Description

SP 09 SE 3/16
5104
25.4.52

BIRMINGHAM
HAMSTEAD ROAD
Lozells B19
Church of St Mary

(Formerly listed under Handsworth)

II*

Of C12-early C13 origin but much enlarged and rebuilt completely in the C19. Red
sandstone with nave, aisles, chancel and south tower. In a Decorated style.
Some of the C19 detailing apparently unfinished. The lower stage of the tower
with shallow square buttresses gives evidence of the earliest work; upper part
with crenellated parapet C15. The C19 rebuilding programme began in 1820 when
the first major changes were executed by William Hollins who rebuilt the north
arcade and aisle with the addition of a spacious north transept and body beyond.
The south east chapel in a single Decorated Gothic style was added in 1826 by
Thomas Rickman as a mausoleum to James Watt whose white marble statue by Chantrey
of 1825 it contained. Further alterations and additions followed in 1876-80
altering part of Hollins work to the designs of J A Chatwyn. His work comprises
the rebuilding of the south aisle and the extension of the body of the church to
the west and the chancel to the east. At this time the north transept was narrowed
and an outer north aisle constructed. The north chapel retains an early C16
3-light east window and a similar one to the north. In the west end of its north
wall, a 4 centred arched doorway opening on to an early C18 porch. Reset early
C14 piscina east of the arcade. The south chapel with simple early C19 Gothic
detail including a vaulted ceiling and east window. In the west wall of the tower
giving on the south aisle is a small blocked round headed window with moulded string
over seemingly late C12 origin. Among the furnishings are a good wall monument by
Flaxman consisting of a bust of Matthew Boulton + 18O9 with 2 putti below one of
them holding a picture of the Soho Works and another monument to William Murdoch +
1839 consisting of a stone bust by Chantrey set in a pointed arch. Also a number
of minor monuments by William and Peter Hollins. The church is set in a leafy
churchyard with very many and varied monuments.

Listing NGR: SP0557190308

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• St Mary's Church at Wikipedia
• St Mary's Church official website
• Wikidata Q7594339

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Huddersfield in 50 Buildings
• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)