St James the Great, Shirley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St James the Great, Shirley |
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St James the Great, Shirley
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| 52°24′22.25″N 1°49′35.41″W / 52.4061806°N 1.8265028°W | |
| Location | Shirley, West Midlands |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | [1] http://shirleyparishb90.co.uk |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Groundbreaking | 1831 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Shirley |
| Deanery | Shirley |
| Archdeaconry | Birmingham |
| Diocese | Anglican Diocese of Birmingham |
St James the Great, Shirley is a historic parish church located in the town of Shirley, England. As a part of the Church of England, it serves the local community.
The church is a Grade II listed building. This is a special status given to buildings in the UK that are considered historically and architecturally important. It means the building is protected by law to preserve its character for future generations.
History of the Church
The story of St James the Great begins in the 19th century. The church has grown and changed over time to serve the people of Shirley.
Construction and Growth
Construction on the church first started in 1831. As the town of Shirley grew, more space was needed for the congregation. Because of this, the church was made larger, or enlarged, in 1882.
A major milestone for the church came in 1893. In this year, Shirley was officially recognised as its own ecclesiastical parish. This meant that St James the Great became the main church for a specific area, responsible for the spiritual care of the people living there.
The Parish of Shirley
Today, St James the Great is part of a larger group of churches that work together. This is known as a joint parish. The other churches in this group are:
- St John the Divine, in Tidbury Green
- Christ the King, also in Shirley
By working together, these three churches can better serve the wider community in and around Shirley.
