Page:Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham.djvu/244

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232
SHOWELL'S DICTIONARY OF BIRMINGHAM.

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 1968 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. G. 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. Lawrcnce'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 scats 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 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,