Page:Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham.djvu/242

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
230
SHOWELL'S DICTIONARY OF BIRMINGHAM.

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 (185ft. 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 hell in Mission Room, Fox Street.

St. Catherine's, Nechells.—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, Nechells.—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 incumbent, Rev. J. T. Butlin, B.A. Services also at Mission Room, High Park Street.

St. Cuthhert'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 incumbent, 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 assigned 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. Edhurgh'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