St George's Church, Edgbaston facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St George's Church, Edgbaston
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Liberal Catholic
Website	www.stgeorgesedgbaston.org.uk
History
Dedication	St. George
Administration
Parish	Edgbaston
Diocese	Birmingham
Province	Canterbury

St George's Church in Edgbaston, Birmingham, is a beautiful old church. It is part of the Church of England. This church has been an important place for the community for a long time. It is located in Edgbaston, a part of Birmingham.

History of St George's Church

The church was built between 1836 and 1838. It started as a smaller church, called a "chapel-of-ease." This means it was a smaller church that helped a bigger main church, which was St. Bartholomew's Church, Edgbaston.

The first building was designed by an architect named Joseph John Scoles. It had a main hall (nave) and two side areas (aisles) with upper seating sections (galleries).

In 1856, the church became bigger. An architect named Charles Edge added a chancel. The chancel is the part of the church near the altar where the choir sits.

The church changed a lot again in 1884 and 1885. A famous Birmingham architect, J. A. Chatwin, made the main hall much larger and taller. The old main hall became the north side aisle. The old chancel became a special area called the Lady Chapel.

On January 21, 1970, St George's Church was given a special status. It became a Grade II listed building. This means it is an important historical building that needs to be protected.

Inside the Church: Fittings and Woodwork

The inside of St George's Church has amazing wooden decorations. These were made by a company called Bridgeman of Lichfield. They followed designs by J. A. Chatwin or P. B. Chatwin.

Some of these beautiful wooden pieces include:

• Seats for the clergy (church leaders) and choir, and a screen (parclose screen) that separates parts of the church (1885).
• The case for the organ (1890).
• A decorative screen behind the altar (reredos) (1903).
• A screen for the Lady Chapel (1906).

Colorful Stained Glass Windows

The church has many colorful stained glass windows from the late Victorian era. These windows were made by famous artists like Burlison and Grylls, Heaton, Butler and Bayne, and Hardman & Co. of Birmingham.

One of the most special windows is in the Lady Chapel. It is a "Jesse tree" window made by Charles Eamer Kempe. This type of window shows the family tree of Jesus.

The Church Organ

The church used to have a large organ. It was built by Brindley & Foster in 1890. Sadly, the organ is now very old and does not work anymore. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register website.

Many talented people have played the organ at St George's Church over the years. The current organist is Philip Ypres Smith, who has been playing since 2003.

See also

In Spanish: Iglesia de San Jorge (Edgbaston) para niños