St Nicolas' Church, Kings Norton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Parish Church of St Nicolas, Kings Norton |
|
|---|---|
St Nicolas' Church
|
|
| 52°24′31″N 1°55′44″W / 52.40862°N 1.92892°W | |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Nicholas |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Kings Norton |
| Diocese | Birmingham |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Nicolas' Church in Kings Norton is a historic church in the West Midlands, England. It is part of the Church of England and serves the local community of Kings Norton. This beautiful building has stood for many centuries, witnessing lots of history.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's History
A church has been on this spot since the 11th century. Back then, the Normans built a small, rectangular chapel. We know for sure that a church was here by 1213, as old documents mention it.
How the Church Changed Over Time
The church you see today, St Nicolas's, started to take shape in the early 13th century. The tall spire, which is a key part of its look, was added later between 1446 and 1475.
In the 14th century, the original Norman building was taken down. A new main part of the church, called the nave, was built. Also, the side sections, known as aisles, and the arch leading to the altar area (chancel arch) were constructed.
Later, in the 17th century, parts of the church were rebuilt again. The south aisle was almost completely redone. The roof over the chancel was replaced, and the main roof over the nave was made much steeper. The north and south aisles also got new, separate roofs. In 1846, the church officially became a parish church, serving a specific local area.
Restorations and Special Status
The church has been carefully repaired and updated several times. Important restoration work happened in 1863, led by Ewan Christian, and again in 1871 by W. J. Hopkins. Because of its age and importance, St Nicolas' Church is a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered a very special historic building that needs to be protected.
Connection to a Famous Author
In 1898, St Nicolas' Church helped start a new church in Cotteridge, which later became St Agnes' Church, Cotteridge.
A very famous person once worked here! The Reverend W. V. Awdry, who wrote The Railway Series books, including Thomas the Tank Engine, was a curate (a type of priest) at St Nicolas' from 1940 to 1946. The church is right next to the historic Saracen's Head building, which is now called Saint Nicolas Place. On October 11, 2021, a special plaque with an engraving of Thomas the Tank Engine was placed inside the church.
The Churchyard: A Place of Rest
The churchyard is the area around the church where people are buried. It has been made larger over time. This peaceful space contains war graves for soldiers who died in both World War I (eleven people) and World War II (seven people).
The Bells of St Nicolas'
The church has a set of ten bells. The heaviest bell weighs about 17 long tons (a very large weight!). To reach the ringing chamber where the bells are rung, you need to climb 54 wooden steps.
If you're interested in hearing or learning about the bells, ringing practice happens every Tuesday evening from 7:45 PM to 9:00 PM. On Sundays, the bells are rung for the service from 9:50 AM to 10:30 AM. There's even a poem called "The New Bell Wake" written about these bells!
The Church Organ
The organ inside St Nicolas' Church is a very old and complex musical instrument. Parts of it date back to 1857 and were made by J. Halmshaw. Since then, it has been made bigger and repaired several times to keep it working beautifully. You can find detailed information about the organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.
See also
- Listed buildings in Birmingham
Other Medieval Churches in Birmingham
