Churchyard at St Giles, Sheldon

Last weekend I was doing some family chauffeuring and realised that if I made a slight detour on the way home I could visit one of Birmingham's medieval churches. I thought it might be open as there was a suggestion they offer tea and cakes during the time I would be there. But even if it was closed I could have a wander round the exterior and the churchyard.

The nave of the church dates from around 1330 and the church is made of sandstone. The church was restored in 1867 by Slater and Carpenter and is Grade II listed. From 1690 the Rector was Thomas Bray who later helped to establish the Church of England in Maryland.

The lychgate was erected in 1899 to commemorate the 50th year of Rev. B Jones-Bateman's incumbency as Rector Of Sheldon. He remained as vicar until 1910.

The churchyard was delightful (lots of areas where the grass had not been cut) and full of wild flowers - Buttercups, Campion, Cow Parsley, Daisies, Speedwell and Ribwort Plantain.

The church tower was added in the 15th century.

The gargoyles looked modern.

The porch dates back to the mid 16th century.

A 13th century coffin lid with a long plain calvary cross.

I got my knuckles rapped on Twitter for calling this a Leper's Squint. This is now an outdated theory and the view now is that these windows now called Low Side Windows were used possibly as ventilation or for a handbell to be rung to alert parishioners working in the nearby fields that it was nearly time for mass.

There were some interesting carvings on the exterior East Wall - I am not sure if they are heraldic? although one is an Agnus Dei so perhaps others contain religious symbols too? If you read this post John (Stray Rambler) would love to know your thoughts.

The Pentagon Window seen from the exterior (I would so have liked to have seen it from inside the church) - it is a very unusual shape to find in a church and it is believed to be the only one in Europe. It was re-discovered in 1867 during renovations of the North aisle. It is believed it was walled up by locals at the time Puritans were destroying some items in churches.

At this stage I was approached by a man with a dog - apparently he always bought the dog along to warn off suspicious characters seen in the churchyard!! I am not sure how suspicious a 60 something woman with a limp (my hip was playing up!) and a camera looked!!! However, he was very friendly and I discovered why the church was closed.

Apparently it was a bit of a mess inside as they were having central heating installed otherwise he would have let me in to have a look round inside. I complimented him on all the wild flowers in the churchyard and was told it was of necessity rather than choice. But to me it was lovely to find a churchyard full of wild flowers and birds so I do hope they don't one day re-commence a strict mowing regime.



The West Door

A weathered Green Man??

Possible marks made by Roundhead soldiers during the English Civil War when they were sharpening arrows.

As usual there was an item I missed - there is apparently a bier house containing a Victorian bier cart (used to transport coffins) somewhere along the church walls.

Hopefully, when the church is re-opened I can go back and see the interior of the church.


Information from Church Facebook page

All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera

Birmingham Cathedral

"The church that became a cathedral in the town that became a city"


I recently paid a brief visit to Birmingham Cathedral which is located in Birmingham City Centre.

St Philip's was originally built as a parish church in the ornate Baroque style and was completed in 1709. The architect was Thomas Archer from Umberslade Hall, near Tanworth-in-Arden. As Birmingham developed into an important industrial city the church was given cathedral status in 1905 when Charles Gore became the first Bishop.

There were two 19th century alterations at St Philip's when a gallery was inserted, the chancel extended and stained glass windows were added. Today it is a Grade 1 Listed Building.


Important Baroque details include the dome, volutes (scrolls), the giant pilasters, door surrounds and oval "Bulls-eye" windows, rusticated stonework and balustrade with decorative urns.

Statue of Bishop Gore

Although the churchyard was closed for burials 150 years ago it still contains around 60,000 burials.

The South West Porch still contains the original early 18th century staircase, balustrade and panelling.

The stained glass windows were all designed by Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris and Co. Burne-Jones was born in nearby Bennett's Hill and was baptised in the church. His imagery was inspired by medieval art although he used his images in a different way using simplified shapes enhanced by bright colours - reds, pinks and blues in particular.


The Last Judgement,in memory of Bishop Bowlby, was installed in 1897.

A few of the memorials.

This stone plaque set in the floor commemorates Dr William Small who worshipped at the St Philips and was buried there in 1775. He was a member of the Lunar Society of Birmingham and spent some years in Virginia where he taught Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States.

Bishop Gore's crozier - a crozier is the staff of office of a Bishop and is often in the design of a shepherd's crook to represent the role of a Bishop as a shepherd of Christ's people. He was bishop between 1905 and 1911 and was co-founder of the Christian Socialism Movement and a campaigner for social reform.

The organ was made by Thomas Schwarbrick of Warwick. The case is original although its workings have been renovated several times.

The three East windows were also all designed by Edward Burne-Jones

The Ascension (1885) depicts Christ wearing red robes in Heaven surrounded by angels. His disciples below are praying and looking towards Heaven.

The Crucifixion (1887/8) - Jesus Christ looks down on his mother Mary. Mary and St John with their hands clasped look upwards. Mary Magdalene weeps at the base of the cross. The cross is surrounded by soldiers with lances and flags.

The Nativity and Annunciation (1887/8) Joseph and three angels pay homage to the Virgin and child. At the top of the window 3 shepherds look upwards at the angelic host - the arc of the latter is replicated by the cave roof and forest.

Divine Beauty is a new project to restore and celebrate the stained glass windows - they are 130 years old and their condition is deteriorating and careful restoration is now required.

The font was designed by John Poole in 1982.

Several notable people have been linked with St Philip's. For example,

Matthew Boulton, industrialist and co-founder of the famous Lunar Society was baptised here in 1766.
( I am sure I have exchanged a number of comments in the past about the Lunar Society - if you read this Rosie - I think it may have been with you??)

James Keir, a glass manufacturer, chemist and another Lunar Society member was married in the church in 1770.

The printer John Baskerville, designer of the Baskerville typeface, was at one time a church warden.

Artist Moses Houghton, Gunmaker William Westley-Richards and architect H Yeoville Thomason (designer of Birmingham Council House) all have memorials in the cathedral.

Doctor Edmund Hector also has a memorial - he was a friend of Dr Samuel Johnson, and lived near the church.





As always time for the visit was limited and when I got home and read the guide books I realised I had missed some interesting features in the cathedral, churchyard and nearby. Hopefully, I will return one day and have another look around.



Photos taken with the Panasonic Lumix Bridge Camera FZ 330. I am still learning the best settings for the camera but overall I am very pleased with it.



Reference : A Guide to Birmingham Cathedral
Edward Burne-Jones Pre-Rapahelite Glass in Birmingham by Alastair Carew-Cox and William Waters