St George's Church, Kidderminster Explained
St George's Church, Kidderminster is a Church of England parish church in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England. The church is a Grade II* listed building.
History
St George’s Church was a Commissioners' church designed by architect Francis Goodwin. Its grant of just over £17,000, was the third-largest given by the commission to any church outside London.[2] It opened in 1824.
A fire which originated in the belfry destroyed the interior of the church on 20 November 1922[3] and it was restored by Giles Gilbert Scott.
Incumbents
- William Villiers 1824 - 1842
- John Downall 1842 - 1847
- Thomas Baker Morrell 1847[4] - 1852
- Charles John McQueen Mottram 1852 - 1872[5]
- Frederic Rawlins Evans 1872 - 1876[6]
- Stephen Brown Bathe 1876[7] - 1887
- Theobald W. Church 1887 - 1915
- Albert Edward Riland Bedford 1915[8] - 1918
- Robert Hume Stephen 1918 - 1932[9]
- Benjamin John Isaacs 1932[10] - 1940
- P.J. Martin 1940 - 1959
- Canon L.W. Chidzey 1959 - 1968[11]
- H. Edward Montague-Youens from 1969[12] - 1972
- Peter D. Chippendale 1972 - 1976[13]
- Andrew John Piggott until 1994
- Canon Nick Barker until 2007[14]
- David Hildred from 2020
Organ
The church obtained a pipe organ in 1828 by Elliot and Hill. In 1869 this was rebuilt by Hill but was destroyed in the fire of 1922. In 1929 a new organ was installed by G.H.C. Foskett. The organ currently comprises 3 manuals and pedals with 45 speaking stops. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[15]
Organists
- C.S. Herve 1836[16] - 1837
- Charles Baldwin from 1837[17]
- W. White ca. 1841
- James Fitzgerald 1850 - 1895[18] (formerly assistant organist at Bristol Cathedral, from 1850 to 1868 also choirmaster at St Mary’s)
- Frank Thornton 1896[19] - 1900 (formerly organist at St Cuthbert’s Church, Birmingham)
- C. Milton Bill from1900[20] (formerly organist at Newport Parish Church, Isle of Wight)
- Richard Alfred Taylor
- Harold Evers ca. 1941 until 1976
- Tim Morris from 1976
References
52.3903°N -2.2425°W
Notes and References
- News: . St. George's Chapel, Kidderminster . Worcester Journal . England . 28 October 1824 . 30 October 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
- A History of Kidderminster, Nigel Gilbert, 2004, Phillimore, . p89 and p102
- News: . Disastrous fire at St. George's, Kidderminster . Evening Desptach . England . 20 November 1922 . 30 October 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
- News: . Preferments . Monmouthshire Beacon . Wales . 13 November 1847 . 31 October 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
- News: . Deaths . John Bull . England . 6 April 1872 . 31 October 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
- News: . Clerical Appointment . Wolverhampton Express and Star . England . 7 April 1876 . 31 October 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
- News: . The New Vicar of St George's . Kidderminster Times and Advertiser for Bewdley & Stourport . England . 28 October 1876 . 31 October 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
- News: . St George's Kidderminster . Birmingham Daily Post . England . 12 April 1915 . 31 October 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
- News: . To Leave Kidderminster . Birmingham Daily Gazette . England . 23 April 1932 . 31 October 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
- News: . Kidderminster Vicar . Birmingham Daily Gazette . England . 3 October 1932 . 31 October 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
- News: . Vicar's Move . Birmingham Daily Post . England . 24 July 1968 . 31 October 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
- News: . Vicar's Move . Birmingham Daily Post . England . 20 January 1969 . 31 October 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
- News: . Vicar moves to the Lickeys . Birmingham Mail . England . 13 September 1976 . 31 October 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
- News: . 5 January 2007 . Vicar to miss 'special' place after 20 years . Kidderminster Shuttle . 31 October 2022.
- Web site: The National Pipe Organ Register. Npor.org.uk. 30 October 2022.
- News: . Mr. C.S. Herve . Worcestershire Chronicle . England . 3 February 1836 . 30 October 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
- News: . Mr. Charles Baldwin . Worcester Journal . England . 4 May 1837 . 30 October 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
- News: . Death of Notable Organist at Kidderminster . Worcestershire Chronicle . England . 7 December 1895 . 30 October 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
- News: . Kidderminster . Worcestershire Chronicle . England . 4 January 1896 . 30 October 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
- News: . Organ Appointment . Dudley Herald . England . 9 June 1900 . 30 October 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .