Nominal: 774 Hz Weight: 1389 lbs Diameter: 40.5" Bell 1 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1932
Dove Bell ID: 705 Tower ID: 10553 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Selly Oak: St Mary
Diocese of Birmingham
Church, 602021
http://www.StMarySellyOak.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: SP 37 822
The foundation stone of St Mary's was laid on the 12th July 1860 and the new church consecrated on 12th September 1861 by the Lord Bishop of Worcester, Bishop Philpot. St Mary's Church is built of sandstone, from a former quarry in Weoley Castle, in a Victorian version of the Decorated Gothic style. According to an architectural description, the only unusual feature is the presence of grouped quatrefoil clerestory windows.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 601 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The foundation stone of St Mary's was laid on the 12th July 1860 and the new church consecrated on 12th September 1861 by the Lord Bishop of Worcester, Bishop Philpot.
The church became a Grade II Listed building on 8th July 1982, and has been carefully maintained since quinquennial inspections began in 1969. A number of significant changes to the interior have been made over the years, notably the provision of an additional vestry for the clergy in 1958 on the south side, when the organ was re-located, a bookstall area in 1994, and the removal of pews at the West end of the church in 2006 in order to provide a carpeted area for social gatherings and refreshments after services.
A security system, involving 9 external CCTV cameras, with monitoring equipment, was installed in 2009. More recently, key internal areas were re-decorated in 2010, the Lady Chapel and choir vestry were re-ordered in 2013, the clergy vestry in 2014 the South transept in 2015, and in 2019 the front pews were removed. Some major repairs were made to the external masonry at the East end of the church in 2011, including re-roofing of the clergy and choir vestries, prior to internal re-ordering. In 2019 a piece of masonry fell from the tower creating a hole in the church roof at the west end.
Exterior Description
St Mary's Church is built of sandstone, from a former quarry in Weoley Castle, in a Victorian version of the Decorated Gothic style. According to an architectural description, the only unusual feature is the presence of grouped quatrefoil clerestory windows. There are limestone facings to window openings and arches. The tower at the north-west comer supports a spire 150 feet (45.7 metres) high. There are 9 stained glass windows of excellent Victorian workmanship, made by the firm of John Hardman.
Interior
Bells
Nominal: 1548 Hz Weight: 455 lbs Diameter: 25.5" Bell 2 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1932
Dove Bell ID: 11365 Tower ID: 10553 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1451 Hz Weight: 466 lbs Diameter: 26" Bell 3 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1932
Dove Bell ID: 11366 Tower ID: 10553 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Nominal: 1290 Hz Weight: 472 lbs Diameter: 27.13" Bell 4 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1932
Dove Bell ID: 11367 Tower ID: 10553 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1161 Hz Weight: 552 lbs Diameter: 28.75" Bell 5 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1932
Dove Bell ID: 11368 Tower ID: 10553 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1032 Hz Weight: 659 lbs Diameter: 31.13" Bell 6 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1932
Dove Bell ID: 11369 Tower ID: 10553 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 968 Hz Weight: 746 lbs Diameter: 33" Bell 7 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1932
Dove Bell ID: 11370 Tower ID: 10553 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 871 Hz Weight: 1029 lbs Diameter: 36.5" Bell 8 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1932
Dove Bell ID: 11371 Tower ID: 10553 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SP 37 822
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
The churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard is closed for burial by order in council.
The date of the burial closure order is 12/12/1873
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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Quinquennial Inspections
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