Christ Church, Ward End Explained

Christ Church, Ward End
Coordinates:52.49°N -1.8213°W
Country:England
Denomination:Church of England
Dedication:Christ Church
Consecrated Date:29 June 1935
Heritage Designation:Grade II listed
Architect:Holland W. Hobbiss
Style:Romanesque
Groundbreaking:4 March 1934
Construction Cost:£11,500
Parish:Christ Church, Ward End
Deanery:Yardley and Bordesley
Archdeaconry:Birmingham
Diocese:Anglican Diocese of Birmingham

Christ Church, Ward End is a Grade II listed parish church in the Church of England in Birmingham.[1]

History

The land on which the church was built was given by the Metropolitan Cammell Carriage and Wagon Company in the late 1920s. The first sod was cut on 4 March 1934[2] by Revd. W.E. Dugmore, vicar of St Margaret's Church, Ward End. The foundation stone was laid on 12 May 1934 by Rt. Revd Ernest Barnes Bishop of Birmingham[3] in a ceremony conducted with Masonic rites, Freemasons being present from various lodges in the Warwickshire Province.

The church was built to designs by the architect Holland W. Hobbiss by the firm of William Deacon and Son of Lichfield.[4] It was consecrated by Rt. Revd Ernest Barnes Bishop of Birmingham on 29 June 1935.[5]

The church contains two sculptures by William Bloye.

The side chapel was fitted out in 1951 with panelling and an altar from St Stephen the Martyr's Church, Newtown Row. It became a parish in its own right on 28 May 1965.

The church hall was built in 1968 to designs of the architect Noel Hastilow.

In 2005, St Margaret's Church, Ward End was closed, and the parish was merged with Christ Church.

Organ

The organ dates from 1948 and was built by Alfred E. Davies & Son Ltd. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.

Notes and References

  1. The Buildings of England. Warwickshire. Nikolaus Pevsner. Penguin Books. p.208
  2. News: . New Church Scheme . Birmingham Daily Gazette . England . 5 March 1934 . 13 January 2021 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  3. News: . Bishop’s Good Word for Freemasonry. "Cordial Relationship with Church" . Birmingham Daily Gazette . England . 14 May 1934 . 13 January 2021 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  4. Web site: Christ Church and Associated Gate Piers, Gates, Boundary Wall and Railings, Birmingham . . British Listed Buildings . britishlistedbuildings.co.uk . 22 February 2015.
  5. News: . New Church. Consecration by Bishop of Birmingham . Birmingham Daily Gazette . England . 1 July 1935 . 13 January 2021 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .