Christ Church And Associated Gate Piers, Gates, Boundary Wall And Railings

Christ Church and Associated Gate Piers, Gates, Boundary Wall and Railings

The Anglican Christ Church on Burney Lane in Ward End, Birmingham, was designed by architect Holland W. Hobbiss and built between 1933 and 1935 by the firm William Deacon & Son of Lichfield. The church represents a variation of Romanesque style with Arts and Crafts influence.

The building is constructed of brown brick in English Garden Wall bond, with stone and brick tile dressings and a plain tile roof. It is orientated north to south, though the description uses the liturgical compass points of east and west. The plan comprises a broad, basilican nave with north and south aisles, chancel, transepts, and a north transept incorporating a side chapel. A gallery occupies the west end, beneath which is the baptistery.

The exterior features a west tower approached by three steps, with a slightly projecting brick porch. The double doors have horizontal timbers and a stone surround with square Doric pilasters supporting an entablature. Above the doors is the inscription "Introite Atria Ejus in Hymnis" (Enter His Gates with Praise). The tympanum contains a stone relief of the Good Shepherd gazing at His flock, carved by sculptor William Bloye. The tower above the porch has a tripartite window with tiled round-headed arches, surmounted by a stone cross with a relief of a lamb at its centre, also by Bloye. Pairs of round-headed louvered windows appear on the tower's side elevations. Single storey gable end projections flank either side of the tower. The nave has two pairs of clerestorey windows to the east end; the aisles have pairs of round-headed windows within tiled arches, divided by three-quarter round pilasters with cushion capitals. The nave bays are divided by buttresses. A single storey Church Hall projects from the north elevation, with the north doorway and tympanum of the church relocated to the hall entrance.

The interior displays square brick pillars supporting exposed brick round transverse arches to the nave and a triple chancel arch. The aisles to the west end are open, with brick arches at the upper level at right angles to the nave arches. The brick arches frame the clerestorey windows, below which are pairs of round arch openings with dividing round stone pillars with cushion capitals. The north transept side chapel is lined with wooden panelling. Two steps lead to the chancel, which has three round arch windows to either side and a small oval east window depicting the Holy Spirit. The chancel features a coffered ceiling of cedar wood from Lebanon, in accordance with the Old Testament passage 1 Kings 5 verse 6. The sanctuary has a black and white marble tiled floor; the remainder of the church floor consists of parquet wood blocks. The chancel contains a stone pulpit and stone lectern designed by Hobbiss in 1955 as a memorial to Canon Dugmore. The baptistery at the west end contains a stone font mounted on a black marble platform, with bas-relief carving of the symbols of Baptism and Sacrifice in the manner of Bloye. A stained glass memorial window is dated 1921. The staircase leading to the gallery has brick tile risers and stone treads. The church retains its original oak chairs and light fittings, consisting of three lights with a cross to the centre. The fenestration throughout is original and includes stained glass windows with symbolic depictions: to the south aisle, "Peace and Prosperity" paired with "Solitude", and "Temptation" paired with "Fortitude"; to the north aisle, "Purity and Strength" paired with "Vigilance", and "Ascension" paired with "Sacrifice" (misspelt), to the north aisle.

The associated gate piers have niches to their north side and are fitted with wrought iron gates. Low brick walls surmounted by railings complete the boundary treatment.

The building's history begins in 1933 when architect Holland W. Hobbiss (1880–1970) submitted plans for the daughter church of St Margaret's at a total cost of £11,500. William Deacon & Son of Lichfield was awarded the building contract, and the foundation stone was laid on 12 May 1934. Christ Church was consecrated on 29 June 1935. In 1951 the side chapel was furnished with oak panelling and a carved altar salvaged from the redundant St Stephen's Church on Newton Row. Christ Church became a parish church on 28 May 1965. The attached Church Hall, designed by Noel Hastilow, a partner in Hobbiss' firm, was erected in 1968.