St George in the Fields, Hockley

St George in the Fields, Hockley is a former Church of England parish church in Birmingham. Built in 1822, it was enlarged in the late 19th century and demolished in 1961. The tomb of architect Thomas Rickman remains a listed structure on the site.

St George in the Fields, Hockley
St George in the Fields
Map
52°29′27.24″N 1°54′17.28″W / 52.4909000°N 1.9048000°W / 52.4909000; -1.9048000
LocationBirmingham
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
History
DedicationSt George
Consecrated6 August 1822
Architecture
Architect(s)Thomas Rickman
StyleDecorated Gothic
Completed1819
Construction cost£12,735
Demolished1961
Specifications
Capacity1,959 people

History

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The church was the first of the Commissioner's churches in Birmingham. It was designed by Thomas Rickman in the Decorated Gothic style and built by Benjamin Nowell and Sons.[1] It was consecrated on 6 August 1822 by the Bishop of Chester.[2]

A parish was assigned out of St Martin in the Bull Ring in 1830. The church was enlarged in 1883 at a cost of £2,300 with the addition of a chancel and organ chamber by Bateman and Corser.[3]

In 1856, part of its parish was taken to form the parish of St Matthias' Church, Farm Street, Birmingham.

The church was demolished in 1961.

Tomb of Thomas Rickman

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Tomb of Thomas Rickman

The architect Thomas Rickman was buried in the churchyard in 1841, and his tomb is now a listed structure.

Organ

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The church had a pipe organ by Elliott, later modified by Bishop & Banfield. The organ was rebuilt in a new organ chamber in 1883 by Nicholson and Ward of Walsall. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[4]

References

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  1. ^ A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers in Great Britain and Ireland. 1500-1830. A.W. Skempton. Thomas Telford. 2002
  2. ^ "Consecration". Northampton Mercury. Birmingham. 10 August 1822. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  3. ^ "Reopening of St George's Church, Birmingham". Northampton Mercury. Birmingham. 14 March 1883. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  4. ^ "NPOR [N07327]". National Pipe Organ Register. British Institute of Organ Studies. Retrieved 7 March 2015.