St John the Baptist's Church, Longbridge

St John the Baptist’s Church, Longbridge is a parish church in the Church of England in Birmingham.[1]

St John the Baptist’s Church, Longbridge
St John the Baptist’s Church, Longbridge
52°23′41.59″N 1°58′30.96″W
LocationLongbridge
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
WebsiteLongbridge Parish Church
History
DedicationSt John the Baptist
Consecrated1957
Architecture
Architect(s)G H While
Groundbreaking1956
Completed1957
Administration
ParishLongbridge
DeaneryKings Norton
ArchdeaconryBirmingham
DioceseAnglican Diocese of Birmingham

History

The church was designed by G H While[2] of Bromilow, While and Smeaton. The church was consecrated in 1957 and a parish was formed from St Nicolas' Church, Kings Norton at the same time. It was built to serve the expanding car making area around the Longbridge plant.

The church is noted for five oak statues on the mullions of the west window designed by G H While and carved by the Robert Pancheri of Bromsgrove. The central figure is of St John the Baptist holding a cross, with a lamb lying on the Bible. Around him are depictions of Elijah with a raven, Isaiah with a branch, Ezekiel with a wheel and Jeremiah with a scroll.[3]

The church was used by the architect as a model for St Boniface’s Church, Quinton which was built 2 years later.

Organ

A two manual organ from St Thomas in the Moors, Balsall Heath was installed in 1958 by Nicholson and Co of Worcester. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[4]

References
  1. The Buildings of England. Warwickshire. Nikolaus Pevsner. Penguin Books.
  2. "St John the Baptist, Longbridge". A Church Near You. The Church of England. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  3. Public Sculpture of Birmingham. George T. Noszlopy. Liverpool University Press. 1998. ISBN 9780853236924
  4. "NPOR D02875". National Pipe Organ Register. British Institute of Organ Studies. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
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