{"id":21205,"date":"2024-04-13T06:10:06","date_gmt":"2024-04-13T06:10:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demo.stackiz.in\/church\/stj-wp\/?page_id=21205"},"modified":"2024-04-13T06:10:10","modified_gmt":"2024-04-13T06:10:10","slug":"the-history-of-st-josephs-church","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/demo.stackiz.in\/church\/stj-wp\/the-history-of-st-josephs-church\/","title":{"rendered":"The History of St Joseph\u2019s Church"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

History of Saint Joseph\u2019s Church Thimblemill Lane <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nechells Birmingham B7 5QS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nechells lies to the north east of Birmingham. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For over 800 years people have lived here and there have been many changes over these years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nechells was in the parish of Aston. The area was mainly rural (until the late 18th<\/sup>century)  and the people depended on agriculture to live. The land was often rented from the local landlord for grazing animals and crop growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1838 Nechells became part of the borough of Birmingham. With the rapid expansion of industries and higher wages these provided, people surged into the area. It was the era of the industrial revolution and it impacted Nechells very much. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canals and railways were built and factories flourished. Some examples of industries were: the metal industry (guns, screws, tools, nails etc), brass foundries, button factories and jewellers. As well as large factories there were workshops of various sizes, some being converted houses and only having a few workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The population of Nechells and Duddeston was: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

9 farms and some cottages in 1758<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

30,000 people by the 1850\u2019s<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

65,000 people by 1901<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Industrial revolution and the Irish immigration of the famine years of 1848\/1849 had greatly increased the Catholic population in Birmingham and Nechells in particular. Italians also settled in nearby St Bartholomew\u2019s Ward from 1850 onwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before 1850 Mass was celebrated at the home of Mrs Jane Wheatley by a priest from St Chad\u2019s Cathedral. Her son was to become the Very Rev Dean Wheatley. Mrs Wheatley died on 22nd<\/sup> January 1901 aged 85 years and is buried in St Joseph\u2019s Cemetery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1850 the Chancel of Saint Josephs Church was built as a mortuary Chapel for the new Catholic Cemetery in Thimblemill Lane, the first Catholic Cemetery in the city of Birmingham. The Chapel was designed by the very renowned architect Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin and built in Bath stone at a cost of \u00a3800.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 18th<\/sup> September 1850 the Chapel and Cemetery were consecrated by Dr W B Ullathorne, who was then Vicar Apostolic to the Midlands, but shortly afterwards became the first Catholic Bishop of Birmingham since the Reformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For 17 years Saint Joseph\u2019s was used as a mortuary chapel and for funerals for Catholics in the city of Birmingham. It also became a Mass centre served by priests from St Chad\u2019s Cathedral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in 1867 a mission was established at Nechells and Father (later Canon) William Greaney was the first resident priest who lived in Lichfield Road until a school was built in the grounds of the Church. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first marriage ceremony was performed by Father Greaney on 13th<\/sup> July 1867. The school was opened in 1868.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By 1870 the Cemetery Chapel was too small and Bishop Ullathorne gave permission for its extension. A Baazar, lasting six days, was held in Birmingham Town Hall and raised \u00a3656 for the extension of the Chapel. The Pope, Pius IX, gave a cameo brooch to be raffled. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The building of the Nave started in July 1871 and was completed the following April.  It was designed by AWN Pugin\u2019s son Edward W Pugin. The cost of the Nave and adjoining house was \u00a32658. There were two stained beautiful glass windows in the Church, one by Hardman and the other by Evans of Smethwick. Others were added later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 1877 -1878 census showed that here were approx. 2,200 Catholics in the Parish.  By 1884 the parish covered nearly 10 square miles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canon Arthur Chattaway was appointed parish priest in 1885. He served the Parish until his death in 1922 and was held in very high regard by his parishioners. He was very involved in educational work in the diocese also.  He extended the school in St Josephs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canon Chattaway invited the Sister\u2019s of Charity of Saint Paul to come to work in the school in 1868. They lived 143 Nechells Park Road until 1953 when they moved back to live in St Pauls Convent, Selly Park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1968 a new school was built in Rocky Lane and was blessed on 9th<\/sup> December 1970 by Archbishop Patrick Dwyer. The old schools were in need of repair and were eventually demolished. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The church was restored and redecorated after the Second World War by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott<\/a>. The interior was again restored in 2001<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first world war there was demolition of some of the worst slums in the area but little new building. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More development took place in the 1970\u2019s and 1980\u2019s when houses were demolished and new ones were built including Tower Blocks. The population of the area was depleted and there were fewer Catholics in the area. However the Catholic school continued to grow in numbers and when the Presentation Sisters came to the Parish at the invitation of Father Gerry McArdle in 1997 there was a closer link developed between the Church and school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sister Bernadette involved the children in Sunday Mass and started the Children\u2019s liturgy. More parents got involved also. The Journey in Faith was started by Father Gerry and Sister Bernadette and every year we had new members joining the Church at Easter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For some years in the 1990\u2019s and until 2008 the Parish was involved in community organising, known as \u2018Birmingham Citizens.\u2019 The Parish collaborated with other groups of people of Faith and none to improve the lives of people who were voiceless and living in poor conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At present our Parish priest is Father Solomon Ghebray and he is also Parish Priest of St<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vincents Church, Vauxhall Road. The two Churches collaborate and hope to continue to do this so together we can promote the reign of God in this area. Father Solomon is also National Chaplain to the Eritrean community in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holy Mass in celebrated every Sunday in Saint Joseph\u2019s at 9.45am and in Saint Vincents at 11.00am<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daily Mass in St Vincent\u2019s at 11.00 every day apart from Wednesday when it is celebrated in Saint Vincent\u2019s School, at 9.30am and in Saint Joseph\u2019s School at 2.15pm and in St Joseph\u2019s Church at 12.00 every Friday. Parishioners and parents are invited to attend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also have prayer groups in St Joseph\u2019s on Friday at 12.30pm and on the first Wednesday of the month in St Vincent\u2019s at 7.00pm. All are invited to attend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Journey in Faith sessions are in St Joseph\u2019s at present at 12.00 noon on Wednesday but this time can be changed to suit those who wish to find out more about the Faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Young Christian Workers group meet each Friday at 7.00pm at Saint Joseph\u2019s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Alcoholics Anonymous group meet at Saint Joseph\u2019s on Wednesday at 11.30am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Parish Council work closely with Father Solomon to develop the work of the Church and to promote the reign of God in this area of Birmingham and to continue to glorify God by celebrating Holy Mass regularly, inspired by the example of Mrs Jane Wheatley who opened her home to the priests from St Chad\u2019s in 1850. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

May God be continually glorified in Saint Joseph\u2019s Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(This account of the history of the Parish is based on a history of Saint Joseph\u2019s Parish by Mr Michael Hodgetts)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

History of Saint Joseph\u2019s Church Thimblemill Lane  Nechells Birmingham B7 5QS Nechells lies to the north east of Birmingham.  For over 800 years people have lived here and there have been many changes over these years. Nechells was in the parish of Aston. The area was mainly rural (until the late 18thcentury)  and the people depended on agriculture to live. The land was often rented from the local landlord for grazing animals and crop growing. In 1838 Nechells became part of the borough of Birmingham. With the rapid expansion of industries and higher wages these provided, people surged into the area. It was the era of the industrial revolution and it impacted Nechells very much.  Canals and railways were built and factories flourished. Some examples of industries were: the metal industry (guns, screws, tools, nails etc), brass foundries, button factories and jewellers. As well as large factories there were workshops of various sizes, some being converted houses and only having a few workers. The population of Nechells and Duddeston was:  9 farms and some cottages in 1758 30,000 people by the 1850\u2019s 65,000 people by 1901 The Industrial revolution and the Irish immigration of the famine years of 1848\/1849 had greatly increased the Catholic population in Birmingham and Nechells in particular. Italians also settled in nearby St Bartholomew\u2019s Ward from 1850 onwards. Before 1850 Mass was celebrated at the home of Mrs Jane Wheatley by a priest from St Chad\u2019s Cathedral. Her son was to become the Very Rev Dean Wheatley. Mrs Wheatley died on 22nd January 1901 aged 85 years and is buried in St Joseph\u2019s Cemetery. In 1850 the Chancel of Saint Josephs Church was built as a mortuary Chapel for the new Catholic Cemetery in Thimblemill Lane, the first Catholic Cemetery in the city of Birmingham. The Chapel was designed by the very renowned architect Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin and built in Bath stone at a cost of \u00a3800. On 18th September 1850 the Chapel and Cemetery were consecrated by Dr W B Ullathorne, who was then Vicar Apostolic to the Midlands, but shortly afterwards became the first Catholic Bishop of Birmingham since the Reformation. For 17 years Saint Joseph\u2019s was used as a mortuary chapel and for funerals for Catholics in the city of Birmingham. It also became a Mass centre served by priests from St Chad\u2019s Cathedral. However, in 1867 a mission was established at Nechells and Father (later Canon) William Greaney was the first resident priest who lived in Lichfield Road until a school was built in the grounds of the Church.  The first marriage ceremony was performed by Father Greaney on 13th July 1867. The school was opened in 1868. By 1870 the Cemetery Chapel was too small and Bishop Ullathorne gave permission for its extension. A Baazar, lasting six days, was held in Birmingham Town Hall and raised \u00a3656 for the extension of the Chapel. The Pope, Pius IX, gave a cameo brooch to be raffled.  The building of the Nave started in July 1871 and was completed the following April.  It was designed by AWN Pugin\u2019s son Edward W Pugin. The cost of the Nave and adjoining house was \u00a32658. There were two stained beautiful glass windows in the Church, one by Hardman and the other by Evans of Smethwick. Others were added later.  The 1877 -1878 census showed that here were approx. 2,200 Catholics in the Parish.  By 1884 the parish covered nearly 10 square miles. Canon Arthur Chattaway was appointed parish priest in 1885. He served the Parish until his death in 1922 and was held in very high regard by his parishioners. He was very involved in educational work in the diocese also.  He extended the school in St Josephs.  Canon Chattaway invited the Sister\u2019s of Charity of Saint Paul to come to work in the school in 1868. They lived 143 Nechells Park Road until 1953 when they moved back to live in St Pauls Convent, Selly Park.  In 1968 a new school was built in Rocky Lane and was blessed on 9th December 1970 by Archbishop Patrick Dwyer. The old schools were in need of repair and were eventually demolished.  The church was restored and redecorated after the Second World War by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. The interior was again restored in 2001. After the first world war there was demolition of some of the worst slums in the area but little new building.  More development took place in the 1970\u2019s and 1980\u2019s when houses were demolished and new ones were built including Tower Blocks. The population of the area was depleted and there were fewer Catholics in the area. However the Catholic school continued to grow in numbers and when the Presentation Sisters came to the Parish at the invitation of Father Gerry McArdle in 1997 there was a closer link developed between the Church and school. Sister Bernadette involved the children in Sunday Mass and started the Children\u2019s liturgy. More parents got involved also. The Journey in Faith was started by Father Gerry and Sister Bernadette and every year we had new members joining the Church at Easter.  For some years in the 1990\u2019s and until 2008 the Parish was involved in community organising, known as \u2018Birmingham Citizens.\u2019 The Parish collaborated with other groups of people of Faith and none to improve the lives of people who were voiceless and living in poor conditions.  At present our Parish priest is Father Solomon Ghebray and he is also Parish Priest of St Vincents Church, Vauxhall Road. The two Churches collaborate and hope to continue to do this so together we can promote the reign of God in this area. Father Solomon is also National Chaplain to the Eritrean community in the UK. Holy Mass in celebrated every Sunday in Saint Joseph\u2019s at 9.45am and in Saint Vincents at 11.00am Daily Mass in St Vincent\u2019s at 11.00 every day apart from Wednesday when it is celebrated in Saint Vincent\u2019s School, at 9.30am and in Saint Joseph\u2019s<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-21205","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.stackiz.in\/church\/stj-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21205","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.stackiz.in\/church\/stj-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.stackiz.in\/church\/stj-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demo.stackiz.in\/church\/stj-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demo.stackiz.in\/church\/stj-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21205"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/demo.stackiz.in\/church\/stj-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21205\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21206,"href":"https:\/\/demo.stackiz.in\/church\/stj-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21205\/revisions\/21206"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.stackiz.in\/church\/stj-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}