About us

For almost 150 years Mount View Methodist Church has been serving the community of Norton Lees in Sheffield.

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We believe that God's love is amazing. Here at Mount View Methodist Church we want to tell others about that love and show His love in action.

We are a loyal and lively community. There is lots going on during the week, from pre-school to youth groups and fitness classes. We love our local community and love to serve you and welcome you into our church.

Mount View's history dates back to the 1870's when a number of Christians met in a room over Cavill's grocer's shop at the corner of Derbyshire Lane and Cavill Road, which was lent free of charge for Sunday School work.

Entrance to this 'Upper Room' as it was then called was through the shop, the room extending over an archway on Cavill Road leading to the backyards and cellar kitchens of the houses in that road and the shops in Derbyshire Lane where the garage now stands.

The archway and shops have now disappeared, being demolished in the 1940 blitz.

In this upper room, the nucleus of the present Church grew and in June 1872 an approach was made for the membership of the Surrey Street Circuit.

The following year subscriptions were sought and a piece of land opposite the meeting place was bought. Work and worship continued on the other side of the road and February 23rd, 1876 saw the Stone-laying of the present Church, the building being opened later that year when Sunday School teachers and scholars walked in procession from the old to the new.

During the remaining years of the 19th century the United Methodist Society at Norton, later called Mount View, had its ups and downs and an appeal was made to the Hanover Circuit, to which it had been transferred, for help to save the Church from shutting its doors.

Help came from the Oak Street Church, partly in the formation of a Wednesday night Men's Bible Class, from which the Church gained new life.

In those days the building had heavy sash windows, a rostrum and a reading desk, and down the sides, instead of pews, reversible metal framed forms. Lighting was by twin gas burners at intervals down each aisle and to enter the preachers' vestry from the outside six steps had to be climbed. The present level of the Church land was created by the dumping of soil taken from Derbyshire Lane when it was widened opposite the cemetry.

Some of the activities which contributed to the vigorous life of the Church in the early years were the Tuesday night Prayer Meeting, Band of Hope, Wednesday night Men's Class and Girls' Bible Class.

In 1923 with the continued growth of the Sunday School, more accomodation was needed and a Million Penny Scheme was launched.

Although at the time almost every man in the men's class was out of work or on short time, the money was raised and the large schoolroom at the back of the Church opened, free of debt, on September 3rd 1927, commemoration mallets being given to all children who had collected for the scheme. The cost of the scheme was £1800.

During this period many of the men on the dole spent their time making forms, a few of which are still in use now.

In spite of poverty and hardship, the Church grew spiritually for the people had a mind to work. There were no wealthy members, but time and talents were given willingly.

The register for the Sunday afternoon Young Men's Bible Class January 1928 shows 62 names ranging from 14 to 19 years of age.

The Sunday School was also in its heyday. An intensive visitation campaign was conducted on the Thorpe House estate then being built, and many children and some adults joined the ranks.

Four hundred and sixty four names were on the Sunday School register with an average attendance of over 200 but its strength lay not so much in its numbers as in the devotion of teachers to their weekly preparation class held on a Saturday night.

The night of December 12/13th 1940 was one which those who lived through it will never forget.

The Mount View area did not escape unscathed. A bomb fell on the row of shops and houses opposite the Church, its first "home" and much damage was caused to both church and schoolroom. As it was not possible to use the buildings, Sunday services were held in the Scout hut on Warminster Road, Sunday School classes in various homes and the Girls Life Brigade met in the preacher's vestry illuminated by a hurricane lamp.

Whit Sunday 1942 saw the return to a patched and battered Church still without light and hear.

The men and women serving in the Forces were not forgotten during the years of war and a committee was formed to send parcels of food and comforts to all who had passed through the Sunday School.

Ladies of the Church knitted socks, social evenings were held to raise money and regular contact was kept with relatives of those serving to make sure that parcels reached their correct destinations. That this remembrance of them was greatly appreciated was evident by the number of letters received, and these were read out during Sunday evening services so that those at home could have news of those away. After the war a reunion was held for those who returned.

In the following years the premises were repaired and improved and in 1952 a new two-manual organ was installed to replace that destroyed in the blitz.

The next big project was the erection of the three additional Sunday School rooms, toilet accommodation and foyer, giving common access to all premises. Stone-laying was in November 1960 and the official opening in March 1961.

From March 1963 to September 1964 a "Church Beautification Scheme" was in operation, £1,284 being raised by efforts of various sections.

Events organised showed variety and ingenuity, among them being a mock wedding, continental evening, jumble sale, car treasure hunt, several concerts and a 3-day Christmas Fayre, while individuals contributed by way of Blessing Boxes and covenanted giving resulting in refund of Income Tax.

Men of the Church have always been eager to give practical service and in 1965 they were responsible for the replacement of the large schoolroom floor.

1969 saw another change on the musical side when a Compton electronic organ costing £850 was installed within the framework of the pipe organ.

The land beside the Church buildings and behind the boardings had always been something of a problem and in 1973 it was decided to put it to good use by turning it into a car park which has proved a great boon to members and visitors alike.

But the passing years had been taking a toll of the premises and latent war damage made the re-tiling of the large schoolroom roof and re-building of the gable end wall an immediate necessity.

it was decided to make this the first object of the Centenary Appeal Fund and it is a source of great thankfulness that the work was able to be put in hand and completed in 1975.

Throughout the hundred and fifty years of its history, Mount View has stood for strong Christian witness in the district in many and various ways.

While the fire and vigour of earlier years may have changed, Sunday services continue to be a source of inspiration and through the various organisations, particularly the popular Girls' Brigade, a Christian impact is maintained in the neighbourhood.

A changing population and the pace of modern life all detract from big congregations of former years, but it is a source of satisfaction and gratitude to know that the influence of years spent in the Mount View fellowship is continuing to play its part not only in the area of its inceptions but also in many areas up and down the land.

And what more shall we say? For space forbids us to tell of those who through the years have fought the good fight of faith and bore their witness to the saving power of the Gospel. Many have left us but their influence lives on and those of the present generation are conscious of the great cloud of witnesses into whose heritage they have entered.