Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and St Therese of Lisieux

Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and St Therese of Lisieux

A Roman Catholic parish church built between 1932 and 1934, and repaired and restored in the 1940s. It was designed by George Drysdale in the Lombard style, an architectural approach that draws together Early-Christian and Romanesque elements. The stained glass windows were all designed and made by Hardman and Co., while the mosaic work was executed by Richards Tiles Ltd of Tunstall, with mosaic roundels designed by Elphege Pippet. The attached presbytery is not included in the listing as it is not of special architectural or historic interest.

The building is constructed of red brick with reconstituted stone or plaster dressings and has Westmorland slate roofs. The plan is roughly cruciform and basilican in character, with orientation towards the ritual compass points and the sanctuary positioned at the north-east end. Access is via a narthex with organ gallery above, which leads into a three-bay nave flanked by north and south aisles. Each aisle contains a confessional, with the south aisle also providing access to the south porch. At the west end of the aisles are a baptistry and side chapel. The central crossing is surmounted by a tower and is flanked by north and south transepts, each with side altars. The chancel and apsidal sanctuary occupy the east end, with the sacristy positioned in the south-east corner. A separate chapel projects from the east side of the south transept.

The gabled west elevation is flanked by lean-to north and south aisles. The west entrance comprises three arched openings with plain inscribed tympana. Above this is a large recessed arch containing two single-light windows, the papal arms in mosaic, and a stone statue of St Thérèse beneath a timber canopy. The eaves contain Lombard-character arches rising to a statue of the Virgin and Child at the gable apex. The side elevations are plain, with paired windows in plastered surrounds serving the aisles and clerestory. The transept gable ends feature Lombard eaves, offset buttresses, and three tall single-light windows set within shallow recessed round arches. The south transept displays Portland stone statues of St Peter and St Paul, each set within a niche to a buttress. A single-storey chapel connecting the east end of the south transept to the presbytery contains two triple-light round-arched windows with plastered surrounds. The apsidal east end is of plain brick. The broad square tower rising over the central crossing contains arched openings for a twenty-three-bell carillon and is surmounted by a shallow pyramidal roof with Lombard eaves cornice beneath. A staircase turret projects from the north-east corner of the bell tower.

The interior is entered through doors leading to a narthex with mosaic dado and two large marble holy water stoups. Hardwood glazed doors separate the narthex from the nave, and above is the organ gallery with a projecting timber front painted with cardinal armorial shields and two plaques commemorating the International Eucharistic Congress. The nave features a three-bay arcade of plain round arches on square piers clad in coloured marble. Five pairs of clerestory stained glass windows depict the Mysteries of the Rosary, as do windows in the transepts and sanctuary; the Annunciation window in the sanctuary is a later addition. The nave roof comprises open timber trusses of Early-Christian character. A mosaic dado encircles the church perimeter, incorporating fleur de lys and roundels displaying the arms of the pope, bishops, the archbishop who consecrated the church, old Catholic families of Saltley, and modern benefactors. Above the dado are mosaic consecration crosses of the twelve apostles, designed by Elphege Pippet. The Stations of the Cross consist of hand-carved oak frames with French terracotta plaques.

The baptistry, located at the west end of the north aisle, is fitted with wrought iron gates, a marble font with domed marble cover, and a stained glass window depicting the Baptism of Christ. At the west end of the south aisle stands a replica of Michelangelo's Pieta set within an arched recess with a marble altar beneath. Each transept contains two side altars within round-arched recesses with marble altars and altar rails: the Sacred Heart and St Therese to the north, and Our Lady of the Rosary and St Anne to the south. A foundation stone from the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth is set into the wall of the Lady Chapel and protected by an iron grille. The chancel is separated from the nave by an arcaded white marble altar rail with iron gates, and marble pulpits with blind arcading are positioned to either side of the chancel. Carved oak chancel benches flank the set-forward marble altar. The sanctuary apse is lined with mosaic and features at its centre a baldacchino carried on marble Corinthian columns, with the semi-dome inlaid with blue and gold mosaic. Beneath this, the tabernacle rests on a marble altar depicting the Agnus Dei resting on the Book of Revelation sealed with the seven seals. The separate chapel to the east of the south transept is fitted with a wrought iron screen at its east end.