which was completed in 1862 at a cost of £2,240, is in Sutton Street, Aston Road—too near a residence to the church not being deemed advisable even five-and-twenty years after the opening ceremony of 1837. In 1879 the galleries were removed, and the church re-pewed and otherwise renovated, the re-opening taking place July 28, there being now 860 free sittings.
Christ Church, New Street.—At first known as "The Free Church," this edifice was for no less than ten years in the hands of the builders. The cornerstone was laid July 22, 1805, by Lord Dartmouth, in the absence of George III., who had promised, but was too ill, to be present. His Majesty, however, sent £1,000 towards the building fund. It was consecrated July 13, 1813; finished in 1816; clock put in 1817. The patron is the Bishop of Worcester, and to the living (valued at £350), is attached a Prebendary in Lichfield Cathedral. The present Vicar, since 1881, is the Rev. E. R. Mason, M.A. There is accommodation for 1,500, all the seats being free, but at one time the worshippers were limited in their freedom of sitting by the males having to take their places on one side and the females on the other, a custom which gave rise to the following epigram:
"Our churches and chapels we generally find
Are the places where men to the women are joined;
But at Christ Church, it seems, they are more cruelhearted,
For men and their wives go there and get parted."
Mission services in connection with Christ Church are held in the Pinfold Street and Fleet Street Schoolrooms.
Christ Church, Gillott Road, Summer field. The foundation stone of a church to be erected to the memory of the late Rev. George Lea (for 43 years connected with Christ Church and St. George's, Edgbaston) was laid Nov. 27, 1883. It is intended to accommodate 850 persons,and will cost about £8,000, exclusive of a tower 110ft. high which will be added afterwards at a further cost of £1,200.
Christ Church, Quinton, was erected in 1S41, at a cost of £2,500, and will seat 600, two-thirds being free. The living is valued at £200, is in the gift of the Rector of Halesowen (in whose parish Quinton was formerly included), and is held by the Rev. C. H. Oldfield, B.A.
Christ Church, Sparkbrook, is a handsome Gothic erection, built on land given by Mr. S. S. Lloyd, the first stone being laid April 5, 1866, and the opening ceremony on October 1, 1867, The living, a perpetual curacy, is in the gift of trustees, and is valued at £350 per annum, and has been held hitherto by the Rev. G. Tonge, M.A. The building of the church cost nearly £10,000, the accommodation being sufficient for 900 persons, one-half the seats being free. The stained window in chancel to the memory of Mrs. S. S. Lloyd, is said by some to be the most beautiful in Birmingham, the subject being the Resurrection. There are Mission Rooms and Sunday Schools in Dolobran Road, Montpellier Street, Long Street, and Stratford Road, several thousands having been spent in their erection.
Christ Church, Yardley Wood, was built and endowed by the late John Taylor, Esq., in 1848, the consecration taking place April 4, 1849. Vicarage, value £185 ; patrons, trustees; Vicar, Rev. C. E. Beeby, B.A. Seats 260, the 60 being free.
Edgbaston Old Church.—It is not known when the first church was built on this site, some writers having gone so far back as to fix the year 777 as the probable date. The present edifice, though it incorporates some few remains of former erections, and will always be known as the "old" church, really dates but from 1809-10, when it was rebuilt (opened Sept 10, 1810) but, as the Edgbastonians began
