Rev. Levi Nuttall

The Rev Levi Nuttall

The call was given to Levi Nuttall, a student of Mr.T.Dawson, minister of Byrom Hall Liverpool, and his ministry commenced [at Ogden, Halifax, UK] on Sunday October 28th 1859. It was his first pastorate, and his ordination to the Christian ministry took place on Good Friday 1860 in the presence of a large gathering of Baptist ministers and laymen.

In retrospect, it can be seen that this ministry was the beginning of the most eventful and successful period in the life of Ogden Church, which continued almost to the end of Mr.Scragg's ministry in 1955. During this time, the church had only four ministers who, between them, maintained nearly 100 years of Christian ministry, mostly in the Calvanistic tradition.

It is evident that Mr.Nuttall's ministry was marred by recurring ill-health the whole time he was at Ogden. In the church's invitation to him it was suggested that "the neighbourhood would tend greatly to the establishment of Mr.Nuttall's health". In spite of his indisposition he conducted a vigorous ministry, to the extent that it became necessary to build a new chapel.

On Good Friday 1861 the cornerstone of the new building was laid by Henry Kelsall, who still maintained a lively connection with Ogden and gave liberally towards it. It was opened on April 18th 1862, when the preacher was Rt.Hon.Lord Teynam. The cost was £1000 of which £300 was outstanding at the opening, and this amount was rapidly reduced by the efforts of the ladies' sewing classes, conducted by the ministers wife. Rock Villa, Newhey, which was the church manse until 1969 was built during Mr.Nuttal's tenure. Unfortunately, the church records relating to the rest of Mr.Nuttall's ministry end abruptly, shortly before the opening of the new chapel. however, it is known that he stayed for 13 years, when ill-health led to his resignation from Ogden. Following visits to America and South Africa seeking restoration of health, he conducted a very successful ministry at Houghton Street, Southport. his health again broke down and eventually he made his home in Cape Town where he died in 1905.

Extract (pg 29) The Story of 100 Years 1820 - 1920, being the history of the Baptist Church in South Africa by H J Batts

The Rev. Levi Nuttall was Rev G W Cross' successor in Grahamstown in 1879. It is very singular, but there was another Nuttall, a prominent Wesleyan minister, in the country, who was twice President of the Conference—though of no relation, and he was named Ezra. These men, rejoicing in the Bible names of Levi and Ezra, became well known throughout South Africa as faithful ministers of Jesus Christ. The Rev. Levi had previously visited South Africa on a health trip, on the advice of his friend and fellow student, the Rev. R. H. Brotherton, and was therefore known in the Grahamstown Church. He was minister of a large Church in Southport, England, where his labours had been greatly blessed. He responded to the call, and came out in September 1880. The records of those days refer in the warmest terms to Mr. Nuttall’s high character, urbanity of manner, and preaching ability. His pastorate in Grahamstown was marked with many tokens of Divine approval, and the fine Lecture Hall was erected under his direction. He entered very heartily into the extension work of the Union, of which he was appointed President in 1882. In 1886 he resigned, and accepted the pastorate of the Cape Town Church, where the same success attended his ministry. In the year 1893 he retired from the regular ministry, and did excellent work as agent for the Bible Society till 1905, when he fell on sleep at Kenilworth, near Cape Town, aged 70 years, leaving behind him an honourable record and fragrant name. His beloved widow, daughter of the Rev. Joseph Harvey, a Baptist minister, is with us still, and follows the doings of our Union with great interest, though past 80 years of age.

"After visiting South Africa in 1874 , for health reasons, the Rev Levi Nuttall of Southport, England wrote to The Baptist, making a plea for South Africa: "It is quite time our denomination should attempt to do its fair share of Christian work in that part of the world where so many of our people have taken up their abode. Very little, if anything, has been done for South Africa by the Baptist denomination at home, either for the natives or the many thousands of English Colonists there. Not a single missionary is sent out by our Society to that immense field" quoted from The Baptist - March 10, 1876.

"The earliest record of a business meeting at Taylor Street Baptist Church (King William's Town - South Africa) is dated the 19th March 1881 - even the time is given - 10 a.m. Two days later, the Baptist Union Church , King William's Town was constituted, the meeting being held in the German Baptist Church, Arthur Street. The Chairman was the Rev H Gutsche, who was then President of the Baptist Union of South Africa. Besides Mr Wynne (the first pastor), two other Baptist Ministers, the Rev H J Batts and the Rev L Nuttall were present."

Cape Town Baptist: "Mr Hamilton returned to London in 1885, where he exercised a successful ministry in Battersea. Then began the unique ministry of the Rev Levi Nuttall - one of reconciliation and consolidation. Within a short while, fifty new members were added to the church. Mr Nuttall resigned from the pastorate in 1893 to become the agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society in this land." By Taking Heed....The History of Baptists in Southern Africa - 1820 - 1977.