St. Mary's Church, Selly Oak
Encyclopedia
St. Mary's Church, Selly Oak is a parish church
in the Church of England
located in Selly Oak
, Birmingham
.
in 1862. The foundation stone of the new church was laid on 12 July 1860 and the church was consecrated by the Bishop of Worcester
, the Right Reverend Henry Philpott
, on 12 September 1861. The architect was Edward Holmes. This Church was built through the munificence of Joseph Frederick Ledsam and George Richards Elkington.
) up a drive, and through a lych gate, is built in the decorated Gothic Revival (14th-century) style using sandstone from a quarry (now closed) in Weoley Castle
. There are limestone facings to the window openings, and the north west tower supports a broach spire 150 feet (45.7 m) high, surmounted by a weathercock. It is surrounded by a churchyard.
The building is Grade II listed. Internally, the wall plastering is interrupted by horizontal bands of sandstone. In the transepts and nave the roof timbers are exposed but those in the chancel are gilded and painted in heraldic colours or red, blue, green, white and gold. The columns of the four bay nave are of limestone. The interior of the church was reordered and redecorated at its centenary in 1961, supervised by the architect Stephen Dykes Bower
. A painted, sculpted rood screen was removed at that time, and transferred to the Church at Hadley, in Telford. A set of olive wood Stations of the Cross
were installed in the 1980s.
but transferred to the new Anglican Diocese of Birmingham
when it was created in 1905, the Right Reverend Charles Gore
being the Bishop at that time.
There are 9 stained glass windows by John Hardman
.
The Revd Jim Cox was collated and inducted as the Vicar of Selly Oak in a service conducted by David Andrew Urquhart
the Bishop of Birmingham
assisted by Archdeacon Hayward Osborne at St Mary's Church, Selly Oak, on Friday 4 September 2009.
In 1887, to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, two more bells were added, bringing the ring to eight with a tenor weight of in G. The eight bells were first rung on 20 June 1887.
In 1922 it was discovered that the bells were unsafe to ring, and they remained silent for 10 years until money could be found to rectify the problem. The Master of the Ringers for many years from the 1930s was William B. Cartwright, a local solicitor.
IN MEMORIAM FILIÆ ET S. M. VICTORIÆ ANNUM QUINQUAGESIMA REGNANTIS D. D. JOEL MERRETT.
(Translation: Given by Joel Merrett in memory of a daughter and the fiftieth year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria.)
+ BEATUS POPULUS QUI SCIT JUBILATIONEM.
(Translation: Happy are the people who know how to rejoice.)
, retaining much of the original pipework. The organ was restored again between 1925 and 1930 by Bird of Selly Park.
The organ was restored again in 1958 by Nicholson and the console resited to the North side of the Chancel, and dedicated by the Right Reverend John Leonard Wilson
, the fourth Bishop of Birmingham
, at a recital by Sir George Thalben-Ball
, the Birmingham City Organist
, on 4 June 1958. Some further tonal improvements were carried out by Sheffield Organs in 1996 and 1999.
The specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.
The Organist is also choirmaster and a robed choir leads the worship at the principal Sunday services. Other choral occasions include the Christmas Festival of Lessons & Carols, and a passion cantata, such as Stainer's Crucifixion, during Holy Week. There are also occasional organ recitals and concerts.
for the great clock at Westminster and the large clock at Worcester Cathedral
. The cost was about £331 (£ as of ), and was the gift of the widow and family of the late Mr. Benjamin Walters.
The frame is horizontal, of cast iron and planed. It is 6 ft (2 m). long, l ft. 9ins. wide, and l ft. in depth, and rests on beams which are built into the tower wall to ensure absence of vibration. The wheels are of gun-metal, and the pendulum beats every 1¼ secs.
The clock was fitted in 1887, the year of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
Parish church
A parish church , in Christianity, is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish, the basic administrative unit of episcopal churches....
in the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
located in Selly Oak
Selly Oak
Selly Oak is a residential suburban district in south-west Birmingham, England. The suburb is bordered by Bournbrook and Selly Park to the north-east, Edgbaston and Harborne to the north, Weoley Castle and Weoley Hill to the west, and Bournville to the south...
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
.
Background
The parish of St. Mary's was formed out of the parish of St. Laurence's Church, NorthfieldSt. Laurence's Church, Northfield
St. Laurence's Church, Northfield is a parish church in the Church of England in Northfield, Birmingham.-History:The Grade I listed church dates from the 12th century and contains some of the finest Early English work in the county...
in 1862. The foundation stone of the new church was laid on 12 July 1860 and the church was consecrated by the Bishop of Worcester
Bishop of Worcester
The Bishop of Worcester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury, England. He is the head of the Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury...
, the Right Reverend Henry Philpott
Henry Philpott
Henry Philpott was an English cricketer who played for Sussex. He was born and died in Brighton.Philpott made a single first-class appearance, during the 1855 season, against Surrey. From the lower order, Philpott scored 1 not out in the first innings in which he batted, and 10 runs in the...
, on 12 September 1861. The architect was Edward Holmes. This Church was built through the munificence of Joseph Frederick Ledsam and George Richards Elkington.
The building
The church, which is set back from the main Bristol Road (A38 roadA38 road
The A38, part of which is also known as the Devon Expressway, is a major A-class trunk road in England.The road runs from Bodmin in Cornwall to Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. It is long, making it one of the longest A-roads in England. It was formerly known as the Leeds — Exeter Trunk Road,...
) up a drive, and through a lych gate, is built in the decorated Gothic Revival (14th-century) style using sandstone from a quarry (now closed) in Weoley Castle
Weoley Castle
-External links:****** - Educational teaching sessions and resources at Weoley Castle* - fun and games for children based on Weoley Castle...
. There are limestone facings to the window openings, and the north west tower supports a broach spire 150 feet (45.7 m) high, surmounted by a weathercock. It is surrounded by a churchyard.
The building is Grade II listed. Internally, the wall plastering is interrupted by horizontal bands of sandstone. In the transepts and nave the roof timbers are exposed but those in the chancel are gilded and painted in heraldic colours or red, blue, green, white and gold. The columns of the four bay nave are of limestone. The interior of the church was reordered and redecorated at its centenary in 1961, supervised by the architect Stephen Dykes Bower
Stephen Dykes Bower
Stephen Ernest Dykes Bower was a British church architect and Gothic Revival designer best known for his work at Westminster Abbey.-Early life and education:...
. A painted, sculpted rood screen was removed at that time, and transferred to the Church at Hadley, in Telford. A set of olive wood Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross refers to the depiction of the final hours of Jesus, and the devotion commemorating the Passion. The tradition as chapel devotion began with St...
were installed in the 1980s.
History
The church was originally within the Anglican Diocese of WorcesterAnglican Diocese of Worcester
The Diocese of Worcester forms part of the Province of Canterbury in England.The diocese was founded in around 679 by St Theodore of Canterbury at Worcester to minister to the kingdom of the Hwicce, one of the many Anglo Saxon petty-kingdoms of that time...
but transferred to the new Anglican Diocese of Birmingham
Anglican Diocese of Birmingham
The Anglican Diocese of Birmingham is a diocese in the Church of England's Province of Canterbury, covering the north west of the traditional county of Warwickshire in England....
when it was created in 1905, the Right Reverend Charles Gore
Charles Gore
Charles Gore was a British theologian and Anglican bishop.-Early life and education:Gore was the third son of the Honourable Charles Alexander Gore, and brother of the fourth Earl of Arran...
being the Bishop at that time.
Windows
Hardman & Co.
Hardman & Co., otherwise John Hardman Trading Co., Ltd., founded 1838, began manufacturing stained glass in 1844 and became one of the world's leading manufacturers of stained glass and ecclesiastical fittings...
.
- East Window. The Ascension, 1861, given by George ElkingtonGeorge ElkingtonGeorge Richards Elkington was a manufacturer from Birmingham, England. He patented the first commercial electroplating process.Elkington was born in Birmingham, the son of a spectacle manufacturer...
in memory of his first wife Mary. - West Window. The Transfiguration, 1861, given by J F Ledsam. Above the window a small grisaille in memory of T C Humphries and his wife Eugenie.
- South west window. Mary and Martha, 1872, given by the Elkington family in memory of Margaret Morgan, second wife of George ElkingtonGeorge ElkingtonGeorge Richards Elkington was a manufacturer from Birmingham, England. He patented the first commercial electroplating process.Elkington was born in Birmingham, the son of a spectacle manufacturer...
- South aisle south window. The Good Samaritan, 1866, in memory of George ElkingtonGeorge ElkingtonGeorge Richards Elkington was a manufacturer from Birmingham, England. He patented the first commercial electroplating process.Elkington was born in Birmingham, the son of a spectacle manufacturer...
. - South transept west window. Christ and Mary Magdalene, in memory of Hyla Elkington, died 1901
- South transept south window. Worship of the Kings. In memory of John Meredith of HarborneHarborneHarborne is an area three miles southwest from Birmingham city centre, England. It is a Birmingham City Council ward in the formal district and in the parliamentary constituency of Birmingham Edgbaston.- Geography :...
, died 1851, and his wife Jane - South transept east window. Peter and John at the Tomb. In memory of Hyla Elkington (obscured by the organ)
- Lady Chapel north window. Healing and Resurrection, given by Edward Holmes (architect) in memory of his wife Anne.
- Baptistry. Blessing the Children, given by J.F. Ledsam in memory of F.G. Ledsam.
Incumbents
- 1862 Thomas Price
- 1887 Clement Price
- 1894 Edward John Barleet
- 1900 Clement Réné Sharpe
- 1903 Lawrence Banks Sladen
- 1909 Edmund Arthur Haviland
- 1915 Kenneth Donald Mackenzie (later Bishop of Brechin (Episcopal))
- 1920 Thomas Brancker
- 1926 Herbert James Rayner
- 1930 Reginald Pemberton Steer
- 1935 Mark Elliott Perfitt
- 1942 Frederick Rocke Pryce Parry
- 1957 Michael Webster
- 1977 John Donald Waterstreet
- 1990 Christopher John Aldridge
- 2001 Martin Vincent Roberts
- 2009 James David Robert Cox
The Revd Jim Cox was collated and inducted as the Vicar of Selly Oak in a service conducted by David Andrew Urquhart
David Andrew Urquhart
David Andrew Urquhart is the ninth Bishop of Birmingham.Urquhart was educated at Rugby School and Ealing College Business School . After a career in commercial management with British Petroleum, he studied for the ordained ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford...
the Bishop of Birmingham
Bishop of Birmingham
The Bishop of Birmingham heads the Church of England diocese of Birmingham, in the Province of Canterbury, in England.The diocese covers the North West of the historical county of Warwickshire and has its see in the City of Birmingham, West Midlands, where the seat of the diocese is located at the...
assisted by Archdeacon Hayward Osborne at St Mary's Church, Selly Oak, on Friday 4 September 2009.
Bells
At consecration on 12 September 1861 there was only one bell in the tower. Five more were added in 1864, bringing the ring to six and these were first rung on 29 September 1864.In 1887, to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, two more bells were added, bringing the ring to eight with a tenor weight of in G. The eight bells were first rung on 20 June 1887.
In 1922 it was discovered that the bells were unsafe to ring, and they remained silent for 10 years until money could be found to rectify the problem. The Master of the Ringers for many years from the 1930s was William B. Cartwright, a local solicitor.
Inscriptions
The following inscriptions appear on the bells:—- No. 1 Bell.—Treble.
IN MEMORIAM FILIÆ ET S. M. VICTORIÆ ANNUM QUINQUAGESIMA REGNANTIS D. D. JOEL MERRETT.
(Translation: Given by Joel Merrett in memory of a daughter and the fiftieth year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria.)
- No. 8 Bell.—Tenor.
+ BEATUS POPULUS QUI SCIT JUBILATIONEM.
(Translation: Happy are the people who know how to rejoice.)
Organ
An organ was installed in 1862 for the opening of the church. In the 1870s, it was moved to the south side of the chancel. The organ was completely re-built in 1902 by Nicholson & Co (Worcester) LtdNicholson & Co (Worcester) Ltd
Nicholson & Co Ltd is a company that manufactures pipe organs.The Nicholson's were a family of organ builders originating from Rochdale, Lancashire in the North of England. When John Nicholson moved to Worcester in 1841 he obtained permission from the Dean and Chapter of Worcester Cathedral to...
, retaining much of the original pipework. The organ was restored again between 1925 and 1930 by Bird of Selly Park.
The organ was restored again in 1958 by Nicholson and the console resited to the North side of the Chancel, and dedicated by the Right Reverend John Leonard Wilson
John Leonard Wilson
John Leonard Wilson KCMG was an Anglican bishop. He was Bishop of Singapore from 1941 to 1949 during the time of Japanese occupation and subsequently Dean of Manchester and Bishop of Birmingham.-Education:...
, the fourth Bishop of Birmingham
Bishop of Birmingham
The Bishop of Birmingham heads the Church of England diocese of Birmingham, in the Province of Canterbury, in England.The diocese covers the North West of the historical county of Warwickshire and has its see in the City of Birmingham, West Midlands, where the seat of the diocese is located at the...
, at a recital by Sir George Thalben-Ball
George Thalben-Ball
Sir George Thomas Thalben-Ball CBE was an organist and composer who, though originally from Australia, spent most of his life in Britain....
, the Birmingham City Organist
Birmingham City Organist
Birmingham City Organist is an appointment made by the City of Birmingham. The purpose of the appointment is to have an organist for civic occasions and who will provide a series of free public organ recitals....
, on 4 June 1958. Some further tonal improvements were carried out by Sheffield Organs in 1996 and 1999.
The specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.
Organists
- Frank Frederick Cuisset (previously organist of Bishop Ryder Church, Birmingham and Holy Trinity Church, CoventryHoly Trinity Church, CoventryHoly Trinity Church, Coventry is a parish church in the Church of England located in Coventry City Centre, West Midlands, England.Above the chancel arch is probably the most impressive Doom wall-painting now remaining in an English church.-History:...
, afterwards organist of Bushbridge Church, GodalmingGodalmingGodalming is a town and civil parish in the Waverley district of the county of Surrey, England, south of Guildford. It is built on the banks of the River Wey and is a prosperous part of the London commuter belt. Godalming shares a three-way twinning arrangement with the towns of Joigny in France...
) - c1868 - 1888 William Humphreys
- 1932 - 1934 Leonard Gibbons
- 1934 - 1985 Leslie John Barker ALCM
- 1986 - 1990 David Twigg
- Since 1990 John Stormont
- 1950-70 Keith Collyer, Deputy Organist
- 1960s Dennis Mason, Deputy Organist
The Organist is also choirmaster and a robed choir leads the worship at the principal Sunday services. Other choral occasions include the Christmas Festival of Lessons & Carols, and a passion cantata, such as Stainer's Crucifixion, during Holy Week. There are also occasional organ recitals and concerts.
Clock
The Clock, which sounds the hour and quarter chimes, was made by Messrs. J. B. Joyce & Co. under the supervision of the Rev. Canon Cattley. It is made on the same principle as the clock designed by Edmund Beckett, 1st Baron GrimthorpeEdmund Beckett, 1st Baron Grimthorpe
Edmund Beckett, 1st Baron Grimthorpe, Q.C. , known previously as Sir Edmund Beckett, 5th Baronet and Edmund Beckett Denison was a lawyer, horologist, and architect...
for the great clock at Westminster and the large clock at Worcester Cathedral
Worcester Cathedral
Worcester Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Worcester, England; situated on a bank overlooking the River Severn. It is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Worcester. Its official name is The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Mary the Virgin of Worcester...
. The cost was about £331 (£ as of ), and was the gift of the widow and family of the late Mr. Benjamin Walters.
The frame is horizontal, of cast iron and planed. It is 6 ft (2 m). long, l ft. 9ins. wide, and l ft. in depth, and rests on beams which are built into the tower wall to ensure absence of vibration. The wheels are of gun-metal, and the pendulum beats every 1¼ secs.
The clock was fitted in 1887, the year of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.