St Mary's Church, Handsworth - Culture, history and faith

St Mary's Church can be found on Hamstead Road in Handsworth. It has 12th and 13th century origins but was mostly rebuilt in the 19th century. A statue to James Watt is in a chapel here.


Where is St. Mary's Church, Handsworth?

St Mary's Parish Church, Handsworth is on Hamstead Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, B20 2RW. It is next to Handsworth Park.

 

In brief

Handsworth Old Church dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, although the current building was mostly rebuilt in the 19th century.

It is known as the Cathedral of the Industrial Revolution and there are monuments at the church to Matthew Boulton, James Watt and William Murdoch. These famous people were instrumental in the growth of Birmingham as an industrial heartland and are buried in the churchyard.

St. Mary's Church has been a Grade II* listed building since 1952.

St Mary's Church, HandsworthSt Mary's Church, Handsworth (September 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Church of St Mary in Handsworth - history of the build

With origins in the 12th or 13th centuries, the church was completely rebuilt and enlarged during the 19th century.

It is built of red sandstone in the Decorated style.

The first major rebuilt took place during 1820 under William Hollins. He rebuilt the north arcade and aisle. The south east chapel was added by Thomas Rickman in 1826, in the Decorated Gothic style, as a mausoleum to James Watt.

Further additions and alterations took place from 1876 to 1880 under J A Chatwin. He rebuilt the south aisle of the extension and to the church at the west and chancel to the east.

There is a momument to Matthew Boulton by Flaxman dated 1809, and one for William Murdoch dated 1839. There is also a number of minor monuments by William and Peter Hollins.

Matthew Boulton and James Watt are buried in the churchyard.

Also buried here is William McGregor, a former Director of Aston Villa FC who helped found the Football League in 1888 and George Ramsey, who was the founder of Aston Villa.

It has been a Grade II* listed building since 1952.

St Mary's Church, Handsworth

St Mary's Church, Handsworth

St Mary's Church, Handsworth

St Mary's Church, HandsworthSt Mary's Church, Handsworth (September 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Stunning interior of St Mary's Church, Handsworth

A heritage open day during Birmingham Heritage Week gives you an opportunity to have a free look around the inside of this historic church. The memorials to Boulton, Watt & Murdoch are at the far end.

St Mary's Handsworth

St Mary's Handsworth

St Mary's Handsworth

St Mary's Handsworth

St Mary's HandsworthSt Mary's Church, Handsworth (September 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown


 

Stained glass windows at St Mary's Church, Handsworth

Here is two examples of the stained glass windows that you can find at St Mary's Church in Handsworth.

Stained glass window St Marys Handsworth

Stained glass window St Marys HandsworthStained glass windows at St Mary's Church, Handsworth (September 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Objects inside of St Mary's Church, Handsworth

The typical church furniture you will find here such as an organ, a piano, a pulpit, a lectern, plus somewhere to light a candle.

Stained glass window St Marys Handsworth

Stained glass window St Marys Handsworth

St Mary's Handsworth

Stained glass window St Marys Handsworth

Stained glass window St Marys HandsworthObjects at St Mary's Church, Handsworth (September 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Marble Statue of James Watt

The statue of James Watt (1736 - 1819) can be found in the James Watt Memorial Chapel . The marble statue was sculpted by Francis Legatt Chantrey.

James Watt St Mary's HandsworthStatue of James Watt at St Mary's Church, Handsworth (September 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Memorials to Matthew Boulton and William Murdoch

They can be found in the sancturary part of the church. Although they had spelt "Murdoch" as "Murdock".

 

Matthew Boulton (1728 - 1809)

Matthew Boulton St Marys HandsworthMatthew Boulton memorial at St Mary's Church, Handsworth (September 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

William Murdoch (1754 - 1839)

William Murdock St Marys HandsworthWilliam Murdock memorial at St Mary's Church, Handsworth (September 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

Contact details

St Mary's Church, Handsworth

Hamstead Road

Handsworth

Birmingham

B20 2RW

0121 554 3407 or 07957 312892

Project dates

03 May 2021 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Civic pride, Classic Architecture
Faith

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Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com