Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham Part 37

From time to time other alterations were made, such as new roofing, shutting up the clerestory windows, piercing the walls of the chancel and the body of the church for fresh windows attaching a vestry, &c. The churchyard was partly surrounded by houses, and in 1781 "iron pallisadoes" were affixed to the wall. In this year also 33ft. of the spire was taken down and rebuilt. In 1807 the churchyard was enlarged by the purchase of five tenements fronting Spiceal Street, belonging to the Governors of the Free Grammar School, for 423, and the Commissioners having cleared the Bull Ring of the many erections formerly existing there the old church in its hideous brick dress was fully exposed to view. n.o.ble and handsome places of worship were erected in other parts of the town, but the old mother church was left in all its shabbiness until it became almost unsafe to hold services therein at all. The bitter feelings engendered by the old church-rate wars had doubtless much to do with this neglect of the "parish" church, but it was not exactly creditable to the Birmingham men of '49, when attention was drawn to the dangerous condition of the spire, and a general restoration was proposed, that what one gentleman has been pleased to call "the lack of public interest" should be made so manifest that not even enough could be got to rebuild the tower. Another attempt was made in 1853, and on April 25th, 1854, the work of restoring the tower and rebuilding the spire, at a cost of 6,000, was commenced. The old brick casing was replaced by stone, and, on completion of the tower, the first stone of the new spire was laid June 20, 1855, the "topping" being successfully accomplished November 22nd following. The height of the present spire from the ground to the top of the stone-work is 185ft. 10 1/2in., the tower being 69ft. 6in., and the spire itself 116ft. 4 1/2in., the vane being an additional 18ft. 6in. The old spire was about 3in. lower than the present new one, though it looked higher on account of its more beautiful form and its thinner top only surmounted by the weatherc.o.c.k, now to be seen at Aston Hall, The clock and chimes were renewed at a cost of 200 in 1858; the tunes played being "G.o.d save the Queen" [Her Majesty visited Birmingham that year], "Rule Britannia," "Blue Bells of Scotland," "Life let us cherish," the "Easter Hymn," and two other hymns. Twenty years after (in 1878) after a very long period (nine years) of inaction, the charming apparatus was again put in order, the chimes being the same as before, with the exception of "Auld lang syne,"

which is subst.i.tuted for "G.o.d save the Queen," in consequence of the latter not giving satisfaction since the bells have been repaired [vide "_Mail_"]. The clock dial is 9ft. 6in. in diameter. The original bells in the steeple were doubtless melted in the troublesome days of the Commonwealth, or perhaps, removed when Bluff Hal sequestered the Church's property, as a new set of six (total weight 53cwt. 1qr. 15lbs.) were hung in 1682. During the last century these were recast, and addition made to the peal, which now consists of twelve.

Treble, cast in 1772, weight not noted.

Second, " 1771, ditto.

Third, " 1758, weighing 6 2 16 Fourth, " 1758, " 6 3 27 Fifth, " 1758, " 8 0 20 Sixth, " 1769, " 8 2 12 Seventh " 1768, " 9 3 12 Eighth, " 1758, " 11 3 6 Ninth, " 1758, " 15 1 17 Tenth, " 1758, " 17 3 2 Eleventh " 1769, " 27 3 16 Tenor, " 1768, " 35 0 8

The ninth bell was recast in 1790; fourth and fifth have also been recast, by Blews and Son, in 1870. In the metal of the tenor several coins are visible, one being a Spanish dollar of 1742. The following lines appear on some of the bells;--

On Seventh:--"You singers all that prize your health and happiness, be sober, merry and wise and you will the same possess."

On Eighth.--"To honour both of G.o.d and King, our voices shall in concert ring."

On Tenth.--"Our voices shall with joyful sound make, hills and valleys echo round."

On Tenor.--"Let your ceaseless changes raise to our Great Maker still new praise."

The handsome appearance of the tower and spire, after restoration, contrasted so strongly with the "dowdy" appearance of the remainder of the church, that it was little wonder a more determined effort should be made for a general building, and this time (1872) the appeal was no longer in vain. Large donations were given by friends as well as by many outside the pale of the Church, and Dr. Wilkinson, the Rector, soon found himself in a position to proceed with the work. The last sermon in the old church was preached by Canon Miller, the former Rector, Oct. 27, 1872, and the old brick barn gave place to an ecclesiastical structure of which the town may be proud, n.o.ble in proportions, and more than equal in its Gothic beauty to the original edifice of the Lords de Bermingham, whose sculptured monuments have at length found a secure resting-place in the chancel of the new St. Martin's. From east to west the length of the church is a little over 155ft., including the chancel, the arch of which rises to 60ft.; the width, including nave (25ft.) and north and south aisles, is 67ft.; at the transepts the measure from north to south gives 104ft. width. The consecration and re-opening took place July 20, 1875, when the church, which will accommodate 2,200 (400 seats are free) was thronged. Several stained windows have been put in, the organ has been enlarged, and much done in the way of decoration since the re-building, the total cost being nearly 25,000. The living (1,048 nett value) is in the gift of trustees, and has been held since 1866 by the Rev. W. Wilkinson, D.D., Hon. Canon of Worcester, Rural Dean, and Surrogate. The burial ground was closed Dec. 9, 1848.

_St. Mary's_, Ac.o.c.k's Green, was opened Oct. 17, 1866. The cost of erection was 4,750, but it was enlarged in 1882, at a further cost of 3,000. There are 720 sittings, 420 being free. The nett value of the living, in the gift of trustees, is 147, and the present vicar is the Rev. F.T. Swinburn, D.D.

_St. Mary's_, Aston Brook, was opened Dec. 10, 1863. It seats 750 (half free), and cost 4,000; was the gift of Josiah Robins, Esq., and family.

Perpetual curacy, value 300. The site of the parsonage (built in 1877, at a cost of 2,300), was the gift of Miss Robins. Present inc.u.mbent, Rev. F. Smith, M.A.

_St. Mary's_, Moseley.--The original date of erection is uncertain, but there are records to the effect that the tower was an addition made in Henry VIII.'s reign, and there was doubtless a church here long prior to 1500. The chancel is a modern addition of 1873; the bells were re-cast about same time, the commemorative peal being rung June 9, 1874; and on June 8, 1878, the churchyard was enlarged by the taking in of 4,500 square yards of adjoining land. The living, of which the Vicar of Bromsgrove is the patron, is worth 280, and is now held by the Rev. W.

H. Colmore, M.A. Of the 500 sittings 150 are free.

_St. Mary's_, Selly Oak, was consecrated September 12, 1861, having been erected chiefly at the expense of G.R. Elkington and J.F. Ledsam, Esqrs.

There are 620 sittings, of which 420 are free. The living is in the gift of the Bishop and trustee; is valued at 200, and the present vicar is the Rev. T. Price, M.A.

_St. Mary's_, Whittall Street, was erected in 1774, and in 1857 underwent a thorough renovation, the reopening services being held August 16. There are 1,700 sittings of which 400 are free. The living is a vicarage, with an endowment of 172 with parsonage, in the gift of trustees, and is now held by the Rev. J.S. Owen.

_St. Matthew's_, Great Lister Street, was consecrated October 20, 1840, and has sittings for 1,400, 580 seats being free. The original cost of the building was only 3,200, but nearly 1,000 was expended upon it in 1883. Five trustees have the gift of the living, value 300, which is now held by the Rev. J. Byrchmore, vicar. The Mission Room, in Lupin Street, is served from St. Matthew's.

_St. Matthias's_, Wheeler Street, commenced May 30th, 1855, was consecrated June 4, 1856. Over 1,000 was spent on renovations in 1879.

The seats (1,150) are all free. The yearly value of the living is 300, and it is in the gift of trustees. The vicar is the Rev. J.H. Haslam, M.A.

_St. Michael's_, in the Cemetery, Warstone Lane, was opened Jan. 15, 1854, the living (nominal value, 50) being in the gift of the directors. Will accommodate 400--180 seats being free.

_St. Michael's_, Northfield.--Of the original date of erection there is no trace, but it cannot be later than the eleventh century, and Mr.

Allen Everett thought the chancel was built about 1189. The five old bells were recast in 1730, by Joseph Smith of Edgbaston, and made into six. The present building was erected in 1856-7, and has seating for 800, all free. The living, valued at 740, is held by the Rev. R. Wylde, M.A., and connected with it is the chapel-of-ease at Bartley Green.

_St. Michael's_, Soho, Handsworth, was opened in 1861. It has 1,000 sittings, one-half of which are free. The living is valued at 370, is in the gift of the Rector of Handsworth, and is now held by the Rev.

F.A. Macdona.

_St. Nicolas_, Lower Tower Street--The foundation stone was laid Sept.

15, 1867; the church was consecrated July 12, 1868, and it has seats for 576 persons, the whole being free. The Bishop is the patron of the living, value 300, and the Vicar is the Rev. W.H. Connor, M.A.

_St. Nicholas_, King's Norton.--This church is another of the ancient ones, the register dating from 1547. It was partially re-erected in 1857, and more completely so in 1872, morn than 5,000 being expended upon it. The Dean and Chapter of Worcester are the patrons of the living (nett value 250), and the Vicar is the Rev. D.H.C. Preedy. There are 700 sittings, 300 of which are free.

_St. Oswald's_, situated opposite Small Heath Park, is an iron structure, lined with wood. It will seat about 400, cost 600, and was opened Aug. 10, 1882, being for the present in charge of the clergyman attached to St. Andrew's.

_St. Patrick's_, Highgate Street.--Erected in 1873, at a cost of 2,300, as a "School-chapel" attached to St. Alban's, and ministered unto by the Revds. J.S. and T.B. Pollock. 800 seats, all free.

_St. Paul's_, in St. Paul's Square.--The first stone was laid May 22, 1777, and the church was consecrated June 2, 1779, but remained without its spire until 1823, and was minus a clock for a long time after that.

The east window in this church has been cla.s.sed as the A1 of modern painted windows. The subject, the "Conversion of St. Paul," was designed by Benjamin West, and executed by Francis Eggington, in 1789-90. In May, 1876, the old discoloured varnish was removed, and the protecting transparent window re-glazed, so that the full beauty and finish of this exquisite work can be seen now as in its original state. Of the 1,400 sittings 900 are free. The living is worth 300, in the gift of trustees, and is held by the Rev. R.B. Burges, M.A., Vicar.

_St. Paul's_, Lozells.--The first stone was laid July 10, 1879, and the building consecrated September 11, 1880. The total cost was 8,700, the number of sittings being 800, of which one half are free. Patrons, Trustees. Vicar, Rev. E.D. Roberts, M.A.

_St. Paul's_, Moseley Road, Balsall Heath.--Foundation stone laid May 17, 1852, the building being opened that day twelvemonth. Cost 5,500 and has sittings for 1,300, of which number 465 are free. The Vicar of King's Norton is the patron of the living (value 300), and it is held by the Rev. W.B. Benison, M.A.

_St. Peter's_, Dale End, was begun in 1825, and consecrated Aug. 10, 1827, having cost 19,000. Considerable damage to the church was caused by fire, Jan. 24,1831. There are 1,500 sittings, all free. The living is valued at 260, is in the gift of the Bishop, and is held by the Rev. R.

Dell, M.A., Vicar.

_St. Philip's_.--The parish of St. Philip's was created by special Act, 7 Anne, c. 34 (1708), and it being the first division of St. Martin's the new parish was bound to pay the Rector of St. Martin's 15 per year and 7 to the Clerk thereof, besides other liabilities. The site for the church (long called the "New Church") and churchyard, as near as possible four acres, was given by Mrs. Phillips, which accounts for the Saint's name chosen. George I. gave 600 towards the building fund, on the application of Sir Richard Gough, whose crest of a boar's head was put over the church, and there is now, in the form of a vane, as an acknowledgment of his kindness. Other subscriptions came in freely, and the 5,000, first estimated cost, was soon raised. [See "_St.

Martins_"]. The building was commenced in 1711, and consecrated on October 4th, 1715. but the church was not completed until 1719. The church was re-pewed in 1850, great part restored in 1859-60, and considerably enlarged in 1883-84. The height of the tower is 140ft., and there are ten bells, six of them dating from the year 1719 and the others from 1761. There is accommodation for 2,000 persons, 600 of the seats being free. The nett value of the living is 868, the Bishop being patron. The present Rector, the Rev. H.B. Bowlby, M.A., Hon. Canon of Worcester, and Surrogate, has been with us since 1875,

_St. Saviour's_, Saltley, was consecrated July 23, 1850. The cost of building was 6,000; there are 810 seats, 560 being free; the living is vnlued at 240, and is in the gift of Lord Norton; the present Vicar is the Rev. F. Williams, B.A.

_St. Saviour's_, Villa Strest, Hockley.--Corner-stone laid April 9, 1872; consecrated May 1, 1874. Cost 5,500, and has seats for 600, all free. The living (value 250) is in the gift of trustees, and is now held by the Rev. M. Parker, Vicar.

_St. Silaes's_ Church Street, Lozells, was consecrated January 10, 1854, the first stone having been laid June 2, 1852. It has since been enlarged, and has now 1,100 sittings, 430 being free. The living (value 450) is a perpetual curacy, in the gift of trustees, and is held by the Rev. G. C. Baskerville, M.A. The Mission Room in Burbury Street is served from St. Silas's.

_St. Stephen's_, Newtown Row, was consecrated July 23, 1844. The building cost 3,200; there are 1,150 sittings, of which 750 are free; the living is valued at 250, is in the gift of the Bishop and the Crown alternately, and is now held by the Rev. P. Reynolds, Vicar, who also provides for the Mission Room in Theodore Street.

_St. Stephen's_, Selly Hill, was consecrated August 18, 1871, the first stone having been laid March 30, 1870. The patrons are the Bishop and trustees; the living is valued at 200; it is a perpetual curacy, and the inc.u.mbent is the Rev. R. Stokes M.A. Of the 300 sittings 100 are free.

_St. Thomas's_, Holloway Head.--First stone laid Oct. 2, 1826; consecrated Oct. 22, 1829, having cost 14,220. This is the largest church in Birmingham, there being 2,600 sittings, of which 1,500 are free. In the Chartist riots of 1839, the people tore up the railings round the churchyard to use as pikes. The living (value 550) is in the gift of trustees, and is held by the Rev. T. Halstead, Rector and Surrogate.

_St. Thomas-in-the-Moors_, c.o.x Street, Balsall Heath.--The church was commenced to be built, at the expense of the late William Sands c.o.x, Esq., in the year 1868, but on account of some quibble, legal or ecclesiastical, the building was stopped when three parts finished. By his will Mr. c.o.x directed it to be completed, and left a small endowment. This was added to by friends, and the consecration ceremony took place Aug. 14, 1883. The church will accommodate about 600 persons.

_St. Thomas the Martyr_.--Of this church, otherwise called the "Free Chapel," which was richly endowed in 1350 (See "Memorials of Old Birmingham" by Toulmin Smith), and to which the Commissioners of Henry VIII., in 1545, said the inhabitants did "muche resorte," there is not one stone left, and its very site is not known.

_Stirchley Street_ School-Church was erected in 1863, at a cost of 1,200, and is used on Sunday and occasional weekday evenings.

~Places Of Worship.~--_Dissenters'_.--A hundred years ago the places of worship in Birmingham and its neighbourhood, other than the parish churches, could have been counted on one's fingers, and even so late as 1841 not more than four dozen were found by the census enumerators in a radius of some miles from the Bull Ring. At the present time conventicles and tabernacles, Bethels and Bethesdas, Mission Halls and Meeting Rooms, are so numerous that there is hardly a street away from the centre of the town but has one or more such buildings. To give the history of half the meeting-places of the hundred-and-one different denominational bodies among us would fill a book, but notes of the princ.i.p.al Dissenting places of worship are annexed.

_Antinomians_.--In 1810 the members of this sect had a chapel in Bartholomew Street, which was swept away by the L. and N.W. Railway Co., when extending their line to New Street.

_Baptists_.--Prior to 1737, the "Particular Baptists" do not appear to have had any place of worship of their own in this town, what few of them there were travelling backwards and forwards every Sunday to Bromsgrove. The first home they acquired here was a little room in a small yard at the back of 38, High Street (now covered by the Market Hall), which was opened Aug. 24, 1737. In March of the following year a friend left the Particulars a sum of money towards erecting a meeting-house of their own, and this being added to a few subscriptions from the Coventry Particulars, led to the purchase of a little bit of the Cherry Orchard, for which 13 was paid. Hereon a small chapel was put up, with some cottages in front, the rent of which helped to pay chapel expenses, and these cottages formed part of Cannon Street; the land at the back being reserved for a graveyard. The opening of the new chapel gave occasion for attack; and the minister of the New Meeting, Mr. Bowen, an advocate of religious freedom, charged the Baptists (particular though they were) with reviving old Calvinistic doctrines and spreading Antinomianism and other errors in Birmingham; with the guileless innocence peculiar to polemical scribes, past and present. Mr.

Dissenting minister Bowen tried to do his friends in the Bull Ring a good turn by issuing his papers as from "A Consistent Churchman." In 1763 the chapel was enlarged, and at the same time a little more land was added to the graveyard. In 1780 a further enlargement became necessary, which sufficed until 1805, when the original buildings, including the cottages next the street, were taken down to make way for the chapel so long known by the present inhabitants. During the period of demolition and re-erection the Cannon Street congregation were accommodated at Carr's Lane, Mr. T. Morgan and Mr. John Angell James each occupying the pulpit alternately. The new chapel was opened July 16, 1806, and provided seats for 900, a large pew in the gallery above the clock being allotted to the "string band," which was not replaced by an organ until 1859. In August, 1876, the Corporation purchased the site of the chapel, the graveyard, and the adjoining houses, in all about 1,000 square yards in extent, for the sum of 26,500, the last Sunday service being held on October 5, 1879. The remains of departed ministers and past members of the congregation interred in the burial-yard and under the chapel were carefully removed, mostly to Witton Cemetery. The exact number of interments that had taken place in Cannon Street has never been stated, but they were considerably over 200; in one vault alone more than forty lead coffins being found. The site is now covered by the Central Arcade. Almost as old as Cannon Street Chapel was the one in Freeman Street, taken down in 1856, and the next in date was "Old Salem," built in 1791, but demolished when the Great Western Railway was made. In 1785 a few members left Cannon Street to form a church in Needless Alley, but soon removed to Bond Street, under Mr. E. Edmonds, father of the well-known George Edmonds.--In the year 1870 fifty-two members were "dismissed" to const.i.tute a congregation at Newhall Street Chapel, under the Rev. A. O'Neill.--In the same way a few began the church in Graham Street in 1828.--On Emanc.i.p.ation Day (Aug. 1, 1838), the first stone was laid of Heneage Street Chapel, which was opened June 10, 1841.--In 1845 a chapel was erected at Shirley; and on Oct. 24, 1849, the Circus in Bradford Street was opened as a Baptist Chapel.

Salem Chapel, Frederick Street, was opened Sept. 14, 1851.--Wycliffe Church, Bristol Road, was commenced Nov. 8, 1859, and opened June 26, 1861.--Lombard Street Chapel was started Nov. 25, 1864.--Christ Church, Aston, was opened April 19, 1865.--The Chapel in Balsall Heath Road was opened in March, 1872; that in Victoria Street, Small Heath, June 24, 1873; and in Great Francis Street, May 27, 1877. When the Cannon Street Chapel was demolished, the trustees purchased Graham Street Chapel and schools for the sum of 14,200, other portions of the money given by the Corporation being allotted towards the erection of new chapels elsewhere. The Graham Street congregation divided, one portion erecting for themselves the Church of the Redeemer, in Hagley Road, (opened May 24, 1882), while those living on the Handsworth side built a church in Hamstead Road (opened March 1, 1883), each building costing over 10,000. The first stone of the Stratford Road Church (the site of which, valued at 1,200, was given by Mr. W. Middlemore) was laid on the 8th of June, 1878, and the building, which cost 7,600, was opened June 3, 1879. Mr. Middlemore also gave the site (value 2,200) for the Hagley Road Church, 6,000 of the Cannon Street money going to it, and 3,500 to the Stratford Road Church.--The Baptists have also chapels in Guildford Street, Hope Street, Lodge Road, Longmore Street, Great King Street, Spring Hill, Warwick Street, Yates Street, as well as at Erdington, Harborne, King's Heath, Selly Oak, Quinton, &c.

_Catholic Apostolic Church_, Summer Hill Terrace.--This edifice, erected in 1877, cost about 10,000, and has seats for 400.