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St Benedict's Church, Bordesley
St Benedicts Bordesley.jpg
The east end of St Benedict's church, seen from the north
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Location Birmingham
Country England
Denomination Church of England
History
Dedication St Benedict of Nursia
Architecture
Heritage designation Grade II listed
Designated 8 July 1982
Architect(s) Nicol and Nicol
Style Byzantine Revival
Completed 1909
Specifications
Materials red brick with sandstone dressings
Administration
Deanery Yardley and Bordesley
Archdeaconry Aston
Diocese Birmingham
Province Canterbury

St Benedict's Church, Bordesley is a special church in Birmingham, England. It is located in Bordesley, about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) east of the city centre. This church was built in the early 1900s.

It is designed in a style called Byzantine Revival. This means it looks like churches from the ancient Byzantine Empire. The church is also a Grade II listed building. This means it is an important historical building that needs to be protected.

History of the Church

Before this church was built, there was a temporary church in the area. It was set up in 1898 by St Oswald's Church, Small Heath. This first church was made of iron.

The current church was designed by architects Nicol and Nicol from Birmingham. It was built in 1909 and officially opened on April 30, 1910. The church is made of red brick with special red sandstone details.

What the Church Looks Like

Inside, the main part of the church is called the nave. On each side of the nave are long hallways called aisles. These aisles are separated from the nave by five large arches. These arches have rounded tops and rest on strong sandstone pillars.

At the front of the north aisle, there is a special entrance porch. Above its door, you can see a statue of St Benedict of Nursia. The church is named after him.

At the back of the church, there is a rounded area called an apse. Inside this apse, there is a beautiful painting. It shows Christ in Majesty, surrounded by angels and saints. This painting was created by an artist named Henry Holiday between 1912 and 1919.

The church was officially made a Grade II listed building in July 1982. This helps to make sure it is kept safe for the future.

The Church Organ

St Benedict's Church has a musical organ located in the north aisle. This organ was built by CH Windridge of Birmingham. It is actually older than the church itself, having been made in 1894–95.

Around 1920, the organ was updated by a company called Conacher from Sheffield. It has three keyboards, called manuals, and a set of foot pedals. It also has 22 different sounds, known as stops.

The Vicarage

St Benedicts Vicarage Birmingham - Andy Mabbett - 2016-12-02 - 06
St Benedict's Vicarage, next to the church

Next to St Benedict's Church, there is a house called the vicarage. This is where the church's vicar or priest lives. Like the church, the vicarage was also designed by Nicol and Nicol.

It was built a little later than the church, between 1911 and 1912. In 1997, English Heritage also made the vicarage a Grade II listed building. This means it is also an important historical building.

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