St Mary and St Margaret's Parish Church
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St Mary and St Margaret’s Parish Church is an Anglican Church in the west of the village of Castle Bromwich, which is situated within the northern part of the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull in the English metropolitan county of West Midlands.
A proposal to site a mobile phone mast on this historic church has aroused controversy, as it would look out of place and spoil the church building. [citation needed]
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[edit] History
A small wooden Norman chapel was known on the site before 1175, probably built for one of the de Bromwich family. However, it is believed that a house of worship has existed here for more than 2000 years. The chapel was remade of stone in the 12th Century, possibly earlier. In the 15th century the Norman chapel had a large half timbered structure and wooden tower added to the west end, probably by a member of the Devereux family. The present church was extensively altered between 1726 and 1731 by Sir John Bridgeman II to give an English Renaissance, neo-classical, style. The new brick tower was built first in 1725, a little way away from the existing main church. The Hall and Church were then rebuilt using bricks made of local Castle Bromwich clay, fired close by. It is thought that the architect was William White of Worcester. The old timber church was now encased in brick and plaster. The massive oak timbers still carry the roof trusses, both of which can only be seen in the roof now as a flat ceiling was also built. It is therefore unusual and unique, as it is a “church within a church”, a Norman medieval church within a Georgian one. The circular plastered pillars inside the church cover 20 inch square 23 feet high solid oak timbers, which stand on stone piers. Until 1878 the church was a chapel to Castle Bromwich Hall, the adjacent Jacobean mansion, and part of the large Aston Parish. It then became the Parish Church of Castle Bromwich. Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens surround the Hall. The North Garden has double iron gates, which lead to the Church grounds.
Castle Bromwich was originally one parish but was split into two in 1967, when St Clement’s Church was built in the east of the village.
[edit] Features
The church is a Grade 1 Listed Building. The brick tower has a clock face and contains a peal of six bells. Weathervanes stood on top of the stone urns at the four corners of the tower before 1947. These were replaced after the bells were recast in 1952 by four of the old bell clappers. Inside, the church has two side chapels (one is called the Lady Chapel) and traditional wooden pews. The box ones at the front were originally reserved for the Bridgeman family. There is a stone tablet with an epitaph to Sir John Bridgeman of 1752 and a window dedicated to the memory of the Countess of Bradford who died in 1842. There is a rare three tiered pulpit with a sounding board above. It has a high pulpit, a reading desk and a seat for the clerk. In 1966 bluish Victorian glass which filled all of the windows was replaced with clear glass to let in more light. A little still remains in the tower. The Foden Room (named after one of the Churchwardens) was also built in ordinary brick on the south side (hidden from the road) to give additional accommodation. Some box pews were removed in 1980 to give added space in the Lady Chapel.
It is proposed to build a bigger community hall on the south side.
The church is considered to have nationally outstanding Architectural and Historic merit.
[edit] Usual Services
Sunday - 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist (said), 10 a.m. The Parish Eucharist (sung) with Sermon and a Creche available in the Foden Room, The Wayfarers (Sunday School) and at 6-30 p.m. Evensong.
Weekdays - Tuesday at 7-30 p.m., (first Tuesday of month at 7-00 p.m.), Wednesday at 9-30 a.m. and Saturday at 9-00 a.m. (except first Saturday of month).
Wedding and Baptism Arrangements - Saturdays 10-00 a.m. until 10-45 a.m. in the Church.
[edit] Organisations
Choir, Bellringers, Mothers Union, Wayfarers (Sunday School), Youth Group, Prayer Group, Bible Study Group.
Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens are a popular tourist attraction and are open to the public.
