St George's Church, Kidderminster

St George’s Church, Kidderminser
The Church of St George, Kidderminster
Map
LocationKidderminster
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
History
DedicationSt George
Architecture
Heritage designationGrade II* listed[1]
Architect(s)Francis Goodwin
Architectural typePerpendicular Gothic
Completed24 October 1824[2]
Specifications
MaterialsBath stone
Administration
DioceseDiocese of Worcester
ArchdeaconryArchdeaconry of Dudley
DeaneryKidderminster Deanery
ParishKidderminster East Team Ministry

St George's Church, Kidderminster is a Church of England parish church in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England. The church is a Grade II* listed building.[1]

History

St George’s Church was a Commissioners' church designed by architect Francis Goodwin. Its grant of just over £17,000 (equivalent to £1,889,600 in 2023),[3] was the third-largest given by the commission to any church outside London.[4] It opened in 1824.

A fire which originated in the belfry destroyed the interior of the church on 20 November 1922[5] and it was restored by Giles Gilbert Scott.

Incumbents

  • William Villiers 1824 - 1842
  • John Downall 1842 - 1847
  • Thomas Baker Morrell 1847[6] - 1852
  • Charles John McQueen Mottram 1852 - 1872[7]
  • Frederic Rawlins Evans 1872 - 1876[8]
  • Stephen Brown Bathe 1876[9] - 1887
  • Theobald W. Church 1887 - 1915
  • Albert Edward Riland Bedford 1915[10] - 1918
  • Robert Hume Stephen 1918 - 1932[11]
  • Benjamin John Isaacs 1932[12] - 1940
  • P.J. Martin 1940 - 1959
  • Canon L.W. Chidzey 1959 - 1968[13]
  • H. Edward Montague-Youens from 1969[14] - 1972
  • Peter D. Chippendale 1972 - 1976[15]
  • Andrew John Piggott until 1994
  • Canon Nick Barker until 2007[16]
  • David Hildred from 2020

Organ

The church obtained a pipe organ in 1828 by Elliot and Hill. In 1869 this was rebuilt by Hill but was destroyed in the fire of 1922. In 1929 a new organ was installed by G.H.C. Foskett. The organ currently comprises 3 manuals and pedals with 45 speaking stops. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[17]

Organists

  • C.S. Herve 1836[18] - 1837
  • Charles Baldwin from 1837[19]
  • W. White ca. 1841
  • James Fitzgerald 1850 - 1895[20] (formerly assistant organist at Bristol Cathedral, from 1850 to 1868 also choirmaster at St Mary’s)
  • Frank Thornton 1896[21] - 1900 (formerly organist at St Cuthbert’s Church, Birmingham)
  • C. Milton Bill from1900[22] (formerly organist at Newport Parish Church, Isle of Wight)
  • Richard Alfred Taylor
  • Harold Evers ca. 1941 until 1976
  • Tim Morris from 1976

References

  1. ^ a b Historic England, "Church of St George (1100088)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 30 October 2022
  2. ^ "St. George's Chapel, Kidderminster". Worcester Journal. England. 28 October 1824. Retrieved 30 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ^ UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  4. ^ A History of Kidderminster, Nigel Gilbert, 2004, Phillimore, ISBN 1-8607-7309-5. p89 and p102
  5. ^ "Disastrous fire at St. George's, Kidderminster". Evening Desptach. England. 20 November 1922. Retrieved 30 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ "Preferments". Monmouthshire Beacon. Wales. 13 November 1847. Retrieved 31 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "Deaths". John Bull. England. 6 April 1872. Retrieved 31 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ^ "Clerical Appointment". Wolverhampton Express and Star. England. 7 April 1876. Retrieved 31 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. ^ "The New Vicar of St George's". Kidderminster Times and Advertiser for Bewdley & Stourport. England. 28 October 1876. Retrieved 31 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. ^ "St George's Kidderminster". Birmingham Daily Post. England. 12 April 1915. Retrieved 31 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. ^ "To Leave Kidderminster". Birmingham Daily Gazette. England. 23 April 1932. Retrieved 31 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. ^ "Kidderminster Vicar". Birmingham Daily Gazette. England. 3 October 1932. Retrieved 31 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  13. ^ "Vicar's Move". Birmingham Daily Post. England. 24 July 1968. Retrieved 31 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  14. ^ "Vicar's Move". Birmingham Daily Post. England. 20 January 1969. Retrieved 31 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  15. ^ "Vicar moves to the Lickeys". Birmingham Mail. England. 13 September 1976. Retrieved 31 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  16. ^ "Vicar to miss 'special' place after 20 years". Kidderminster Shuttle. 5 January 2007. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  17. ^ "The National Pipe Organ Register". Npor.org.uk. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  18. ^ "Mr. C.S. Herve". Worcestershire Chronicle. England. 3 February 1836. Retrieved 30 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  19. ^ "Mr. Charles Baldwin". Worcester Journal. England. 4 May 1837. Retrieved 30 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  20. ^ "Death of Notable Organist at Kidderminster". Worcestershire Chronicle. England. 7 December 1895. Retrieved 30 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  21. ^ "Kidderminster". Worcestershire Chronicle. England. 4 January 1896. Retrieved 30 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  22. ^ "Organ Appointment". Dudley Herald. England. 9 June 1900. Retrieved 30 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.

52°23′25.08″N 2°14′33″W / 52.3903000°N 2.24250°W / 52.3903000; -2.24250