St Gabriel's Church, Weoley Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Gabriel's Church, Weoley Castle |
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St Gabriel's Church, Weoley Castle
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| 52°26′07″N 01°58′33″W / 52.43528°N 1.97583°W | |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Anglo Catholic |
| Website | stgabrielsweoleycastle.com |
| History | |
| Dedication | St. Gabriel |
| Consecrated | 30 June 1934 |
| Architecture | |
| Groundbreaking | 10 December 1933 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Weoley Castle |
| Benefice | Weoley Castle |
| Deanery | Edgbaston |
| Diocese | Birmingham |
| Province | Canterbury |
St. Gabriel's Church, Weoley Castle is a parish church in the Church of England. It is located in the area of Weoley Castle in Birmingham, England. This church is a local place of worship and a key part of the community.
Contents
History of St. Gabriel's Church
How the Church Began
The building of St. Gabriel's Church started in 1933. On December 10, 1933, Neville Chamberlain laid the first stone. He was an important government official at the time, serving as the Chancellor of the Exchequer. This means he was in charge of the country's money.
The church was officially opened and dedicated on June 30, 1934. This ceremony was led by E. W. Barnes, who was the Bishop of Birmingham. To "consecrate" a church means to make it sacred or holy for religious use.
Who Designed the Church?
The church was designed by an architect named Edwin Francis Reynolds. His original plans for the church were quite grand. They included a "chancel" (the area around the altar), "transepts" (parts of the church that cross the main body, making a T-shape), and a tall tower. However, these parts were never fully built.
The Church's Early Days
The land for the church was generously given by James Goddington Ledsam. Before it was named St. Gabriel's, there was a thought to call it St. Michael and All Angels, Northfield. But to avoid confusion with another church nearby, St. Michael and All Angels' Church, Bartley Green, it was named St. Gabriel.
The church's area, known as its "parish," was created from parts of two other churches' parishes. These were St. Laurence's Church, Northfield and St. Mary's Church, Selly Oak. Later, a small part of St. Gabriel's parish was moved to St. David's Church, Shenley Green.
The Calvary Sculpture
In 1948, a special sculpture called a "calvary" was moved to St. Gabriel's. A calvary is a statue or group of statues showing Jesus on the cross. This particular calvary came from St John's Church, Deritend. It was a memorial from that church to remember those who died in the First World War.
The Church Organ
St. Gabriel's Church has a very old and special organ. It was built in 1777 by a famous organ maker named John Snetzler. This organ has moved a few times!
- First, it was located in St. James' Church, Wednesbury.
- Then, it moved to St. Andrew's Church, West Bromwich.
- Finally, in 1940, it was brought to its current home at St. Gabriel's Church.
You can find more detailed information about this historic organ on the National Pipe Organ Register website.
