Page:Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham.djvu/251

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
SHOWELL'S DICTIONARY OF BIRMINGHAM.
239

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 constitute 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 Emancipation Day (Aug. 1, 1838), the first stone was laid of Heneage Street Chapel, which was opened June 10, 1841.—In 1815 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 these 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 alto 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.

Christian Brethren.—Their head meeting-house is at the Central Hall, Great Charles Street, other meetings being held in Bearwood Road, Birchfield Road, Green Lanes, King Street, (Balsall Heath), New John Street, Venman Street, (opened in June, 1870), and at Aston and Erdington.