St George in the Fields, Hockley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St George in the Fields, Hockley |
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St George in the Fields
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| 52°29′27.24″N 1°54′17.28″W / 52.4909000°N 1.9048000°W | |
| Location | Birmingham |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St George |
| Consecrated | 6 August 1822 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Thomas Rickman |
| Style | Decorated Gothic |
| Completed | 1819 |
| Construction cost | £12,735 |
| Demolished | 1961 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1,959 people |
St George in the Fields, Hockley was a Church of England church in Birmingham, England. It was built in 1822. Later, it was made bigger in the late 1800s. The church was taken down in 1961. Today, only the tomb of its architect, Thomas Rickman, remains on the site. This tomb is a special protected structure.
Contents
History of St George's Church
St George in the Fields was the very first of the "Commissioner's churches" in Birmingham. These churches were built with money from the government after the Napoleonic Wars. This was to thank God for the victory.
The church was designed by a famous architect named Thomas Rickman. He used a style called Decorated Gothic. This style is known for its fancy windows and detailed stone carvings. Benjamin Nowell and Sons built the church. It was officially opened and blessed on August 6, 1822. The Bishop of Chester led the special ceremony.
Changes and Growth
In 1830, a special area called a "parish" was created for the church. This area was taken from the parish of St Martin in the Bull Ring. A parish is like a local neighborhood that a church serves.
The church was made larger in 1883. This work cost £2,300. New parts were added, including a "chancel" and an "organ chamber." The chancel is the area near the altar where the choir sits. The organ chamber is a special room for the church's pipe organ. Bateman and Corser were the architects for this expansion.
In 1856, a part of St George's parish was used to create a new parish. This new parish was for St Matthias' Church, Farm Street, Birmingham.
Sadly, the church building was taken down in 1961.
Thomas Rickman's Tomb
The architect of the church, Thomas Rickman, was buried in the churchyard in 1841. His tomb is still there today. It is now a "listed structure," which means it's a building or monument of special historical interest that is protected by law.
Church Organ Details
The church had a large pipe organ. It was first made by a company called Elliott. Later, it was changed by Bishop & Banfield. In 1883, when the church was made bigger, the organ was rebuilt. It was placed in the new organ chamber by Nicholson and Ward of Walsall. You can find detailed information about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register website.
Images for kids
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St George in the Fields
