St Mary and St Margaret's Church, Castle Bromwich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary and St Margaret's Church, Castle Bromwich |
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St Mary and St Margaret's Church, Castle Bromwich
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| 52°30′23.2″N 1°47′29.2″W / 52.506444°N 1.791444°W | |
| OS grid reference | SP 14247 89859 |
| Location | Castle Bromwich, Metropolitan Borough of Solihull |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Mary and St Margaret |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Specifications | |
| Bells | 6 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Mary and St Margaret Castle Bromwich |
| Deanery | Coleshill |
| Archdeaconry | Aston |
| Diocese | Anglican Diocese of Birmingham |
The Church of St Mary and St Margaret is a historic church located in Castle Bromwich, England. It is a Grade I listed building, which means it is considered a very important historical site. This church is part of the Church of England.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's History
From Wood to Stone: Early Beginnings
Before the year 1175, there was a small wooden chapel on this spot. It was likely built for a local family called de Bromwich. In the 12th century, this wooden chapel was rebuilt using stone. Later, in the 15th century, a large timber structure and a wooden tower were added.
A Church Within a Church: Georgian Changes
Between 1726 and 1731, Sir John Bridgeman II made big changes to the church. He wanted it to look like the English Renaissance style. First, a new brick tower was built in 1725, a little distance from the old church.
The church was then rebuilt using bricks made from local clay. It is believed that the architect was Thomas White from Worcester. The old timber church was covered with new brick and plaster.
What makes this church special is that it's like a "church within a church." The original Norman and medieval timber structure is still inside the Georgian brick building. Huge oak timbers still support the roof, hidden above a flat ceiling. The round plastered pillars inside cover solid oak timbers that are 23 feet tall!
Until 1878, the church was a chapel connected to Castle Bromwich Hall. It was part of a much larger area called Aston Parish. After 1878, it became the main Church of England parish church for Castle Bromwich. The beautiful Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens are next to the Hall. Double iron gates in the North Garden lead right to the church grounds.
Castle Bromwich used to be one large church area. But in 1967, it was divided into two when St Clement's Church was built in the eastern part of the village.
What You Can See: Church Features
The Tower and Bells
The church is a Grade I listed building, meaning it's very important historically. The brick tower has a clock face. Inside the tower are six bells that can be rung. Before 1947, weather vanes sat on top of stone urns at the tower's corners. After the bells were remade in 1952, these were replaced with four old bell clappers.
Inside the Church: Pews, Pulpit, and Windows
Inside, the church has two smaller chapels, one of which is called the Lady Chapel. There are traditional wooden pews for people to sit. The special box pews at the front were once reserved for the Bridgeman family.
You can also see a stone tablet from 1752 that honors Sir John Bridgeman. There is also a window dedicated to the Countess of Bradford, who passed away in 1842. The church has a rare three-tiered pulpit with a sounding board above it. This pulpit has a high place for the preacher, a desk for reading, and a seat for the clerk.
In 1966, the bluish Victorian glass in the windows was replaced with clear glass. This was done to let in more light. A small amount of the old glass still remains in the tower.
A room called the Foden Room was built on the south side of the church for extra space. This room was taken down in 2012 and replaced with a much larger community hall. Some box pews were removed in 1980 to create more space in the Lady Chapel.
Church Organ
The church has an organ. You can find details about it on the National Pipe Organ Register.
Church Groups and Activities
Many groups and activities use the church. These include the Choir, Bellringers, Mothers Union, Wayfarers (which is like a Sunday School), a Youth Group, a Prayer Group, and a Bible Study Group.
