St Gregory the Great's Church, Small Heath explained

St Gregory the Great’s Church, Small Heath
Coordinates:52.4659°N -1.8464°W
Location:Small Heath, Birmingham
Country:England
Denomination:Pentecostal
Previous Denomination:Church of England
Dedication:St Gregory the Great
Consecrated Date:13 May 1916
Heritage Designation:Grade II listed
Architect:J.L. Ball
Groundbreaking:22 April 1902
Completed Date:1928

St Gregory the Great's Church, Small Heath is a Grade II listed former Church of England parish church in Birmingham[1] now used by the Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic.

History

The church originated as an iron mission church known as the Good Shepherd from All Saints' Church, Small Heath (I) in 1900. The foundation stone was laid on 22 April 1902 by Lord Leigh, Provincial Grand Master[2] and built to the designs of the architect J.L. Ball by the contractor John Barnsley and Son. The apse and three bays of the nave were constructed in 1911 - 1912 and the church was dedicated to St Gregory the Great in 1912, and consecrated on 13 May 1916 by the Bishop of Birmingham.[3]

A parish was assigned out of All Saints' Church, Small Heath (I) and St Oswald's Church, Small Heath in 1924. The construction of the west end of the church was completed in 1926 - 1928, under the supervision of Holland W. Hobbiss.

After being declared redundant by the Church of England the building is now used by the Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic.

Organ

The church contained an organ by William Hill dating from 1846. It was moved here from St Peter's Church, Handsworth around 1976. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register. When the church was closed by the Church of England the organ was removed and was destined for St Mary the Virgin's Church, Little Houghton, Northamptonshire.

Notes and References

  1. The Buildings of England. Warwickshire. Nikolaus Pevsner. Penguin Books. p. 205
  2. News: . A Masonic Ceremony . Leamington Spa Courier . Leamington Spa . 25 April 1902 . 18 March 2015 .
  3. News: . new Church at Small Heath. Consecration Service by Bishop of Birmingham . Birmingham Daily Mail . Birmingham . 13 May 1916 . 18 March 2015 .