St John The Baptist's Church, Longbridge
History
The church was designed by G H While of Bromilow, While and Smeaton. The church was consecrated in 1957 and a parish was formed from St Nicolas' Church, Kings Norton at the same time. It was built to serve the expanding car-making area around the Longbridge plant.
The church is noted for five oak statues on the mullions of the west window designed by G H While and carved by the Robert Pancheri of Bromsgrove. The central figure is of St John the Baptist holding a cross, with a lamb lying on the Bible. Around him are depictions of Elijah with a raven, Isaiah with a branch, Ezekiel with a wheel and Jeremiah with a scroll.
The church was used by the architect as a model for St Boniface's Church, Quinton which was built 2 years later.
Organ
A two manual organ from St Thomas in the Moors, Balsall Heath was installed in 1958 by Nicholson and Co of Worcester. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.
References
- ^ The Buildings of England. Warwickshire. Nikolaus Pevsner. Penguin Books.
- ^ "St John the Baptist, Longbridge". A Church Near You. The Church of England. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
- ^ Public Sculpture of Birmingham. George T. Noszlopy. Liverpool University Press. 1998. ISBN 9780853236924
- ^ "NPOR [D02875]". National Pipe Organ Register. British Institute of Organ Studies. Retrieved 25 February 2015.