Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham Part 36

_St. Anne's_, Duddeston, consecrated Oct. 22, 1869, is a brick building, giving accommodation for 810, half the seats being free. The Bishop presents the living, being of the nett value of 260. Rev. T.J. Haworth is the Vicar. Services also at the Mission Room, Great Francis Street.

_St. Anne's_, Park Hill, Moseley.--This Chapel-of-Ease to Moseley was built at the expense of Miss Anderton, of Moseley Wake Green, the consecration taking place Sept. 22, 1874. The living is valued at 150, and is in the gift of the Vicar of Moseley, the present inc.u.mbent being the Rev. J. Leverett, M.A. Half the 400 seats are free.

_St. Asaph's_, Great Colmore Street,--the freehold of the site was given by Mr. Cregoe Colmore, and the erection of the church, which yet wants the tower and spire, cost 5,450. The cornerstone was laid Aug. 22, 1867, and the building was consecrated Dec. 8, 1868. There are 950 sittings, of which 500 are free. Trustees present. The living, value 300, being now held by the Rev. R. Fletcher, M.A.

_St. Augustine's_, Hagley Road, the foundation stone of which was laid Oct. 14, 1867, was consecrated September 12, 1868, the first cost being a little over 9,000, but a tower and spire (185 ft. high) was added in 1876 at a further cost of 4,000. It is a Chapel-of-ease to Edgbaston, in the gift of the Bishop. Value 500. Held by Rev. J.C. Blissard, M.A.

Seats, 650.

_St. Barnabas_, Erdington.--This church, originally built in 1823, at a cost of about 6,000, with accommodation for 700 only, has lately been enlarged so as to provide 1,100 sittings (600 free)--2,700 being expended on the improvements. The Vicar of Aston is patron, and the living is valued at 300. The re-opening took place June 11, 1883. Rev.

H.H. Rose, M.A., has been Vicar since 1850.

_St. Barnabas'_, Ryland Street.--First stone laid Aug. 1, 1859; consecrated Oct. 24, 1860; renovated in 1882. Has sittings for 1,050, of which 650 are free. Value 300, in the gift of trustees. Present Vicar, Rev. P. Waller. Services also at Mission Room, Sheepcote Street.

_St. Bartholomew's_.--The building of this church was commenced in 1749, the site being given by William Jennens, Esq., and 1,000 towards the building by his mother, Mrs. Anne Jennens. Lord Fielding also gave 120 to pay for an altar-piece, which is greatly admired. Surrounded for very many years by a barren-looking graveyard, the huge brick-built edifice was very unsightly, and being close to the Park Street burial ground it was nicknamed "the paupers' church." Since the laying out of the grounds, however, it has much improved in appearance. The Rector of St.

Martin's presents, and the living is valued at 280. There are 1,800 sittings, 1,000 being free. Week-night services are also held in Mission Room, Fox Street.

_St. Catherine's_, Nech.e.l.ls.--Foundation stone laid July 27, 1877; consecrated November 8, 1878; cost nearly 7,000; seats 750, more than half being free. Yearly value 230; in the gift of trustees. Present vicar, Rev. T.H. Nock, M.A.

_St. Catherine's_ Rotton Park.--The Mission Room in Coplow St., in connection with St. John's, Ladywood, is the precursor of this church yet to be built.

_St. Clement's_, Nech.e.l.ls.--First stone laid, October 27, 1857; consecrated August 30, 1859. Seats 850 (475 free). Vicarage, value 300, in the gift of Vicar of St. Matthew's. Present inc.u.mbent, Rev. J.T.

Butlin, B.A. Services also at Mission Room, High Park Street.

_St. Cuthbert's_, Birmingham Heath, was commenced April 19, 1871; opened March 19, 1872, and has seats for 800, half being free. Yearly value 250; in the hands of trustees. Present inc.u.mbent, Rev. W. H. Tarleton, M.A.

_St. Cyprian's_, Hay Mill.--The foundation-stone of this church (built and endowed by J. Horsfall, Esq.), was laid April 14, 1873, and the opening services were held in the following January. The ceremony of consecration did not take place until April 23, 1878, when a district was a.s.signed to the church. Rev. G.H. Simms is the present Vicar, and the living (value 150) is in the gift of the Bishop.

_St. David's_, Bissell Street--First stone was laid July 6, 1864, and the building was consecrated in the same month of the following year.

The cost of erection was 6,200, and there is accommodation for 955, 785 seats being free. The living (value 300) is in the gift of trustees, and is at present held by Rev. H. Boydon, B.A. Week night services also at Mission Room, Macdonald Street.

_St. Edburgh's_,--The parish church of Yardley, dating from Henry VII.'s reign, contains monuments relating to several of our ancient families of local note. The living is a vicarage (value 525) in the gift of the Rev. J. Dodd, the present vicar being the Rev. F.S. Dodd, M.A. There is accommodation for 600, a third of the seats being free.

_St. Gabriel's_, Pickford Street.--The first stone was laid in September, 1867, and the consecration took place Jan. 5, 1869. The sittings number 600, most being free. The living (value 300) is in the gift of the Bishop, and is held by the Rev. J.T. Tanse, vicar. A mission room at the west end of the church was opened Dec. 14, 1878. It is 105ft. long by 25ft. wide, and will seat 800. The cost was about 3,500, and it is said the Vicar and his friends saved 2,500 by building the rooms themselves.

_St. George's_.--When first built, there were so few houses near Great Hampton Row and Tower Street, that this church was known as "St.

George's in the Fields," and the site for church and churchyard (3,965 square yards) was purchased for 200. The foundation stone was laid April 19, 1820, and the consecration took place July 30, 1822. The tower is 114ft. high, and the first cost of the building was 12,735.

Renovated in 1870, the church has latterly been enlarged, the first stone of a new chancel being placed in position (June, 1882) by the Bishop of Ballarat, formerly rector of the parish. This and other additions has added 2,350 to the original cost of the church, which provides accommodation for 2,150, all but 700 being free seats. The living (value 500) is in the gift of trustees, and the present Rector is the Rev. J.G. Dixon, M.A. The church was re-opened March 13, 1883, and services are also conducted in New Summer Street and in Smith Street Schoolrooms.

_St. George's_, Edgbaston.--First stone laid Aug. 17, 1836; consecrated Nov. 28, 1838. Cost 6,000. Perpetual curacy (value 300), in the gift of Lord Calthorpe. 1,000 sittings, of which one-third are free, but it is proposed to considerably enlarge the building, and possibly as much as 8,000 will be spent thereon, with proportionate accommodation.

_St. James's_, Ashted.--Originally the residence of Dr. Ash, this building was remodelled and opened as a place of worship, Oct. 9, 1791.

As Ashted Chapel it was sold by auction, May 3, 1796. Afterwards, being dedicated to St. James, it was consecrated, the ceremony taking place Aug. 7, 1807. The living (value 300) is in the gift of trustees, the present vicar being the Rev. H.C. Phelps, M.A. Of the 1,350 sittings, 450 are free, there being also a mission room in Vauxhall Road.

_St. James's_, Aston.--The mission room, in Tower Road, in connection with Aston Church, is known as St. James's Church Room, it being intended to erect a church on an adjoining site.

_St. James's_, Edgbaston, which cost about 6,000, was consecrated June 1, 1852, and has 900 sittings, one-fourth being free. Perpetual curacy (value 230) in the gift of Lord Calthorpe. The 25th anniversary of the inc.u.mbency of the Rev. P. Browne, M.A., was celebrated June 7, 1877, by the inauguration of a new organ, subscribed for by the congregation.

_St. James's_, Handsworth, was built in 1849, and has 800 sittings, of which one half are free. The living (value 300) is in the gift of the Rector of Handsworth, and the present vicar is the Rev. H.L. Randall, B.A.

_St. John's_, Deritend.--The "Chapel of St. John's," was commenced in 1375; it was licensed in 1381 by the monks of Tickford Priory, who appointed the Vicars of Aston, in which parish Deritend then was; it was repaired in 1677, and rebuilt in 1735. The tower was added in 1762, and clock and bells put in in 1776. This is believed to have been the first church in which the teachings of Wycliffe and the Reformers were allowed, the grant given to the inhabitants leaving in their hands the sole choice of the minister. This rite was last exercised June 15, 1870, when the present chaplain, the Rev. W.C. Badger, was elected by 3,800 votes, against 2,299 given for a rival candidate. There is accommodation for 850, of which 250 seats are free. It is related that when the present edifice was erected (1735) a part of the small burial ground was taken into the site, and that pew-rents are only charged for the sittings covering the ground so occupied. The living is valued at 400.

For a most interesting account of this church reference should be made to "Memorials of Old Birmingham" by the late Mr. Toulmin Smith. Services also take place at the School Room, and at the Mission Room, Darwin Street.

_St. John's_, Ladywood, built at a cost of 6,000, the site being given by the Governors of the Free Grammar School, and the stone for building by Lord Calthorpe, was consecrated March 15, 1854. In 1881, a further sum of 2,350 was expended in the erection of a new chancel and other additions. The Rector of St. Martin's is the patron of the living (valued at 330), and the present Vicar is the Rev. J.L. Porter, M.A.

The sittings number 1,250, of which 550 are free. Services are also conducted at the Mission Room, Coplow Street, and on Sunday evenings in Osler Street Board School.

_St. John's_, Perry Barr, was built, endowed, and a fund left for future repairs, by "Squire Gough," of Perry Hall, the cost being about 10,000.

The consecration took place Aug. 6, 1833, and was a day of great rejoicing in the neighbourhood. In 1868 the church was supplied with a peal of eight bells in memory of the late Lord Calthorpe. The living (valued at 500) is in the gift of the Hon. A.C.G. Calthorpe.

_St. John the Baptist_, East Harborne, which cost rather more than 4,000, was consecrated November 12, 1858. It has sittings for 900, of which number one half are free. Living valued at 115; patron Rev. T.

Smith, M.A.; vicar, Rev. P. Smith, B.A.

_St. John the Evangelist_, Stratford Road.--A temporary iron church which was opened April 2, 1878, at a cost of 680. A Mission Room, in Warwick Road, Greet, is in connection with above.

_St. Jude's_, Tonk Street, which was consecrated July 26, 1851, has 1,300 sittings, of which 1,000 are free. In the summer of 1879, the building underwent a much-needed course of renovation, and has been still further improved by the destruction of the many "rookeries"

formerly surrounding it. The patronage is vested in the Crown and Bishop alternately, but the living is one of the poorest in the town, only 150.

_St. Lawrence's_, Dartmouth Street.--First stone laid June 18, 1867; consecrated June 25, 1868; has sittings for 745, 400 being free. The Bishop is the patron, and the living (value 320) is now held by the Rev. J.F.M. Whish, B.A.

_St. Luke's_, Bristol Road.--The foundation stone of this old Norman-looking church was laid July 29, 1841, but it might have been in 1481 to judge by its present appearance, the unfortunate choice of the stone used in the building giving quite an ancient look. It cost 3,700, and was consecrated Sept. 28, 1842. There are 300 free seats out of 800.

The trustees are patrons, and the living (value 430) is held by the Rev. W.B. Wilkinson, M.A., vicar.

_St. Margaret's_, Ledsam Street.--The cost of this church was about 5,000; the first stone was laid May 16, 1874; the consecration took place Oct. 2, 1875, and it finds seating for 800, all free. The Bishop is the patron of the living (a perpetual curacy value 300), and it is now held by the Rev. H.A. Nash. The schoolroom in Rann Street is licensed in connection with St. Margaret's.

_St. Margaret's_, Olton, was consecrated Dec. 14, 1880, the first stone having been laid Oct. 30, 1879.

_St. Margaret's_, Ward End, built on the site, and partly with the ruins of an ancient church, was opened in 1836, and gives accommodation for 320 persons, 175 seats being free. The living, value 150, is in the gift of trustees, and is held by the Rev. C. Heath, M.A., Vicar.

_St. Mark's_, King Edward's Road.--First stone laid March 31, 1840; consecrated July 30, 1841. Cost about 4,000, and accommodates 1,000, about a third of the seats being free. A vicarage, value 300; patrons, trustees; vicar, Rev. R.L.G. Pidc.o.c.k, M.A.

_St. Martins_.--There is no authentic date by which we can arrive at the probable period of the first building of a Church for the parish of Birmingham. Hutton "supposed" there was a church here about A.D. 750, but no other writer has ventured to go past 1280, and as there is no mention in the Domesday Book of any such building, the last supposition is probably nearest the mark. The founder of the church was most likely Sir William de Bermingham, of whom there is still a monumental effigy existing, and the first endowment would naturally come from the same family, who, before the erection of such church, would have their own chapel at the Manor House. Other endowments there were from the Clodshales, notably that of Walter de Clodshale, in 1330, who left twenty acres of land, four messuages, and 18d. annual rent, for one priest to say ma.s.s daily for the souls of the said Walter, his wife, Agnes, and their ancestors; in 1347, Richard de Clodshale gave ten acres of land, five messuages, and 10s. yearly for another priest to say ma.s.s for him and his wife, and his father and mother, "and all the faithful departed"; in 1428, Richard, grandson of the last-named, left 20s. by his will, and bequeathed his body "to be buried in his own chapel,"

"within the Parish Church of Bermyngeham." Besides the Clodshale Chantry, there was that of the Guild of the Holy Cross, but when Henry VIII. laid violent hands on all ecclesiastical property (1535) that belonged to the Church of St. Martin was valued at no move than 10 1s.

From the few fragments that were found when the present building was erected, and from Dugdale's descriptions that has come down to us, there can be little doubt that the church was richly ornamented with monuments and paintings, coloured windows and encaustic tiles, though its income from property would appear to have been meagre enough. Students of history will readily understand how the fine old place came gradually to be but little better than a huge barn, the inside walls whitewashed as was the wont, the monuments mutilated and pushed into corners, the font shoved out of sight, and the stained gla.s.s windows demolished. Outside, the walls and even the tower were "cased in brick" by the churchwardens (1690), who nevertheless thought they were doing the right thing, as among the records of the lost Staunton Collection there was one, dated 1711, of "Monys expended in public charitys by ye inhabitants of Birmingham, wth in 19 years last past," viz.:--

In casing, repairing, &c., ye Old Church 1919 01 9-1/2

Adding to ye Communion Plate of ye said Church 275 ounces of new silver 80 16 06

Repairing ye high ways leading to ye town wth in these 9 years 898 00 01

Subscribed by ye inhabitants towards erecting a New Church, now consecrated, and Parsonage house 2234 13 11 ------------ In all 5132 12 3-12

In the matter of architectural taste the ideas of the church wardens seem curiously mixed, for while disfiguring the old church they evidently did their best to secure the erection of the splendid new church of St. Philip's, as among other entries there were several like these:--

"28pds. 2s. wch Mr. Jno. Holte has collected in Oxford towards building ye New Church."

"Revd. 30 from Sir Charles Holte, Baronet, for the use of the Com.e of the New Church."