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 was a special church in Birmingham, England. It was part of the Church of England. The church was a place for people to worship and gather.
History of St Jude's Church
The area around St Jude's became its own church district in August 1846. This new district was created from parts of two other church areas: St Martin in the Bull Ring and St Philip's.
Building the Church
Work on the church building began in 1850. It was located on Hill Street. On August 14, 1850, Henry Pepys, who was the Bishop of Worcester, laid the first stone. This is called the foundation stone. The church was officially opened and blessed on July 26, 1851.
The church was built using bricks. It was designed in a style called "Early English." The architects were Orford and Nash. The building had a main area for people to sit (the nave), side sections (aisles), and a special area near the altar (the chancel).
Community and Changes
In 1861, St Jude's Church opened its own schools. These schools were also on Hill Street. They helped educate children in the area.
The church building was repaired and improved in 1879. This is called a restoration project.
Over time, fewer people lived in the city centre. This meant fewer people came to the church. Because of this, St Jude's Church eventually closed down. It was taken down, or demolished, in 1971. Today, the place where the church stood on Hill Street is home to the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre. This new building was put up in 1975.
The Church Organ
St Jude's Church had a large musical instrument called a pipe organ. It was made by Edward James Bossward in 1867. The organ was first played on May 19, 1867. It had 13 different sounds, called stops.
A man named Lawrence Briggs was the organist for more than 40 years. He played the organ until the church closed in 1971. Lawrence Briggs was the grandfather of a famous organist and composer named David Briggs.
When the church closed, the organ was moved. It went to Clayesmore School in Dorset. Later, in 2013, it was moved again to St Michael and All Angels Church, Exeter.
