St David's Church, Shenley Green facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St David's Church, Shenley Green |
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St David's Church, Shenley Green
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| 52°25′34″N 1°58′25″W / 52.4260°N 1.9735°W | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| Website | stdavidsshenleygreen.com |
| History | |
| Dedication | St David |
| Consecrated | 9 May 1970 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Selby Clewer |
| Groundbreaking | 1 March 1969 |
| Construction cost | £55,000 (equivalent to £612,900 in 2021) |
| Specifications | |
| Bells | 1 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Shenley Green |
| Deanery | King's Norton |
| Archdeaconry | Birmingham |
| Diocese | Birmingham |
| Province | Canterbury |
St David's Church, Shenley Green is a special parish church in Shenley Green, Birmingham, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This church is named after St David, who is the patron saint of Wales. It's a place where people come together for worship and community events.
Contents
History of St David's Church
Before the main church building was finished, people in Shenley Green held their services in the church hall. This hall opened its doors in 1962. Building the new church was a big project that started in 1969.
How Stones Traveled 200 Miles
In February 1969, something amazing happened! Twelve Scouts from Birmingham went on an incredible journey. They hauled three special stones all the way from St David’s Cathedral in Pembrokeshire, Wales. This was a very long trip, about 200 miles! The scouts worked in teams of four, pulling a hand-pulled cart. It took them 56 hours to complete this challenging journey. These stones were very important because they were used as foundation and consecration stones in the new church.
Building and Opening the Church
The church building itself was constructed between 1969 and 1970. It was officially opened and blessed on May 9, 1970. The blessing was done by Laurie Brown, who was the Bishop of Birmingham at that time. The church was designed by architects from the Bournville Village Trust, led by Selby Clewer. A part of the area that the church serves, called its parish, was created from the nearby St Gabriel's Church, Weoley Castle parish.
The Vicarage Building
Next to the church, a house for the vicar (the church's priest) was built in 1969. This house, called the vicarage, cost about £11,585 to build.
Church Architecture and Design
St David's Church has a very noticeable design. A large "lantern tower" stands tall, letting light into the church. This tower also acts as a landmark, helping people find the church from a distance.
The Unique Roof
The church originally had a distinctive green copper roof. However, between 2011 and 2012, this roof had to be replaced. Thieves had stolen parts of the copper sheeting. So, a new, more secure roof made of stainless steel was installed.
Special Stones from Wales
As mentioned earlier, the consecration stone and dedication stones inside the church have a special story. They were brought all the way from St David's Cathedral in Wales by local scouts using a handcart. These stones are a reminder of the church's connection to its namesake saint.
The Church Organ
St David's Church is home to a pipe organ. This musical instrument was built in 1970 by a company called Bowen from Northampton. Later, in 1999, the organ was made even bigger by Trevor Tipple of Worcester. You can find more detailed information about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.
Past Vicars of St David's Church
A vicar is the main priest who leads the church. Here is a list of the people who have served as vicars at St David's Church:
- David Pendleton, from 1959 to 1989
- Chris Jackson, from 1989 to 2001
- Nick Evans, from 2002 to 2015
- Mark Bennett, from 2016 to 2020
Images for kids
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A memorial inside the church for David Pendleton, a former vicar.
