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Stratford Road
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ellbrown
ell brown on Flickr
Stratford Road Baptist Church Sparkbrook is oppsite the Aldi supermarket on the Stratford Road, Palmerston Road corner. It doesn't have a spire.
https://goo.gl/maps/m2k7px9NDM22
https://goo.gl/maps/m2k7px9NDM22
Yes it did once have a spire, you can see signs of repair work on the Palmeston Road side of the Church. Viv.
According to this piece from Baptist History & Heritage (https://www.baptisthistory.org/resources/bombedchurches.html) the church suffered damage in WW2. So maybe the spire was weakened. It doesn't mention it being removed at this point in time. Viv.
Attachments
There was a steeple on it when I lived in the area from birth 1938 to leaving in 1961.
When I was at Stratford Rd Infants School we used that church hall as an annex for music lessons etc. I remember getting all excited about being in the percussion group thinking I'd get a bash at the drum.
It took about 10 mins to get the class organized into a crocodile to walk there ( which also took another 10 mins walking each way). On arrival I was issued a triangle so thank goodness we only had time left for a very short lesson.
Maybe the tower went when the area was hit by a tornado that also damaged the school c 2000.
Cheers Tim
When I was at Stratford Rd Infants School we used that church hall as an annex for music lessons etc. I remember getting all excited about being in the percussion group thinking I'd get a bash at the drum.
It took about 10 mins to get the class organized into a crocodile to walk there ( which also took another 10 mins walking each way). On arrival I was issued a triangle so thank goodness we only had time left for a very short lesson.
Maybe the tower went when the area was hit by a tornado that also damaged the school c 2000.
Cheers Tim
Found a reference in this book (bottom of page 275) saying it burnt down in 1988. https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=P3ZkU7V6N0MC&pg=PA276&lpg=PA276&dq=stratford+road+baptist++church+spire+removal&source=bl&ots=NX9VFfMzVr&sig=yQ-WkyUDUQ-kehnseosaxvsB_6Y&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjj9qvO2-zTAhWhDsAKHc2MB1EQ6AEIJjAD#v=onepage&q=stratford road baptist church spire removal&f=false
This is how it originally looked. Seems to have lost quite a lot of the original structure joining the tower on the Palmeston Road side. Viv.
This is how it originally looked. Seems to have lost quite a lot of the original structure joining the tower on the Palmeston Road side. Viv.
Looking across Stratford Road towards Highfield Road. Surprisingly some buildings on this 1933 Birmingham Libraries photo are still there. The Bulls Head would be to the left of the photographer, just out of view. Viv.
Junction with Priestley Road. Quite a few changes, but the building to the right has survived - now a restaurant. Thought it had the look of a bank in a former life. viv.
Radiorails
master brummie
In quite a few of the pics showing earlier part of the 20th. century views which have been posted on this Forum the familiar shaped cast iron Birmingham style road name plates are seen but with white letters and a dark blue background rather than the more familiar black on white version.
I wonder when the change over took place?
I wonder when the change over took place?
devonjim
master brummie
In the previous 100 or so posts has anyone suggested that the Stratford Rd is the longest continuously singly named road in the UK. I don't know if this is true but I certainly knew this "fact" from an early age. From Camp Hill to beyond Hockley Heath.
Despite never living really close to this road it has featured throughout my life. The road to town in 1940's from Tyseley- school dentist 1940's, Hall Green- school 1951-56 Camp Hill- swimming lessons 1950's Sparkhill- driving test 1960 around by the Mermaid- work 1958-62 in Hockley Heath- bicycle trips to Stratford on Avon- ice cream from Henley in Arden- Hall Green tech 1960's- "one or two pub" visits over the years- making van deliveries to retail chemists between Shirley and Sparkbrook in 2000's.
Despite never living really close to this road it has featured throughout my life. The road to town in 1940's from Tyseley- school dentist 1940's, Hall Green- school 1951-56 Camp Hill- swimming lessons 1950's Sparkhill- driving test 1960 around by the Mermaid- work 1958-62 in Hockley Heath- bicycle trips to Stratford on Avon- ice cream from Henley in Arden- Hall Green tech 1960's- "one or two pub" visits over the years- making van deliveries to retail chemists between Shirley and Sparkbrook in 2000's.
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The building itself hasn't changed too much although a front entrance seems to have been created and the side ones closed off. Obviously some of the street furniture has gone. Not sure what the tall feature was in the front of the pub. Viv.
sospiri
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Although it was local to me when we lived in Knowle Road, I've never been in the College Arms as I wasn't old enough in those days and my parents didn't frequent it either. However, I do remember lying awake in bed and regularly hearing one of its clientele, who had had a few too many, walking somewhat unsteadily past our house singing his head off!
Apart from the front entrance and the rows of bollards, nothing much seems to have changed.
What was in my day the Sparkhill Congregational Church seems to have gained a white picket fence and, of course, the Bundy clock has gone from beside the 1A bus stop, Thanks for the pics.
Maurice
Apart from the front entrance and the rows of bollards, nothing much seems to have changed.
What was in my day the Sparkhill Congregational Church seems to have gained a white picket fence and, of course, the Bundy clock has gone from beside the 1A bus stop, Thanks for the pics.
Maurice
ellbrown
ell brown on Flickr
Sparkhill and Hall Green churches merged into one congregation and are now based in the Hall Green church on the Stratford Road. No problem.
Hall Green United Community Church
Hall Green United Community Church
Stratford Road, Sparkhill in the 1960s. I see there's a Co-0p shoe shop adjoining the main BCS shop behind the phone box. Viv.
And the same metal road sign is still on the wall. Viv.
pjmburns
master brummie
According to the phone book of 1960 the Co-op was 395 Stratford Road and the shop called Sitara is 395 and 397 and it is right opposite the Mermaid. Between Fulham Road and Beach Road. I can see why you thought of just before Springfield but I think the shop "top windows" (if you see what I mean) are different. Again from Google.
