Page:Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham.djvu/243

Rh first stone was laid in September, 1867, and the consecration took place Jan. 5, 1869, The sittings number 600, most being free. The living (value £300) is in the gift of the Bishop, and is held by the Rev. J. T. Tanse, vicar. A mission room at the west end of the church was opened Dec. 14, 1878. It is 105ft. long by 25ft. wide, and will seat 800. The cost was about £3,500, and it is said the vicar and his friends saved £2,500 by building the rooms themselves.

St. George's.—When first built, there were so few houses near Great Hampton Row and Tower Street, that this church was known as "St. George's in the Fields," and the site for church and churchyard (3,965 square yards) was purchased for £200. The foundation stone was laid April 19, 1820, and the consecration took place July 30, 1822. The tower is 114fc. high, and the first cost of the building was £12,735, Renovated in 1870, the church has latterly been enlarged, the first stone of a new chancel being placed in position (June, 1882) by the Bishop of Ballarat, formerly rector of the parish. This and other additions has added £2, 350 to the original cost of the church, which provides accommodation for 2,150, all but 700 being free seats. The living (value £500) is in the gift of trustees, and the present Rector is the Rev. J. G. Dixon, M.A. The church was re-opened March 13, 1883, and services are also conducted in New Summer Street and in Smith Street Schoolrooms.

St. George's, Edgbaston.—First stone laid Aug. 17, 1836 ; consecrated Nov. 28, 1838. Cost £6,000. Perpetual curacy (value £300), in the gift of Lord Calthorpe. 1,000 sittings, of which one- third are free, but it is proposed to considerably enlarge the building, and possibly as much as £8,000 will be spent thereon, with proportionate accommodation.

St. James's, Ashted.—Originally the residence of Dr. Ash, this building was remodelled and opened as a place of worship, Oct. 9, 1791. As Ashted Chapel it was sold by auction, May 3, 1796. Afterwards, being dedicated to St. James, it was consecrated, the ceremony taking place Aug. 7, 1807. The living (value £300) is in the gift of trustees, the present vicar being the Rev. H. C. Phelps, M.A. Of the 1,350 sittings, 450 are free, there being also a mission room in Vauxhall Road.

St. James's, Aston.—The mission room, in Tower Road, in connection with Aston Church, is known as St. James's Church Room, it being intended to erect a church on an adjoining site.

St. James's, Edgbaston, which cost about £6,000, was consecrated June 1, 1852, and has 900 sittings, one-fourth being free. Perpetual curacy (value £230) in the gift of Lord Calthorpe. The 25th anniversary of the incumbency of the Rev. P. Browne, M.A., was celebrated June 7, 1877, by the inauguration of a new organ, subscribed for by the congregation.

St. James's, Handsworth, was built in 1849, and has 800 sittings, of which one half are free. The living (value £300) is in the gift of the Rector of Handsworth, and the present vicar is the Rev. H. L Randall, B.A.

St. John's, Deritend.—The "Chapel of St. John's," was commenced in 1375; it was licensed in 1381 by the monks of Tickford Priory, who appointed the Vicars of Aston, in which parish Deritend then was; it was repaired in 1677, and rebuilt in 1735. Tne tower was added in 1762, and clock and bells put in in 1776. This is believed to have been the first church in which the teachings of Wycliffe and the Reformers were allowed, the grant given to the inhabitants leaving in their hands the sole choice of the minister. This rite was last exercised June 15, 1870, when the present chaplain, the Rev. W. C. Badger, was elected by 3,800 votes, against 2,299 given for a rival candidate. There is accommodation for 850, of which 250 seats are free. It is related that when