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St. Peter’s Church

Tile Cross and Fordbridge Parish

Last up dated     22-06-2009

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CHURCH HISTORY

 

HISTORY OF ST JOHN'S CHURCH TILE CROSS

 

Approximately 1880 the barn probably given by the Digbys, and Mr Adams paid for the alteration to enable the building to be used as a place of worship. (A Mission Hall Chapel).

 

In addition to use as a place of worship it was probably used up to 1890 for classes in general education.

Mrs Stalham attended Sunday School here in 1893 and in 1900 played the Harmonium for the

1st Sunday School Anniversary and continued to be organist until 1905.

 

During this period the building was used as a Chapel Mission Hall.

The first Church of England services were held in the cottage of George Edward Viners at Tile Cross corner (now pulled down) by the Rev Frank Tibbitts MA of St Giles, Sheldon, in 1911.

The Mission Hall was taken over by the Church of England in 1914.

 

In 1923 the first proposals were made to extend the Mission Hall by building the --chancel and during this year it was decided to call the hall the Sheldon Church Mission.

In 1923 land was purchased for the sum of £16.8s.9d. for building the chancel and Mr Heath offered to draw up the necessary plans.

 

The Rev Bains of Bickenhill gave the pulpit from Marston Green Church.

The work of building the chancel was proceeded with and completed in 1924 at a cost of £121.11s.6d., with an extra £13 for the chancel furniture. The chancel was dedicated. The Mission had oil lamps and coal fire. The Rector at that time was Rev C Martin.

In 1926 an American organ was installed at a cost of £45.

 

In 1930 the Church electric light was installed and the name St John's was adopted.

The Reredos was added in 1932 being made by Mr W A Blackwell and the gift of the Ladies Work Party.

A new American organ was purchased in 1933 at a cost of £38.

 

In 1938 the Church was completely reseated with chairs in place of the benches then in use at a cost of £12.

 

In 1939 the Church passed from St Giles, Sheldon, into new Parish of Marston Green with Rev H R Sproule being the first vicar.

 

A significant item appears in the accounts for 1939 viz blackout material.

Mr Blackwell, who had been in charge of the Mission, passed away in 1937 followed by the death of Mrs Blackwell a few hours later. An oak memorial cupboard for the storage of service books was placed in the Church, the work of Mr Gregory, in memory of them both.

 

In 1941 a new carved oak curtain rail was given by Mr and Mrs Gregory. in grateful thanks for the recovery from a serious illness of their son.

Youth Club in September 1942 to December 1945 - war years.

In 1944 the window opposite the entrance door was panelled and lined in oak to form a childrens corner - the gift of Mrs Gregory in memory of her parents, the picture
being-presented by Mrs Warren.

 

The organ purchased in 1933 was replaced and the present pipe organ built by Mr Gregory and Martin Williamson was installed and dedicated in 1944. This organ contains 4 stops and 220 pipes and is probably unique in size and compactness for a pipe organ. Many of the pipes were formerly part of a barrel organ, while the metal front pipes were salvaged from a bombed Birmingham Church. The large bas pipes were made by the builders. It is interesting to note that this organ was built within half a mile of the Church and the oak used in the case was given by a friend. The organ is electrically blown. The actual cost of the materials in the organ £30 was raised by the Youth Club who organised a garden fete and enabled the new organ to be free of cost to the Church.

Lay Readers Richard John and Mr. Whitehouse in charge from 1937 until St. Johns closure in 1972. The children’s club formed, called St John's Young People's Guild in July 1951.

 

St. John’s Church was taken over by St. Peter’s Church in October 1959, Rev. Haig Brown then became vicar for St. John’s as well as being vicar of St. Peter’s.

 

After its closure in 1972, an oaken panel was placed in the chapel of St. Peter’s Church containing memorial plaques removed from St. John’s. This chapel was often referred to as St. John’s Chapel. Two of the four stained glass windows in the chapel were paid for by members of the congregation of St. John’s Church.