All Saints, Wolverhampton Explained

Country:England
Static Image Name:File:All Saints Church, Wolverhampton - geograph.org.uk - 1269407.jpg
Static Image Caption:All Saints' Church
Coordinates:52.579°N -2.12°W
Official Name:All Saints
Metropolitan Borough:Wolverhampton
Metropolitan County:West Midlands
Region:West Midlands
Post Town:Wolverhampton
Postcode District:WV2 1
Postcode Area:WV
Dial Code:01902
Module:
Stroke-Width:1
Zoom:11
Width:240

All Saints is an inner city area of Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England. It is situated immediately to the south-east of the city centre, in the city council's Ettingshall ward.

The first All Saints Church and school was built in 1864 on Steelhouse Lane. The Rev. Henry Hampton of St John's Church, Wolverhampton was its first minister. The current church was designed by London architects T. Taylor Smith & G. F. Roper in the early gothic style and consecrated in 1879.[1] A separate parish was formed two years later. The church building was extensively added to in 1892–3. The church is part of the ecclesiastical parish of Central Wolverhampton. The nave of the church has been partitioned off and is used by a community group. The former All Saints' Infants and Junior School, which opened in 1894 stands next to the church. The school closed in 1990 with pupils transferring to Grove Primary School on Caledonia Road. The school building is now known as The Workspace and operated by All Saints Action Network, a social enterprise.[2]

The neighbourhood mostly consists of late 19th century and early 20th century terraced houses, which are mainly inhabited by Sikh and Ravidassia immigrants from the Indian sub-continent. Modern landmarks in the area include, Ford and Nissan car dealerships, a bowling alley and a Fitness First public gym. The Royal Hospital, Wolverhampton, which closed in June 1997, is situated in the area.[3]

It is a fairly deprived area with high levels of crime and unemployment, with much of the housing stock in a dismal condition. As recently as the 1980s, many houses in the area were lacking bathrooms and indoor toilets. Since then, a significant number of these older properties have been demolished.

Mount Zion 7th Day Church of God has a fellowship on Caledonia Road and hosts a food bank.[4] On the same road are Grove Primary School and its neighbour, St Mary and St John's Catholic Primary Academy. Pond Lane Mission Hall, a tin tabernacle was established in 1896 in the parish of St Luke's, Blakenhall.[5]

The former premises of James Baker & Sons Ltd, boot manufacturers stands on Vicarage Road and Cleveland Road. The business started out in 1850 making industrial footwear, but later changed to boots and shoes.[6] The factory dates from 1861 and was extended to Powlett Street in 1898. It is Grade II listed and has a courtyard plan. The firm closed in the 1970s.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2012-07-02 . 1879 – All Saints Church, Steelhouse Lane, Wolverhampton Archiseek - Irish Architecture . 2023-12-11 . en-US.
  2. Web site: Rispin . Martin . 2009 . A Brief Guide to All Saints’ Church . 2023-12-11 . www.historywebsite.co.uk.
  3. Web site: Royal Hospital, Wolverhampton. History website. 10 December 2016.
  4. Web site: Food banks and soup kitchens City Of Wolverhampton Council . 2023-12-12 . www.wolverhampton.gov.uk.
  5. Web site: 2007-05-16 . Tour lifts lid on chapel gems . 2023-12-12 . www.expressandstar.com . en.
  6. Web site: Machine Room, James Baker and Sons Ltd., Boot Manufacturers . 12 December 2023 . blackcountryhistory.org.
  7. Web site: 2005 . Miscellaneous Local Industries: James Baker & Sons Ltd . 12 December 2023 . The History of Wolverhampton the City and its People.