Church of the Ascension, Stirchley (II) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of the Ascension, Stirchley |
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|---|---|
| 52°26′4.5″N 1°54′26.1″W / 52.434583°N 1.907250°W | |
| Location | Stirchley |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Modern Catholic |
| Website | ascensionstirchley.com |
| History | |
| Dedication | The Ascension |
| Consecrated | 14 July 1973 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Romilly Craze |
| Completed | 1973 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | The Ascension Stirchley |
| Deanery | Moseley |
| Archdeaconry | Birmingham |
| Diocese | Anglican Diocese of Birmingham |
The Church of the Ascension, Stirchley is a special church located in Stirchley, a part of Birmingham, England. It is a parish church, which means it serves the local community. This church belongs to the Church of England.
Contents
A New Beginning: The Church's History
The story of the Church of the Ascension is quite interesting. The original church building was sadly destroyed by a fire on October 29, 1965. After the fire, the old building had to be taken down.
Building the New Church
A brand new church was then designed by an architect named Romilly Craze. This new building was constructed right next to an older, smaller church called St. Hugh's. St. Hugh's used to be a "mission church," which is like a smaller church that helps a main church.
The new Church of the Ascension was officially opened and blessed on July 14, 1973. This special ceremony was led by the Bishop of Birmingham. After the new church was built, St. Hugh's church became the church hall, a place for community events and gatherings.
Special Items from the Old Church
Even though the old church was destroyed, some important and beautiful items were saved from the fire. These items were then used in the new church. They include:
- Beautiful stained glass windows
- The Stations of the Cross, which are pictures or sculptures showing events from Jesus's last day
- Silver items used for the altar (the table where services are held)
- Processional crosses, which are crosses carried in parades or processions
- Special clothes worn by the clergy, called vestments
Art and Design in the Church
The new church also features some amazing artwork.
- A large statue of the Risen Christ was placed on the front of the church. This statue was designed by John Bridgeman, a sculptor from Leamington Spa. It was made from a strong material called fiberglass.
- Inside, there is a unique window showing the ascending Christ. This window was designed by John Lawson and is made from pieces of colored glass set in concrete.
- A crucifix, which is a cross with a figure of Jesus on it, was designed by another artist named John Skelton.
These artistic pieces add to the beauty and meaning of the Church of the Ascension, making it a special place for its community.
