St Jude's Church, Birmingham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Jude’s Church, Birmingham |
|
|---|---|
| 52°28′34.1″N 1°53′58.2″W / 52.476139°N 1.899500°W | |
| Location | Birmingham |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Consecrated | 1851 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Charles W Orford |
| Groundbreaking | 1847 |
| Completed | 1851 |
| Demolished | 1971 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1300 |
St Jude's Church in Birmingham, England, was once a special parish church that belonged to the Church of England. It served the local community for many years.
Contents
History of St Jude's Church
How the Parish Started
The area served by St Jude's, called a parish, was created in August 1846. It was made from parts of two other church areas: St Martin in the Bull Ring and St Philip's.
Building the Church
Construction of the church began on Hill Street in 1850. Henry Pepys, who was the Bishop of Worcester, laid the first stone on August 14, 1850. The church was officially opened and blessed by him on July 26, 1851.
The building was made of brick and designed in a style called Early English. This style often features tall, narrow windows and pointed arches. The architects who designed it were Orford and Nash. The church had a chancel (the area around the altar), a nave (the main part where people sit), and aisles (passageways on the sides).
St Jude's Schools
In 1861, the church opened St Jude's Schools. These schools were also located on Hill Street, close to the church.
Later Years and Closure
The church building was repaired and improved in 1879. In 1905, a religious group called the Society of the Precious Blood began when Mother Millicent Mary took her vows in the church.
Over time, fewer people lived in the city centre of Birmingham. This meant that fewer people attended St Jude's Church. Because of the declining attendance, the church eventually closed its doors. It was later taken down in 1971. Today, the place where the church once stood on Hill Street is now home to the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre, which was built in 1975.
The Church Organ
St Jude's Church had a special musical instrument called a pipe organ. It was built by Edward James Bossward in 1867 and was first played on May 19, 1867. This organ had 13 "stops," which are controls that change the sound of the pipes. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.
For more than 40 years, until the church closed in 1971, the organist was Lawrence Briggs. He was the grandfather of a famous organist and composer named David Briggs. When the church closed, the organ was moved to Clayesmore School in Dorset. Later, in 2013, it was moved again to St Michael and All Angels Church, Exeter.
