Midland Churches: A History of the Congregations on - General ...

The site chosen for <strong>the</strong> third building <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> society-known now as
<strong>the</strong> Old Meeting Church-is in Bristol Road, and here <strong>the</strong> fille and noble
building, designed by Mr. J. A. Cossins, was erected. It is an excellent
specimen <strong>of</strong> Gothic architecture <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 13th century, or Transition period,
built throughout <strong>of</strong> Hampstead stone, relieved with Hollington stone dres-
sings. The nave is s<strong>of</strong>t. long, 33ft. wide, and s<strong>of</strong>t. high, having north
and south aisles, and north and, south transepts. 'The. raised chancel is
fitted with stalls for <strong>the</strong> numerous surpliced choir, with an organ on <strong>the</strong>
north side, built by Hill and Son, <strong>of</strong> London, for LI,IOO. The sitting
accommodation in <strong>the</strong> church is for 600 persons. There is a great deal
<strong>of</strong> fine carving about <strong>the</strong> church, executed by Mr. Bridgman, <strong>of</strong> Lichfield.
At <strong>the</strong> public banquet on <strong>the</strong> opening day, <strong>the</strong> Rev. Charles Beard,
B.A., in reply to <strong>the</strong> toast <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> " Preacher <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> day," proposed by <strong>the</strong>
Mayor <strong>of</strong> Birmingham, said that this-
was <strong>the</strong> twenty-fifth or twenty-sixth church in which he had preached at
<strong>the</strong> opening, and he could honestly say that <strong>the</strong> last was <strong>the</strong> most beautiful
<strong>of</strong> all.
The large east end window was filled with painted glass in 1893, being
<strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> Richard Peyton esquire. It was dedicated to <strong>the</strong> worship <strong>of</strong>
God, by <strong>the</strong> Rev. Joseph Wood, at <strong>the</strong> morning service on Sunday, 10
September. It represents in pictured story and symbol <strong>the</strong> fundamental
characteristics <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pure and simple religion <strong>of</strong> Jesus Christ. The central
subject depicts our Lord preaching <strong>the</strong> sermon on <strong>the</strong> Mount. Surround-
ing this are <strong>the</strong> Beatitudes written upon scrolls ; emblematical figures <strong>of</strong>
Hope, Love, Truth, and Faith are introduced ; and in <strong>the</strong> side lights are
<strong>the</strong> subjects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> martyrdom <strong>of</strong> St. Stephen, and <strong>the</strong> interview <strong>of</strong> St. Peter
and Cornelius. The drawings are free from <strong>the</strong> stiff angularities <strong>of</strong>ten seen,
and <strong>the</strong> colouring is rich and refined. The whole work was done at <strong>the</strong>
studio <strong>of</strong> Messrs. Heaton, Bt~tler, and Baines.
On <strong>the</strong> vestry table is a massive inkstand, part <strong>of</strong> which consists <strong>of</strong> a
brass dove, with outstretched wings. This dove was <strong>the</strong> centre ornament
<strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> brass candelabra in <strong>the</strong> first meeting-house, and was found
amongst <strong>the</strong> debris <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> second after <strong>the</strong> burning in 1791. Mr. Samuel
Whitfield, <strong>of</strong> Leamington, to whom it belonged, had it bronzed when he
had <strong>the</strong> inkstand made, and presented it to <strong>the</strong> congregation. he church
also owns <strong>the</strong> two oak chairs (dated about 1791) which were formerly used
in <strong>the</strong> Old Meeting-house.
49
The communion-plate consists <strong>of</strong> 10 pieces, viz.
(4) silver,
5Hin. tall, bell with plain band round it, foot, 2 handles. London date
letter, 1787-88. Flagons (2) silver, 13gin. tall, lid, handle, no beak, plain.
London date letter, 1787-88. Patens (4) silver. Inscription on rim " Old
Meeting Chzrrclz, 1865." In centre, I.H.S. London date letter, 1885-86 ;
given by Messrs. Prime and Son on <strong>the</strong> occasion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rebuilding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
church.
The Registers in custody <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Registrar-General in Somerset House,
Strand, are :-
I. Births, Baptisms
11. ,, 9 ,
WILLIART TURTON,
Issue, Samuel, min. Kenilworth.
d. 1716.
cf. Noncon. Mem. ii., 400.
M.A., min. Rowley Regis, Staffs., ej. 1662 ; Birmingham, 1686-1716 ;
DANIEL GREENWOOD,
Oldbury, 1700-1730 ; principal supply at West Bromwich, 1711-2718.
cf. Toulmin's Historical View, 1814, p. 560.
ed. Sheriff-hales, by John Woodhouse ; min. Birmingham, 1700-1730 ;
EDWARD BRODHURST, b. 1691, in Derbyshire ; ed. Findern Academy, by Thomas Hill ;
min. Birmingham, 1714-1730 ; Oldbury, 1714-1730 ; Issue, George, min. Alcester.
July, 1730; bur. St. Philip's Churchyard, Birmingham.
cf. Wreford, pp. 32, 54; Beale, p. 44; epitaph by Dr. Watts on memorial stone
formerly in New Meeting.
DANIEL MATTOCK, min. Daventry ; Birmingham, 1732-1746 ; Oldbury, 1732-1746.
rf. Wreford, p. 34 ; Beale, p. 44.
JOSEPH WILKINSON, b. at Warley, Yorks ; ed. Northampton Academy, by Dr. Doddridge,
1733- ; min. Birmingham, 1739-1756 ; Oldbury, 1739-1756; resigned ministry for
commerce; Issue, Phoebe (nz. 1775, Thomas Astley, min. Chesterfield, 1773-1813).
(i. September, 1780, at Chesterfield.
c$ M.R., 1815, P. 686. ; Wreford, p. 34 ; Beale, p. 45.
WILLIAM HOWELL, b. [I7141 ; ed. Caermar<strong>the</strong>n, Pres. Coll. ; min. Wincanton, Somersetshire,
1740- ; Birmingham, 1746-1770 ; Oldbury, 1746-1770 ; school at Winson Green,
West Bromwich, without charge, 1770-1776 ; Issue, William, min. Swansea, 1786-1814,
daughter (m. - Phipson), Sarah (m. - Fletcher), Mary (m. Joseph Rogers), daughter
(m. Samuel Rogers).
Q February, 1776, zt. 62 ; bur. West Bromwich Churchyard.
cf; M.R., 1822, p. 743 ; VJreford, p. 35 ; Beale, p. 45.
.-