Monday 28 August 2017

Churches (8) : St John the Evangelist, Walmley

Walmley is located inbetween Erdington and Sutton Coldfield in North East Birmingham. St. John's Church was built in 1845 as the parish church for the community funded by Lucy Riland, a relative of the Rector of Sutton Coldfield and Joseph Webster owner of the nearby Penns Mill wire factory.

It was designed in the Norman style by well known local architect Daniel R. Hill and constructed from Staffordshire blue brick, the decision to use brick instead of stone causing some criticism though was the fashion at the time. An extension including a new nave was built on the church in the late 1980s. The original church being converted into offices, meeting rooms and a kitchen.

The church has a 4 bay nave with a short chancel. An organ loft was added in 1913 out of a former vestry.


Original church (on right) is linked to the newer part via a short steel lobby