Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Unidentified (blank)
Dove Bell ID: 51900 Tower ID: 18916 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Walsall : St Michael & All Angels, Caldmore
Overview
Grid reference: SP 14 977
Built in the Early English style 1870-1, designed by J R Veall. Although consecrated in 1871, the church was built in phases and was fully complete by 1896. A fire caused severe damage in 1964, following which it was restored.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
5-bay aisled nave with clerestory. Domed apsidal east end. 2-storey west porch and vestry. Vestry and chapel to north.
Dimensions:
[Approximate] Nave 25m 85ft) x 10m (35ft), chancel 8m (25ft)
Footprint of Church buildings: 671 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The area around the village of Caldmore used to be countryside south of Walsall. Maps show fields until 1845, with the main settlement at Caldmore village, which was inhabited by the 14th Century. Caldmore had four metal workers in 1770. The area close to the church was developed in the 1830s/early 1840s, the landowner Lord Bradford granted building leases. By the 1860s leather working was important. The middle classes moved out into larger houses. Land continued to be released by Lord Bradford, though maps show still rural character towards the end of the 19th Century.
The church was established by Rev John Fenwick Laing [1830-1931], a high churchman, who held mission services in a small cottage near Caldmore Green in 1866 and the following year transferred services to a Church school to accommodate growing numbers. Further increase resulted in the decision to build a new church building. A local man, Thomas Marlow, donated land and money towards the total cost. A local architect from Wolverhampton, James Read Veall [1824/5-1898] designed the building. Construction began in 1870 and the first phase of works, including an apsidal chancel and nave, was completed by 1871.
ICBS files record the approval of three grants towards each phase of work on the church: for the design and first phase of building, for the addition of a north aisle 1878-9, and for a south aisle in 1880-1. A Lady Chapel was also added by 1885. An image attributed to Veall shows a proposed drawing of the building, with a south-west tower, never built. On the north side is a gabled vestry and a chapel, both added in the 1920s.
An enlarged organ was installed in 1888 and a west porch and vestry in 1896. The adjacent vicarage was built in 1913 by the vicar’s sister. On his death, Father Laing transferred the vicarage to the Diocesan Committee. Father Laing opened a mission hall in Palfrey, called All Saints, later St Mary and All Saints.
A severe fire in 1964 began behind the organ and spread destroying the chancel and nave roofs, organ, screen as well as damaging murals on the walls (around chancel arch). During the reconstruction a steel roof replaced the original timber roof. 32 of 38 stained windows were saved. 10 clerestory windows were reset with plain glass. Two super altars were removed. New choir stalls were installed. An original pipe organ was replaced by a Compton electric organ. The church was reconsecrated in 1967. A new Church Hall opened in 1969. The Lady Chapel was decorated with murals in the 1990s.
The archaeological potential of the site is low. The building is within a conservation area and the mature trees are protected.
Exterior Description
The west porch is of two storeys and two bays, and has a moulded pointed north doorway. The aisled nave is of five bays, separated by buttresses and with plate tracery of two cusped lancet lights with cinquefoil in the heads. The clerestory windows are paired lancets. The apse has three lancet windows with cinquefoil heads. Domed apsidal Lady Chapel on south side with single pointed lights and a plain pointed doorway in west bay.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
19th century 5-bay aisled
Clerestory
19th century
Dome
19th century domed apsidal east end
Porch
19th century 2-storey west porch
Vestry
19th century
Chapel (component)
19th century
Building Materials
Sandstone
1870-1
Sherwood Sandstone
Sandstone
19th century red
Bath Stone
19th century dressings
Clay
19th century Staffordshire Blue plain clay tiles
Iron
19th century cast iron rainwater goods
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is broad and bright, with light stained glass in every window, modern replacements found in the chancel apse. The nave arcades have pointed sandstone moulded arches carried on round columns with foliated capitals, each paid for by a member of the congregation. The clerestory windows each have a central inner banded shaft with foliated capital. The nave and aisles have quarry tiles with decorative central aisle and borders and heating grilles.
There is a dais with nave altar. The ribbed wagon roof of the chancel replaced the original one destroyed in 1964. The windows of the apse are flanked by narrow shafts. High altar decorated with paintings – theme repeated in modern stained glass windows above the High Altar. South wall has carved oak sedilia. Modern choir stalls. Sanctuary with herringbone woodblock floor, ceiling of ribbed and painted timber. The Lady Chapel has carpet over a stone floor, a half dome stained boarded ceiling, and murals of 1982.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century high altar chest with corner columns, all richly carved, painted and gilded, integral with reredos - new nave altar 1987
Reredos
19th century carved oak of Austrian origin, with painted statues of the Early Fathers of the Church with Christ in the centre
Pulpit
19th century sandstone with elaborate Gothic arcading
Lectern
19th century brass eagle
Font (component)
19th century stone with tall wooden font cover carved with small painted panels depicting St Michael, it has retractable miniature columns to allow access to the font without lifting the cover
Rail
20th century plain wood
Stained Glass (window)
19th / 20th century Those at ground level in north and south aisles are late 19th-century and depict Biblical scenes with armed angels. Windows above nave arches include Saints of British Isles and St Chad of Lichfield. West end – Christ. Lady Chapel – St Mary, St John the Baptist either side of Christ. Other windows of St Peter, James and John. East end has 1960s glass, semi abstract in blue hues. 19th century glass by John Hardman & Co of Birmingham.
Plaque (component)
19th / 20th century hung in the church
Organ (component)
19th century 1852 by J W Walker, installed here in 1982
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: SP 14 977
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
Sources
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