St Lawrence's Church, Duddeston

St Lawrence's Church, Dartmouth Street, Duddeston is a former Church of England parish church in Birmingham.

St Lawrence’s Church, Duddeston
Map
52°29′20.8″N 1°53′10.1″W / 52.489111°N 1.886139°W / 52.489111; -1.886139
LocationBirmingham
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
History
DedicationSt Lawrence
Consecrated25 June 1868
Architecture
Architect(s)J A Chatwin
Groundbreaking20 June 1867
Completed1868
Construction cost£4,347
Closed1951
Specifications
Capacity750 people
Length95.5 feet (29.1 m)
Width55.6 feet (16.9 m)

History

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The foundation stone was laid on 20 June 1867 by the Bishop of Worcester.[1]

The funding of the church was provided by Miss Louisa Ann Ryland. The church was designed by J A Chatwin and built in brick, with the tracery of the windows in Corsham Down Bath stone. The contractor was Charles Jones of Belmont Row, Birmingham. It was consecrated on 25 June 1868 by the Bishop of Worcester.[2] A parish was assigned out of St Matthew's Church, Duddeston and Nechells in 1868.

 
Thomas J. Bass, circa 1903

Thomas J. Bass, vicar at St Lawrence's from 1897 to 1925, was an author and outspoken critic of poverty and slums.[3][4] He also served as secretary of the city's Sanitary Aid Committee.

Alterations were undertaken in 1894 and 1895.

The church was closed in 1951 and the parish was reunited with St Matthew's Church, Duddeston and Nechells.

Organ

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An organ by Halmshaw was installed. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "New Church in St Matthew's Parish". Birmingham Journal. Birmingham. 22 June 1867. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  2. ^ "Consecration of St Lawrence's Church, Dartmouth Street". Birmingham Journal. Birmingham. 27 June 1868. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  3. ^ "Far and Near: Notes of the Month". Sunday at Home: 137–138. 1902–1903.
  4. ^ Chinn, Carl (20 July 2013). "When Birmingham Children Played in Graveyards". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  5. ^ "NPOR [N07342]". National Pipe Organ Register. British Institute of Organ Studies. Retrieved 11 March 2015.