This illustration from the centenary history of the Methodist New Connexion, shows their ministerial training college, which opened in Sheffield in 1864. It was designed by William Hill (1828-1889) who was also the architect of many northern Nonconformist chapels.
The college accommodated 16 students, who normally followed a two-year course.
Following the Union of 1907 ministers for the United Methodist Church trained here and at Victoria Park College.
Ranmoor was sold to Sheffield City Council in 1919, and the building was demolished in the 1960s.
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Ministerial training in the MNC was carried out piecemeal by ministers in their own manses. Relatively small numbers of trainess did not justify a college, nor were funds forthcoming. Even so, in 1857 the MNC Conference resolved to establish a theological institution in or near Manchester as soon as finances would permit. Then Thomas Firth, whose family had made their fortune in the steelworks of Sheffield’s booming east end, died in 1860 leaving a legacy of £4500 to the New Connexion with strings attached: the money was a contribution to the building of a college on condition that it was in the neighbourhood of his home town and would be built within four years of his death. The MNC responded with a building fund campaign that raised another £6000, and Ranmoor College was opend in 1864. There were 16 students with Rev Dr James Stacey as ‘Governor”.
In the 1970s flats known as Ranmoor View were erected on the site.
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