St Francis of Assisi Church, Bournville - Culture, history and faith

Bournville Parish Church is dedicated to St Francis of Assisi. It was built in the Basilican style in 1925 and was designed by architect W. Alexander Harvey. South Chapel added 1966.


Where is Bournville Parish Church?

Bournville Parish Church (also known as the Church of St Francis of Assisi) is on the corner of Sycamore Road and Linden Road in Bournville, Birmingham,

B30 2AA.

 

In brief

George Cadbury had always wanted an Anglican church in his model village. The Hall was built in 1913, and the church followed in 1925. It was designed by W. Alexander Harvey and was dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi.

Church of St Francis of Assisi, BournvilleChurch of St Francis of Assisi, Bournville (April 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Bournville Parish Church, St Francis of Assisi - history of the build

Bournville Parish Church is dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi (1182 - 1226) who was the patron saint of animals and the environment.

Even though George Cadbury was a Quaker, he had always wanted an Anglican church to be built in his model village of Bournville.

During his lifetime, the Hall was opened in 1913. After his death in 1922, the church was built to the designs of W. Alexander Harvey (who had designed all of Bournville's landmark buildings) and it opened in 1925.

The building has a Roman tile roof, with Lombardic eaves cornice. It was built in the Basilican style in a rounded-arch formation.

The south chapel was later built in 1966.

It was granted Grade II listed building status in 1970.

In 2006, the St Francis window was installed in memory of Pat Fuller, a former Parish Administrator. It was made by local artist Catherine Pinnock.

Church of St Francis of Assisi, BournvilleChurch of St Francis of Assisi, Bournville (April 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Church of St Francis of Assisi, BournvilleChurch of St Francis of Assisi, Bournville (April 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Church of St Francis of Assisi, BournvilleChurch of St Francis of Assisi, Bournville (April 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Bournville Parish ChurchBournville Parish Church St Francis of Assisi (September 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Interior tour of Bournville Parish Church, St Francis of Assisi

On the first Saturday of Birmingham Heritage Week, the Bournville Village Trust holds open days annually at 11 venues throughout the village. This includes Bournville Parish Church, which is free to look around on the ground floor. In September 2021, you have to now sanitise your hands and scan the NHS QR code for track and trace (or fill in the paper form if you don't have the app).

Bournville Parish Church

Bournville Parish Church

Bournville Parish Church

Bournville Parish Church

Bournville Parish Church

Bournville Parish ChurchInteriors of Bournville Parish Church St Francis of Assisi (September 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

South Chapel

Built in 1966 for Laurence and Joyce Cadbury in memory of their children, Julian, Anthea and Lindsay in 1966.

Alexander Lindsay Aitkin Turner (1927 - 1964), Anthea Karen Turner (1936 - 1964) and Julian St. John Cadbury (1926 - 1950).

Bournville Parish Church

Bournville Parish ChurchSouth Chapel at Bournville Parish Church St Francis of Assisi (September 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Contact details

Bournville Parish Church

The Parish Office

St Francis Centre

Sycamore Road

Bournville

Birmingham

B30 2AA

Parish Office: 0121 472 7215 (Ext. 2)
admin@bournvilleparishchurch.org.uk
vicar@bournvilleparishchurch.org.uk

 

Project dates

27 Apr 2021 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, People & community, Classic Architecture
Faith

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Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com