Page:Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham.djvu/249

Rh are free. Patrons, Trustees. Vicar, Rev E. D. Roberts, M.A.

St. Paul's, Moseley Road, Balsall Heath.—Foundation stone laid May 17, 1S52, the building being opened that day twelvemonth. Cost £5,500 and has sittings for 1,300, of which number 465 are free. The Vicar of King's Norton is the patron of the living (value £300), and it is held by the Rev. B. Benison, M.A.

St. Peter's, Dale End, was begun in 1825, and consecrated Aug. 10, 1827, having cost £19,000. Considerable damage to the church was caused by fire, Jan. 24, 1831. There are 1,500 sittings, all free. The living is valued at £260, is in the gift of the Bishop, and is held by the Rev. R. Dell, M.A., Vicar.

St. Philip's.—The parish of St. Philip's was created by special Act, 7 Anne, c. 34 (1708), and it being the first division of Sr. Martin's the new parish was bound to pay the Rector of St. Martin's £15 per year and £7 to the Clerk thereof, besides other liabilities. The site for the church (long called the "New Church" and churchyard, as near as possible four acres, was given by Mrs. Phillips, which accounts for the Saint's name chosen. George I. gave £600 towards the building fund, on the application of Sir Richard Gough, whose crest of a boar's head was put over the church, and there is now, in the form of a vane, as an acknowledgment of his kindness. Other subscriptions came in freely, and the £5,000, first estimated cost, was soon raised. [See "St. Martin's"). The building was commenced in 1711, and consecrated on October 4th, 1715, but the church was not completed until 1719. The church was re-pewed in 1850, great part restored in 1859-60, and considerably enlarged in 1883-84. The height of the tower is 140ft., and there are ten bells, six of them dating from the year 1719 and the others from 1761. There is accommodation for 2,000 persons, 600 of the seats being free. The nett value of the living is £868, the Bishop being patron. The present Rector, the Rev. H. B. Bowlby, M.A., Hon. Canon of Worcester, and Surrogate, has been with us since 1375.

St. Saviour's, Saltley, was consecrated July 23, 1850." The cost of building was £6,000; there are 810 seats, 560 being free; the living is valued at £240, and is in the gift of Lord Norton; the present Vicar is the Rev. F. Williams, B.A.

St. Saviour's, Villa Street, Hockley.—Corner-stone laid April 9, 1872; consecrated May 1, 1874. Cost £5,500, and has seats for 600, all free. The living (value £250) is in the gift of trustees, and is now held by the Rev. M. Parker, Vicar.

St. Silas's Church Street, Lozells, was consecrated January 10, 1854, the first stone having been laid June 2, 1852. It has since been enlarged, and has now 1,100 sittings, 430 being free. The living (value £450) is a perpetual curacy, in the gift of trustees, and is held by the Rev. G. C. Baskerville, M.A. The Mission Room in Burbury Street is served from St. Silas's.

St. Stephen's, Newtown Row, was consecrated July 23, 1844. The building cost £3,200; there are 1,150 sittings, of which 750 are free; the living is valued at £250, is in the gift of the Bishop and the Crown alternately, and is now held by the Rev. P. Reynolds, Vicar, who also provides for the Mission Room in Theodore Street.

St. Stephen's, Selly Hill, was consecrated August 18, 1871, the first stone having been laid March 30, 1870. The patrons are the Bishop and trustees; the living is valued at £200; it is a perpetual curacy, and the incumbent is the Rev. R. Stokes. M.A. Of the 300 sittings 100 are free.

St. Thomas's, Holloway Head.—First stone laid Oct. 2, 1826; consecrated Oct. 22, 1829, having cost £14,220. This is the largest church in Birmingham, there being 2,600 sittings, of which 1,500 are free. In the Chartist riots of 1839, the people tore