at 10a Strelley Street Bulwell.
The text below the brass cross reads:
PRESENTED TO BESTWOOD PARK PARISH 1957 |
In front of the Miners’ prayer is a table with the following inscription:
PRESENTED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE BESTWOOD BRANCH OF THE MOTHERS UNION NOV 1931 |
A flower stand has the following inscription:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MR AND MRS L. STAPLETON AND LAURENCE IN HEAVENLY LOVE ABIDING |
Close by the organ an inscription reads:
IN MEMORY OF ALBERT SNOOK CHURCH COUNCILLOR AND ORGANIST |
A cupboard at the entrance to the church has an inscription which reads:
PRESENTED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE BESTWOOD BRANCH OF THE MOTHERS UNION 1935 |
There are three bibles of note:
The first embossed on the front cover:
BESTWOOD CHURCH 1870, PRESENTED BY THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE 1847 |
The second, inscribed on a panel inside the front cover:
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE MEMORY OF THE REVD. B.A. HILL M.A. RECTOR OF THIS PARISH APRIL 1932- NOVEMBER 1937 |
This bible was presented by The Bestwood Mothers union.
The third bible has on a panel inside the front cover:
PARISH OF BESTWOOD PARK. TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF ARCHIBALD STEWART HAWTHORNE M.A. CANTAB. PRINCIPLE CHAPLAIN TO THE DUKE OF ST. ALBAN’S AND RECTOR OF THIS PARISH 1885-1911, WHO DIED FEBRUARY 27TH 1940 AGED 85 YEARS |
The Bible was presented by his sister Edith Mary Linley June 1st 1940.
![]() with chancel and sanctuary |
Three steps take you into the chancel which projects forward into the nave, at the top of the steps you pass through an oak arch surmounted by a cross, the pulpit and lectern both of oak are both accessed from this raised chancel. All furnishing are linked together with a low oak panelled partition with an ironwork top, linking in with the banister up the steps.
Lettering on the sanctuary arch reads:
IN THIS PLACE WILL I GIVE PEACE |
The sanctuary floor has decorated tiles with an inscription:
PERFECT CHARITY WITH ALL MEN |
Incorporated into the upper hinge on the south facing outer door is the date 1887, on the upper hinge on the north facing outer door is AD.