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Full Disabled Access |
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Tour Guide
to the Church
Click on thumbnail picture to see a larger
image
 Background and tour guide text
courtesy of John Randell, lifelong church member (who
sadly passed away on 2nd November 2011)
The Parish Church of St.
John's & St. Peter's was built between 1852 & 1854 and consecrated on 15th March 1854. In
1881, the Church was enlarged by the addition of a vestry and the transepts.
Designed by leading Victorian Gothic architect Samuel Sanders Teulon
(1812-1873).
A Thanksgiving Service
took place on 15th March 1954 to mark the one Hundredth Anniversary of the
consecration of the church. The Rector of Birmingham, Rev. Canon Bryan Green
was present and the Rural Dean of Edgbaston, the Rev. J.F. Hinett, presided.
Also in attendance was a former Vicar of the Church, Canon R.B. Parslew. At the
service an appeal was launched for £4,000 to build a Church hall. To complete
the celebrations the Church was floodlit for several nights and this presented a
grand spectacle.
In 1991 a series of
articles was published in the Church magazine which brought into focus the
various interesting items in the Church. These have been put together as a
simple guide for the pleasure of visitors.
Now let us
now take a journey of discovery around the church.
South Side of the
Nave
Immediately alongside the entrance from the Car Park, is a large oval memorial
which is most interesting. The engraved bronze oval depicts a three funnelled
warship of the pre 1914 period. The inscription reads as follows:-
"To the Glory of God and in memory
of Walter Grounds, Petty officer, H.M.S. Terrible. An exemplary sailor, a good
Son and the best big gunshot in the British navy. Died Hong Kong, June 2nd
1902".
Making our way down the aisle, the first stained glass window which depicts
St. John & St. Paul is inscribed:- "To the Glory of God and in memory of
John Leeche-Porter M.A., for 20 years Vicar of this Parish, who died February
11th 1888. This window is erected by many who treasure his memory and value his
work". Alongside is a tablet "To the beloved memory of Harold Hevingham
Warner, 1870 - 1955 and Sister Margaret Elsie 1877 - 1956 who humbly and
devotedly continued in Church and school, the pioneer work of their
grandparents, Edward Bright Bennett and his Wife Hannah".
The next window depicts the story of the Good Samaritan. It is dedicated
"To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Edward Bright Bennett who died
October 1865 and of Hannah his Wife, who died Christmas 1863". The window was erected Easter 1894.
The Lady Chapel
From here we go up three
steps to the Lady Chapel where the beautiful wooden altar was given "to
the memory of Jane Elizabeth Mant, a worshipper in the Church for 40 years, who
died on the 29th March 1927". Placed on the altar is a silver cross given
"In loving memory of Charles Mant for 45 years a worshipper and faithful worker
in the Church. Died 4th May 1932". Above the altar is another beautiful
window ‘Lazarus comes forth’ John 11/43 inscribed "To the Glory of God, erected by the children of the congregation and
schools, at the restoration of the Church in 1893".
The wood carvings at the end of each pew depict the four Apostles seating in
the chapel. The seats were given "In memory of Louise Elliott and
Charles Murray, faithful workers of the Church". The small round window
in this area is worthy of a long look. On sunny days the light shining through
the stained glass windows are really something to behold and appreciate. Early
morning and evening are especially good viewing times.
The Chancel
Let us now move east into
the Chancel and take a careful look around. The main window above the altar
depicts Jesus with the four Apostles. Beneath this window is an inscription
which briefly reads "This window is dedicated to the most Holy Trinity
through our Lord Jesus Christ, supplicant for us, AD MDCCCLX 1v (1854)" -translated
from the Latin. Set in the floor below the altar is a tablet which reads:- "To the Glory
of God, the pavement of the Sacarium is given by Matilda Underhill - Easter Day
1882". Do have a good look at the original flooring in this area. What a
wonderful gift and how well it has stood up to the constant use for over a
century.
The window to the left of the altar depicts the Angel giving the message to
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary - "He is not here for he is risen as He
said".
It is inscribed "The gift of Thomas and Mary Parkas 1893".
The
window to the right of the altar is given "To the honour and Glory of
God, in loving memory of Amelia Roomsund, was called to Jesus May 7th 1891, age
49".
Standing to the left of the altar is the Bishop's chair, given "For
the Glory of God and in loving memory of dear one's gone before. Whit Sunday
1913". The kneeler in front of the chair was "Given to the Glory
of God and in loving memory of Kate Elliott who fell asleep in Jesus, Feb. 26th
1898".
To the right of the doorway leading to the vestry from the Chancel is a
foundation stone inscribed "To the Glory of God, this stone was laid by
Mrs John Hopkins, April 19th 1881, to commemorate the enlargement of the
Church".
The fine oak screen which
forms the passageway to the vestry bears the inscription "Given in memory
of Alice Mary Hopkins, a faithful member of this Church".
Entrance to the
Vicar's Vestry
If we now go around to the
organ there is a window above the entrance to the Vicar's vestry. The
inscription to this window reads "To the Glory of God and in grateful
memory of James H Boddington who died December 29th 1892 and of Elizabeth his
Wife who died April 11th 1870.
This window
is erected by many who valued their Christian character and example and esteemed
them very highly in love for their work's sake".
(Erected December 29th 1894).
On the door to the Vicar's vestry is a plaque which read:- "This door
was restored in 1979 in memory of Hilda hall, 1901 - 1978. A lifelong choir
member".
The Pulpit
The ornate stone pulpit bears the date 1881 and the following inscription,
"To the Glory of God and in memory of pious parents J.S.H".
The Lectern
Across the other side is the brass lectern, which bears the inscription "Given in
loving memory of Robert Coane Roberts Jordan M.D., for 33 years a member of this
congregation who died Teignmouth, May 24th 1890, by his Widow and daughter".
North side of the
nave
Making our way along the
North Side of the nave you will observe that the pews to the north transept have
been removed (in 1993) the floor repaired and carpets laid. This gives a much
needed area for alternative services, displays and meetings.
The first stained glass window is inscribed "To the Glory of God and in
dear memory of her father, James Harold Boddington who died December 20th 1892,
aged 73 years and of her Mother, Elizabeth Boddington who died April 11th, 1870
aged 58 years. This window is dedicated by their eldest child, Advent 1895".
Two very nice vases on the War Memorial are given by Miss Dorothy Allely, in memory of her parents Frances & William Allely. Until a few years ago
Dorothy was a very active member of the Church.
The next window along the aisle has unfortunately suffered from age and
vandalism. Despite the damage to the window, it is still rather beautiful.
The next and final window is inscribed "To the Glory of God and in memory
of Esther, the Wife of Edward Clements, who died 22nd December 1904".
This brings us back to the entrance but from there notice
Additional features
The doorways markings on either side of the rear nave and the two pairs of stone
steps from opposite positions within the tower and the south porch indicate that
there was a gallery which stretched above the main entrance but alas is no more.
Whilst you are around the
West Door area please take a look at the new trefoil windows. The represent the
Ladywood area and the Caribbean community in Ladywood. The windows were created
by Kim Jarvis.
You are at the end of your journey, but before you go, do look back down the
Church and take in the beauty of the stained glass windows.
Since the Church was consecrated over 150 years ago it is people like the
present congregation who have been entrusted with the willing task of preserving
this beautiful building, and ensuring its continued use as a place of worship.
Past and Present
Clergy
To
guide successive congregations through good, bad, happy and sad times we have
been blessed with the following clergy
| Cannon
Francis Morse |
1852 - 1868 |
| Rev. J.L.
Porter MA. |
1868 - 1888 |
| Rev. A.R.
Runnels - Moss MA |
1888 - 1921 |
| Rev. R.
Wragge-Morley MA |
1921 - 1927 |
| Canon R.B.
Parslew |
1927 - 1940 |
| Rev. C.
Norman Darrall |
1940 - 1951 |
| Canon
Norman S. Power MA. |
1952 - 1988 |
| Rev. Richard Tetlow MA, C.Q.S.W.
Rev. Jo Mason
B. Music |
1989
- Sep 2008 1991 - July
2011 |
|
Rev. Ian Harper |
23rd Sep 2010 - date |
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