I was in Solihull early last week and took my camera deciding to pop into St Alphege's to get some photos of the interior of the church (I was earlier this time!). The church was, however, full of school children practising for a school service and, although the church volunteer said the church was open and I was welcome to wander round and take photos, there were some windows in the nave where it wasn't possible as the pews were full! I did though manage to take rather a lot of photos!
There has been a church on the site for over 800 years and the present church was built in the late 12th century and was extended over the next 350 years. By 1535 the church was more or less the building we see today. The nave, chancel, transepts and lower tower are made of 300 million year old Carboniferous sandstone. Oxides of iron in the sedimentary rock create the red colour. The 15th century upper tower was made of buff-coloured Warwick sandstone from the Triassic Period and the 18th century steeple was built using pale Arden sandstone also from the Triassic.
The church is dedicated to St Alphege. Alphege was born 954 and was Archbishop of Canterbury between 1006 and 1012. In 1011 Danes invaded 9 counties of SE England and besieged Canterbury. On entering the city they killed many and burned buildings and Alphege and other important people were taken in chains to be exchanged for ransoms. Alphege refused to let people pay a ransom for his release and on the Saturday after Easter, 19th April, in a drunken rage Danish soldiers disobeyed their leaders and pelted him with ox bones and stones. One of the soldiers who had recently converted to Christianity put him out of his agony with a blow to the head. Alphege was buried initially at St Pauls in London and in 1023 his remains were removed to Canterbury by King Canute and re-buried. He was canonised in 1078.
Stained glass in the porch - St Simeon and King David
Most of the stained glass is Victorian and there are several windows by C E Kempe including the West Window below which depicts the Tree of Jesse and dates from 1879.
Lectern
Organ decorated with rather endearing cherubims.
Chancel Arch
St Katherine's Chapel where the reredos has paintings of saints.
The Chancel
Stained glass in the East Window was made by William Wailes of Newcastle Upon Tyne. The lower half (1845) depicts Jesus and the four writers of the gospels together with their symbols and the upper half (1867) depicts the Greater Prophets - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel.
The Lower Chapel or The Crypt Chapel of St Francis is medieval. It is an undercroft with a stone rib vault. Sorry the photos are poor - the light was very gloomy! The chapel seen is very much as it was when it was constructed in 1277 when it was used as the chantry priest's chamber and chapel. The original stone altar survives.
Memorial flagstones back in the Chancel
Above the Crypt Chapel of St Francis is the Chantry Chapel of St Alphege - the two storey arrangement of these two chapels is rare. The upper chapel was originally built in 1277 on the instructions of William de Odingsells who founded the chapel for the singing of masses for the souls of his ancestors, himself and his descendents. Sir William was not however buried here as he died in Ireland in 1295 and was buried there. In 1438 an endowment by Thomas Greswold was added. In 1547 all chantries were suppressed.
The Benefactors Window shows crests of these families and also the American Griswold family whose ancestors journeyed from Warwickshire to live in New England in the 1630's.
Coat of Arms of the Greswold family
Coat of Arms of the de Limesi family
Coat of arms of the de Odinsells
Fragments of wall paintings
The East window in this upper chapel is so beautiful. It dates from 1908 and contains details of flora and fauna. It is by Bertram Lamplugh a follower of the Arts and Craft Movement.
Above Window portraying the martyrdom of St Alphege
The church guide does mention a St Alphege's Well - I am not quite sure where this is located and will have to do some research.
I returned now to try and get photos of the stained glass in the Nave (the school rehearsal was still going on!).
Stained glass by Lawrence Lee depicting The Martyrdom of Thomas a Becket.
Five scenes from the Resurrection by C E Kempe (the second photo shows one of his symbols a wheatsheaf).
The Candlemas Window designed by Claude Price in 1977
The font is 13th or 14th century but the stonework was dressed in late Victorian times.
Rectors of Solihull
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera
Reference Church Guide Book to St Alphege
Leaflet "Solihull Its geology and building materials" by Warwickshire Geological Conservation Group - I've finally rediscovered my geology trail leaflet of Solihull
