Knowle Parish Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Knowle Parish Church |
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Knowle Parish Church
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| Location | Knowle, West Midlands |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | kpc.org.uk |
| History | |
| Dedication | St John the Baptist, St Lawrence and St Anne |
| Consecrated | 24 February 1403 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Knowle |
| Deanery | Solihull |
| Archdeaconry | Aston |
| Diocese | Birmingham |
Knowle Parish Church is a very old and important church in Knowle, West Midlands, England. It is a Grade I listed building, which means it is one of the most important historic buildings in the country. It belongs to the Church of England.
History of Knowle Parish Church
This church was built a long, long time ago, in the 15th century. It is believed to have been officially opened on February 24, 1403. For many years, from 1403 to 1858, it was like a "daughter church" to a bigger church in Hampton. This means it was connected to and possibly managed by the Hampton church.
In 1416, a special "college" was started at the church. This wasn't a school like we think of today. Instead, it was a group of priests who lived and worked together at the church. This college lasted until 1547.
The church is known for its high chancel. The chancel is the part of the church near the altar where the choir and clergy sit. It also has a special underground passage from the north to the south side.
Restorations and Changes
The church has been repaired and updated several times over the years. A big restoration happened in 1860.
In 1900, there was another important restoration that cost about £1,000. During this work, a new room was built for the organ. New rooms were also added for the clergy (church leaders) and the choir. This work was overseen by an architect named J.A. Chatwin.
As part of these changes, the organ and choir moved from the north side of the church to the north side of the chancel. The north chapel, which is a smaller area for worship, was opened up to the main church. Also, the old wooden seats, called stalls, were moved from the end of the south aisle to the choir area.
The Church Organ
The organ in Knowle Parish Church was built by Walter James Bird. If you are interested in learning more about this organ, you can find details about it on the National Pipe Organ Register. This register keeps records of many church organs.
Church Bells
The church has a set of eight bells. Three of these bells were made in 1931. The other five bells were remade in 1979. All of the bells were made by a company called John Taylor of Loughborough, which is famous for making church bells.
