Bishop Ryder Church, Birmingham facts for kids

The Bishop Ryder Memorial Church was a church in Birmingham, England. It belonged to the Church of England. The church served its community from 1838 until 1960.

History of the Church

This church was built on Gem Street in Gosta Green, Birmingham. It was designed by Thomas Rickman and Richard Charles Hussey. They created it in the Gothic style, using red brick and stone.

The church was built to remember Henry Ryder, who was a Bishop of Lichfield. It was officially opened and blessed in 1838. In 1841, a special area called a parish was created for the church. This area was taken from the larger St Martin in the Bull Ring parish.

In 1894, a part of the church called the chancel was rebuilt. This work was paid for by J.C. Holder to honor his father. Later, in 1925, the Bishop Ryder parish joined with St Mary's Church, Whittall Street, Birmingham. In 1939, it also joined with part of St Bartholomew’s Church, Birmingham.

The church building was taken down in 1960. The street it was on, Gem Street, no longer exists either. Today, the area where the church once stood is part of the Aston University campus.

Church Bells

When the church was first opened in 1838, it had one bell. This bell was made by William Taylor of Oxford. In 1869, a company called Blews and Son added a set of eight bells. These bells cost £600.

Later, these bells were remade by John Taylor & Co in Loughborough. When the church closed, these bells were moved. They found a new home at St Peter's Church, Harborne.

The Church Organ

The first organ in the church was a musical instrument. It was built by Theodore Charles Bates of London. This organ cost £270 and was first played on December 7, 1841.

In 1882, a new organ replaced the old one. This new organ was made by J.C. Banfield. It was opened on November 25 and cost £350. The organ was later fixed up in 1939 by Walter James Bird. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.