St Mary's School

Stoney Street Baptist Chapel stands on Plumptre Place Road in Nottingham, a Grade II listed building that once served as a Baptist church. The chapel traces its origins to 1775, when a congregation formed from the Nottingham General Baptists. They first met in the Methodist Tabernacle before building a new chapel in 1799. The chapel witnessed several schisms in the 19th century, including one in 1817 that led to the founding of Broad Street Baptist Church. Another split in 1849 resulted in Mansfield Road Baptist Church, while a third in 1875 led to Woodborough Road Baptist Church. The chapel closed in 1887 and was later converted into St Mary’s School by architect Thomas Chambers Hine. The building’s history reflects the social and religious changes in Nottingham during the 19th century. The 1817 schism began over accusations against a young minister named Catton, which divided the congregation and led to a physical confrontation. A later dispute in 1849 centred on the suspension of a deacon accused of using unequal weights. By the 1870s, the chapel’s congregation had dwindled as the area became more commercial and industrial. The closure in 1887 marked the end of its use as a Baptist chapel. Today, the former chapel houses St Mary’s School, where its historic architecture blends with modern adaptations. The building retains elements of its original design despite a fire in 1993 that required further conversion. The interior spaces reflect its dual role as both a place of worship and education. Visitors can still see traces of the chapel’s past, including its grand façade and arched windows. The surrounding area, once a hub of religious activity, now forms part of Nottingham’s urban landscape. The building stands as a reminder of the city’s evolving religious and social history.