F
Diameter: 22" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Unidentified (blank)
Dove Bell ID: 59664 Tower ID: 23295 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Shaw Hill: St Mary & St John (Alum Rock)
Overview
Grid reference: SP 105 878
St Mary and St John’s is a red-brick early 20th-century church built in the Romanesque style. Shaw Hill is an area to the east of Birmingham city centre and typical of the many suburbs around the city. The nave and aisles of the church were completed in 1934 by Holland and W Hobbiss. Hobbiss completed a similar style church in nearby Burney Lane just a year later. In 1957 major additions to the east end were carried out.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave of 6 bays and chancel, north and south aisles, south east chapel, vestries, hall adjoining to the east end, small west porch.
Dimensions:
Nave and aisles c. 23m x 13m Chancel c 9m x 4m.
Description of Archaeology and History
The nave and aisles of the church were completed in 1934 by Holland and W Hobbiss. Hobbiss completed a similar style church in nearby Burney Lane just a year later. In 1957 major additions to the east end were carried out to create an adjoining hall with kitchen and toilet facilities. At the same time the sanctuary, chapel, choir and clergy were added. The porch at the west end was a later addition.
Exterior Description
The church is simply constructed, with a long shallow continuous pitched roof for the nave and chancel and much lower lean-to aisles to the north and south. The west elevation facing Alum Rock is tall with a group of three equal round headed lancets and below this the later porch which has a pitched roof and is supported by two columns with crocket capitals. There are foundation stones dating the completion of the church to 1934 on either side of the west doors.
The aisles each have a single lancet at the west end and other than this, the windows are rectangular and domestic in nature. The clerestorey however continues the Romanesque styling with spaced round headed lancets. On the north side, at the west end there is a tall pitched bell turret with arched openings. Towards the east end is positioned the small chapel with a flat roof, and the parish hall adjoins the building immediately beyond this. The hall has a tall chimney at that point and further to the east is the main entrance, which attempts to mimic the architectural style with a tall semi-circular brick arch containing the door. The hall obscures the eastern elevation almost completely, save for the upper section of the gable.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
20th century 6-bays
Chancel
20th century
Aisle
20th century north
Aisle
20th century south
Chapel (component)
20th century south-east
Vestry
20th century
Church Hall
20th century adjoining east end
Porch
20th century small west
Building Materials
Brick
20th century walls
Timber
20th century roof trusses
Tile
20th century nave and aisles roofing
Asphalt
20th century other roofs
Interior
Interior Description
Moving inside the space is tall and rather stark; the church has a basilican plan and round arches are used consistently. Access from the church hall is at the north east corner and along the north aisle there is access to vestries and the sacristy. The arcading is simple and robust with wide arches leading to the aisles, the slender lancets of the clerestorey above provide a coherent contrast. The aisles also have smaller connecting arches from the arcade to the north and south walls.
The sanctuary area is defined by a wide arch, leaving a narrow alcove in which round headed recesses are set into the north and south walls. On the south side of the arch itself there is a piscina continuing the simple architectural style. High on the east wall there is a rosette decorated with stained glass.
To the south of the first bay of the chancel is the small Lady Chapel, accessed through a door from the south aisle and divided from the chancel by a timber screen painted white and decorated with pink rosettes. The Chapel has a single lancet to the south side and a group of three to the west.
The west entrance has a small internal porch. The nave has plain wooden intersecting chairs on a parquet floor and all the walkways are tiled. The roof is open and has a simple tie-beam, king-post and strut structure. The nave is lit by twin sets of hanging lanterns.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century Large plain panelled table.
Reredos
20th century Large round Romanesque arch on pillars decorated in red and gold, the front panel carved with leaves and grapes.
Pulpit
20th century Attached to second pillar from east on the south side, wooden with linenfold panelling.
Font (component)
20th century Stone octagonal design with large quatrefoil decoration on each face, painted red and gold. Wooden cover.
Stained Glass (window)
20th century • Rosette in east wall of a dove. • West end of north aisle single lancet depicting St John, by A J Naylor, Hall Green. Frederick Burden 8th February 1985 aged 83 years • West end of south aisle single lancet depicting St David, David Gilbert Francis 16th January 1939 aged 3 years. • Lady Chapel 1948 single lancet depicting a dove.
Organ (component)
19th century 19th century 1 manual organ. Positioned on the north side of the choir; display pipes and casing are decorated white and pink.
Rail
20th century Plain wooden communion rails.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: SP 105 878
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Quinquennial Inspections
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