St. John's and St. Peter's Church, with Ladywood ARC  
Darnley Road, Ladywood, Birmingham, B16 8TF United Kingdom  (+44)121 4540973

Welcome to St. John's & St. Peter's Church with Ladywood ARC, Birmingham, UK - 156 years of witness in the Community.

Latest:    Pictures from Confirmation Service 20th July 2008

Tour Guide  to the Church

Background and tour guide text courtesy of John Randell, lifelong church member

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 Vicars, through to our present Vicar, Richard Tetlow and assistant Priest, Josephine (Jo)  Mason:-

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