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 in Weoley Castle, Birmingham, is a parish church that belongs to the Church of England. It serves as a place of worship and community for the people living in the Weoley Castle area.
Contents
History of St. Gabriel's Church
The building of St. Gabriel's Church began with a special event. On December 10, 1933, Neville Chamberlain laid the first stone. At that time, he was a very important government minister in charge of the country's money.
The church was officially opened and dedicated for religious use on June 30, 1934. This ceremony was led by E. W. Barnes, who was the Bishop of Birmingham.
Architectural Design and Plans
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 that stick out from the sides), and a tall tower. However, these parts of the design have not been built yet.
How the Parish Was Formed
The area that St. Gabriel's Church serves, called its parish, was created in 1933. It was formed from parts of the areas covered by two other churches: St. Laurence's Church, Northfield and St. Mary's Church, Selly Oak.
The land for the church was a gift from a person named James Goddington Ledsam. The church was first going to be called St. Michael and All Angels, Northfield. But it was named St. Gabriel, Weoley Castle, when it was opened. This was probably to avoid confusion with another church nearby, St. Michael and All Angels' Church, Bartley Green.
Special Memorial at the Church
In 1948, a special sculpture called a calvary was brought to St. Gabriel's. A calvary is a statue or group of statues showing Jesus on the cross. This one was sent by Ernest William Barnes, who was the Bishop of Birmingham. It came from St John's Church, Deritend and was a memorial for the soldiers who died in the First World War.
Later, a part of St. Gabriel's parish was moved to be part of St. David's Church, Shenley Green.
The Historic Organ
St. Gabriel's Church is home to a very old and special musical instrument: a pipe organ. This organ was built in 1777 by a craftsman named John Snetzler.
The organ has moved a few times in its long history. It was first located in St. James' Church, Wednesbury. Then, it moved to St. Andrew's Church, West Bromwich. Finally, in 1940, this historic organ found its current home at St. Gabriel's Church. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register website.
