Allens Cross: St Bartholomew
Overview
Grid reference: SP 12 804
The church is simple in plan and elevation, dominated by the 20m-high south-west campanile. This is square in section, with a low-pitched copper-clad roof. Built in 1938 to a design by S N Cooke & Partners. In 1958 the chancel was enlarged and a west gallery for the choir erected. Set on a minor crossroads on a large unenclosed plot laid to grass with a few trees, this large brick church in the Romanesque basilica style provides a notable landmark in an area of unremarkable contemporary terraced housing in this south-western suburb of Birmingham.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
6-bay aisled nave and 1-bay chancel, projecting 1-bay west narthex with gallery above, south-west porch under campanile, smaller south-east porch in the angle of chancel and south aisle.
Dimensions:
Nave 26m (80ft) by 10m (34ft).
Description of Archaeology and History
Built in 1938 to a design by S N Cooke & Partners. In 1958 the chancel was enlarged and a west gallery for the choir erected. The church has not been used regularly since 1998. An arson attack in May 1999 burnt out the vestry and cloakroom, and caused extensive smoke damage. The furnishings and fittings were removed and the church has not been used for worship since.
Exterior Description
The church is simple in plan and elevation, dominated by the 20m-high south-west campanile. This is square in section, with a low-pitched copper-clad roof. The belfry has one long round-headed louvred opening in each face. The campanile has a stairwell with an arch-headed frieze attached to its west side, which reaches to just below nave eaves height.
The corners of the building have corbelled out brick kneelers, these the only decorative details in what is otherwise a rather stern vista. The narrow aisles have flat roofs, with single round-headed windows in each bay, without buttresses. The tall clearstorey has groups of three such lights in each bay. The porch entrances feature tall round-headed arches, all in all a dignified ensemble. The vestry has a four-light in the same style in its east wall.
There is a circular window high in the west and east facades, which are otherwise plain. There is some coloured glass in these windows in a simple cross pattern. The aisle windows have a stylised descending dove, the glass being otherwise plain.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
20th century 6-bay aisled
Chancel
20th century 1-bay
Narthex (classical)
20th century projecting 1-bay, west
Gallery (ecclesiastical)
20th century above narthex
Porch
20th century under campanile
Bell Tower (component)
20th century campanile
Building Materials
Brick
20th century hand-made
Timber
20th century roof
Terracotta
20th century roof tiles
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is whitewashed, with its tall round-arched arcades and chancel arch simple and pleasingly clear and bright, the high clearstorey windows providing good quality of light. The fire damage is most noticeable in the north-east corner of the nave.
The church has now been stripped of furnishings and fittings, and many of the lower level windows boarded up to protect against further vandalism. The roof has survived intact, of open truss construction with boarded soffits. Woodblock floor.
Fixtures and fittings
Organ (component)
19th century Built in 1888 by Walter James Bird of Birmingham, near the start of his organ building career, and transferred to this church probably for the opening, and certainly by 1941. It has fourteen speaking stops and all mechanical action, although the specification suggests that it was rebuilt with alterations at some stage in its life. The organ has been removed to Worcester by Trevor Tipple.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SP 12 804
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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