St Giles Church Sheldon

[mbenne]

St Giles Church, Sheldon

A 14th Century sandstone structure, the oldest part being the Chancel Arch which dates from the end of the 12th century. Further additions made in 1876. Stained glass by Ward & Hughes of London dates from the 19th-century restoration but also contains a 1937 window design by Florence Camm who's family's glass business was in Smethwick (T W Camm & Co). She studied at Birmingham School of Art.

Thomas Bray was the Rector 1690-1730. Established a school in Sheldon. Emigrated to America where he helped establish the Church of England in Maryland.

Masons Inscription in the tower was written in Middle English and reads...........

In [the] yr of our lord MCCCC I Xi [1461] ye
stepel a be gon. ye masson
had two and forti pond [42 pounds] vis [6 shillings] and
viiid [8 pence] for makyng of the stpel.

The last picture shows the above inscription.

Inside this is a wonderful time capsule, unaffected by the changes that have ravaged the surrounding area, sited opposite Sheldon Country park. Have read somewhere that the stained glass windows were regarded as 'unremarkable' but I disagree. Brings back memories of Church Parade with 298th 'A' scout group in the old green hut next door. The hut had no running water and our only supply was taken from a tap sited at the rear of Old Rectory Farm opposite.

Ps I would have posted this under 'Churhes' but didn't find a suitable thread - please feel free to move it if its in the wrong place

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks for posting. Lovely church mbenne. The stained glass and the roof is beautiful. Viv.

 

[Radiorails]

It looks like restoration has taken place, likely mid Victorian, (can't see much damp ) and whilst the windows look fine they are not outstanding, being Victorian for the most part. I wonder what the Camm window looks like because many modern ecclesiatical windows, done by recent artists, are quite remarkable. The reredos looks most interesting, I suspect it is original from the times when it was a Catholic church?
The church has a lovely warm look whilst maintaining a light airy appearance, the pews could be late 18th or early 19th. century but not easy to tell from a photo.

 

[Astoness]

it is a lovely church....i was in there a couple of years back while bell ringing was going on..friends of mine have a lot to do with the church

lyn

 

[Pedrocut]

Link to description from the British Listed Buildings site...

https://www.britishlistedbuildings....-church-of-st-giles-sheldon-ward#.WlvMjFSFgW8

I September 1948 there was a service to commemorate 250 years since the founding of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. After the service the Company visited the nearby Rectory which was built in 1696. I wonder what condition its in now?

 

[OldBrummie]

St Giles Church, Sheldon

A 14th Century sandstone structure, the oldest part being the Chancel Arch which dates from the end of the 12th century. Further additions made in 1876. Stained glass by Ward & Hughes of London dates from the 19th-century restoration but also contains a 1937 window design by Florence Camm who's family's glass business was in Smethwick (T W Camm & Co). She studied at Birmingham School of Art.

Thomas Bray was the Rector 1690-1730. Established a school in Sheldon. Emigrated to America where he helped establish the Church of England in Maryland.

Masons Inscription in the tower was written in Middle English and reads...........

In [the] yr of our lord MCCCC I Xi [1461] ye
stepel a be gon. ye masson
had two and forti pond [42 pounds] vis [6 shillings] and
viiid [8 pence] for makyng of the stpel.

The last picture shows the above inscription.

Inside this is a wonderful time capsule, unaffected by the changes that have ravaged the surrounding area, sited opposite Sheldon Country park. Have read somewhere that the stained glass windows were regarded as 'unremarkable' but I disagree. Brings back memories of Church Parade with 298th 'A' scout group in the old green hut next door. The hut had no running water and our only supply was taken from a tap sited at the rear of Old Rectory Farm opposite.

Ps I would have posted this under 'Churhes' but didn't find a suitable thread - please feel free to move it if its in the wrong place

 

[OldBrummie]

Don't know the church well but I can claim a connection. My parents were married there 7th August 1937. The Rector at the time was Alfred William Waugh. The marriage was recorded as "Entry No 417 in the Register Book of Marriages of the said Church". I also attended services there as a member of the 298th Birmingham Scout Group.
Old Brummie.

 

[Elmdon Boy]

I remember going to the scout hut by the side of the church in I think 1958 and joining the cubs.
I remember our troop joining a parade of cubs and scout marching from the corner of Cranes Park Rd and Church Rd to a fete in a field off Horseshoes Lane. There was the usual stalls in the field plus a model railway with a permanent track in it. You could have rides on the steam train.
That winter coming back from the cubs I was pulling a sledge with my mate on it on the corner of Church Rd and Common Lane by the shops and I slipped ending up smack on my face, blood everywhere. Result broken front tooth. Had it capped in the 70s. Still see it now.
My Mom and Dad bought me my uniform eventually from the scout shop at bottom of Corporation St near the Law Courts. A couple of weeks later I stopped going. Mum and Dad not to pleased.

 

[OldBrummie]

A tad off the main topic but mbenne and Elmdon Boy we have a connection through the 298th. From memory my time there was in the Scout Group most likely between 1956 and 1958 and Mom was Akela.
OldBrummie

 

[robert]

Myself and my brother and sister and my 3 daughters were all married at st Giles. The church had a reovation in the 70s i believe.

 

[Astoness]

how nice to have kept st giles in the family rob

lyn

 

[mbenne]

A tad off the main topic but mbenne and Elmdon Boy we have a connection through the 298th. From memory my time there was in the Scout Group most likely between 1956 and 1958 and Mom was Akela.
OldBrummie

Just writing something up on 298th - will post later....
see
Scouts Girl Guides Brownies

 

[mbenne]

Myself and my brother and sister and my 3 daughters were all married at st Giles. The church had a reovation in the 70s i believe.

Also married here, and myself and our eldest son were christened here to

 

[mbenne]

Link to description from the British Listed Buildings site...

https://www.britishlistedbuildings....-church-of-st-giles-sheldon-ward#.WlvMjFSFgW8

I September 1948 there was a service to commemorate 250 years since the founding of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. After the service the Company visited the nearby Rectory which was built in 1696. I wonder what condition its in now?

I think this relates to Old Rectory Farm, referred to as the Rectory ,is still there and serves as the tea room for the country park. There was also a Sheldon rectory (which i've seen referenced on this site) and this was demolished in the 30's for housing development.

 

[mbenne]

It looks like restoration has taken place, likely mid Victorian, (can't see much damp ) and whilst the windows look fine they are not outstanding, being Victorian for the most part. I wonder what the Camm window looks like because many modern ecclesiatical windows, done by recent artists, are quite remarkable. The reredos looks most interesting, I suspect it is original from the times when it was a Catholic church?
The church has a lovely warm look whilst maintaining a light airy appearance, the pews could be late 18th or early 19th. century but not easy to tell from a photo.

The 15th c rederos was damaged in the reformation and moved to the North aisle during renovations. The rederos in the picture is from 1912 - closer view

 

[Spargone]

I remember our troop joining a parade of cubs and scout marching from the corner of Cranes Park Rd and Church Rd to a fete in a field off Horseshoes Lane. There was the usual stalls in the field plus a model railway with a permanent track in it. You could have rides on the steam train.

The field was at Campbells Green [https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/sheldon.22415/post-635902]

 

[Spargone]

The Rev. Douglas Strickland multi-tasking! Church/Scout fairs on Saturdays at the church hall were asked to be mindful of weddings taking place in the adjacent church. This couple must have decided it was easier to join in than compete!

 

[badpenny]

There was supposed to be a rare round window which was boarded up to prevent it being damaged
during the time of the dissolution.

 

[Spargone]

The Rev. John March, curate at the time, thought that the various features of the church were worth highlighting so he created a son et lumière event. It meant removing spot lights and the dimmer board from the church hall and setting up a temporary PA system. That was the first time that I heard Ralph Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis and every time I hear it I am reminded of that event and John. He lived in one of the old school cottages.

 

[NoddKD]

Marrried Angela Talylor in this church 11th August 1973.

 

[Spargone]

Rev. John V. March, curate from September 1965 to October 1984.

 

[Rosary_Boy]

St Giles Church, Sheldon

A 14th Century sandstone structure, the oldest part being the Chancel Arch which dates from the end of the 12th century. Further additions made in 1876. Stained glass by Ward & Hughes of London dates from the 19th-century restoration but also contains a 1937 window design by Florence Camm who's family's glass business was in Smethwick (T W Camm & Co). She studied at Birmingham School of Art.

Thomas Bray was the Rector 1690-1730. Established a school in Sheldon. Emigrated to America where he helped establish the Church of England in Maryland.

Masons Inscription in the tower was written in Middle English and reads...........

In [the] yr of our lord MCCCC I Xi [1461] ye
stepel a be gon. ye masson
had two and forti pond [42 pounds] vis [6 shillings] and
viiid [8 pence] for makyng of the stpel.

The last picture shows the above inscription.

Inside this is a wonderful time capsule, unaffected by the changes that have ravaged the surrounding area, sited opposite Sheldon Country park. Have read somewhere that the stained glass windows were regarded as 'unremarkable' but I disagree. Brings back memories of Church Parade with 298th 'A' scout group in the old green hut next door. The hut had no running water and our only supply was taken from a tap sited at the rear of Old Rectory Farm opposite.

Ps I would have posted this under 'Churhes' but didn't find a suitable thread - please feel free to move it if its in the wrong place

Love this church was there last year took loads of great photos plus they opened church up for me
great stuff

 

[Spargone]

Some photos of Rev. Douglas Strickland and Rev. Denis Eade plus Sheldon choir with Mr Thomas and Denis Greaves here.

 

[Spargone]

Normally I believe the captions in Margaret Green's book Around Sheldon but there is a picture on page 18 that I would question the caption.


First of all I don't think it was taken in 1985. Sometime around 1962-64, if my memory is correct, there was an 'Oddities' exhibition and the bier was one of the items on display. I don't think the event was ever repeated, (I might be wrong), so why would the bier be put on display for any other event? The caption also says that the 'present' whereabouts was unknown. That surprises me as a brick bier house was built behind St. Giles specifically to house it by Rev. Strickland and others. Does anyone know if that structure still exists and/or where the bier is? [The bier is a hand cart for moving coffins from the lytch gate to the church]. (I could be persuaded that it is my brother looking out of the church hall).

Here is my sister wearing her grandmother's wedding dress at the front door of the church hall as part of the 'Oddities' show, (the bier is clearly at the back door of the hall). My family also provided a wooden model examination piece of pulpit stairs and a scout master's warrant (signed by Baden-Powell) belonging to my grandfather. Ex-Mapledene pupil, Margaret Newton, lent some of her Japanese(?) dolls in a glass case that her globe-trotting brother bought for her, (she brought them into school circa. 1957). Does anyone else remember this show?

 

[mbenne]

Normally I believe the captions in Margaret Green's book Around Sheldon but there is a picture on page 18 that I would question the caption.
View attachment 137285

First of all I don't think it was taken in 1985. Sometime around 1962-64, if my memory is correct, there was an 'Oddities' exhibition and the bier was one of the items on display. I don't think the event was ever repeated, (I might be wrong), so why would the bier be put on display for any other event? The caption also says that the 'present' whereabouts was unknown. That surprises me as a brick bier house was built behind St. Giles specifically to house it by Rev. Strickland and others. Does anyone know if that structure still exists and/or where the bier is? [The bier is a hand cart for moving coffins from the lytch gate to the church]. (I could be persuaded that it is my brother looking out of the church hall).

Here is my sister wearing her grandmother's wedding dress at the front door of the church hall as part of the 'Oddities' show, (the bier is clearly at the back door of the hall). My family also provided a wooden model examination piece of pulpit stairs and a scout master's warrant (signed by Baden-Powell) belonging to my grandfather. Ex-Mapledene pupil, Margaret Newton, lent some of her Japanese(?) dolls in a glass case that her globe-trotting brother bought for her, (she brought them into school circa. 1957). Does anyone else remember this show?
View attachment 137286

I definitely went to an open day at St Giles with my Mom. It was after 1985 possibly late nineties or early 2000. The church register, or one of them, was on public display and I was able to thumb through the pages. The Bier was on display at the Church - cant remember where exactly but it was there. This may have been a historical fact but I read somewhere that it was or used to be stored at the smithy across the road. As this is now a privately owned wood merchants I very much doubt they'd be storing it now. I cant imagine that something so historic would be lost!

 

[jmadone]

This is a view of the interior taken from the Bell tower during my own wedding ceremony

This shows the Rev. John Waterstreet who conducted the service. He joined us at the reception later (Held at the Excelsior Hotel, Birmigham Airport) for a couple of beers.

My sister was also married there a couple of years later.

 

[jmadone]

Some photos of Rev. Douglas Strickland and Rev. Denis Eade plus Sheldon choir with Mr Thomas and Denis Greaves here.

The choirmaster Mr Thomas, was he Howard Thomas' dad?

 

[Spargone]

The choirmaster Mr Thomas, was he Howard Thomas' dad?

Yes. Howard had a younger sister Jane. They lived on Goldthorne Avenue. Their mum was Gwyneth, a strong supporter of church activities. (My uncle got married to a girl from just outside Bristol. His mother-in-law had worked with Gwyneth at the Bristol Aeroplane company. Spooky as my uncle came from near Carlisle!). We made a couple of arranged long-distance telephone calls from the Thomas' house as they were one of very few to have a home telephone in the late 1950s.

I definitely went to an open day at St Giles with my Mom. It was after 1985 possibly late nineties or early 2000. The church register, or one of them, was on public display and I was able to thumb through the pages. The Bier was on display at the Church - cant remember where exactly but it was there. This may have been a historical fact but I read somewhere that it was or used to be stored at the smithy across the road. As this is now a privately owned wood merchants I very much doubt they'd be storing it now. I cant imagine that something so historic would be lost!

Can you remember where the register was displayed? The Oddities Exhibition required the use of the church hall, a church open day might just have been the church with the bier standing by the door. The bier house was in the church grounds backing onto the playing field hedge, i.e. the church yard proper, not the paddock behind the church hall. It could well be that the bier had been in the smithy and that was why the church build a brick shed for it. (It was only like a small potting shed).

 

[mbenne]

Yes. Howard had a younger sister Jane. They lived on Goldthorne Avenue. Their mum was Gwyneth, a strong supporter of church activities. (My uncle got married to a girl from just outside Bristol. His mother-in-law had worked with Gwyneth at the Bristol Aeroplane company. Spooky as my uncle came from near Carlisle!). We made a couple of arranged long-distance telephone calls from the Thomas' house as they were one of very few to have a home telephone in the late 1950s.


Can you remember where the register was displayed? The Oddities Exhibition required the use of the church hall, a church open day might just have been the church with the bier standing by the door. The bier house was in the church grounds backing onto the playing field hedge, i.e. the church yard proper, not the paddock behind the church hall. It could well be that the bier had been in the smithy and that was why the church build a brick shed for it. (It was only like a small potting shed).

I can't be certain but I think the bier was placed inside the church near the entrance to the bell tower as I recall the bell tower door being open and I could see accross to Church Road, maybe the plaque in the above picture was where I saw refernce to it being kept in the Smithy. The register was displayed within the confines of the church, not the hall, and was placed on a table and readily available for inspection. I was fascinated but also surprised that it could be handled by the general public. Some of the entries were fairly recent as there was a funeral entry in 1968 for a man who had lived a few doors up from my nan's on Cranes Park Road!

 

[maysfamily]

Hi, I'm new to this site this is my first post, but couldn't resist telling you that many of my family, the Cattell's are buried in the churchyard, John and Joseph Cattell were Churchwardens there, and their families farmed at Sheldon Hall and Elm Farm for many years from the mid 1800s through to the early 1900s.