Where is St Alphege's Church?

St Alphege's Church at Church Hill Road, Solihull, B91 3RQ. Near New Road.

 

In brief

The parish church of Solihull, it has been on this site since at least the late 12th century, mostly dating to the 13th to 16th centuries. Was some alterations during the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The church is dedicated to St Alphege. The original spire was replaced in the middle of the 18th century.

St Alphege's Church, Solihull (October 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

St Alphege's Church - history and details

The church was dedicated to their patron saint, St Alphege, who was an Anglo-Saxon, made Archbishop of Canterbury in 1006. He was captured by the Danes who killed him, he was a martyr and inspiration for the work of reconcilation and social justice.

St Alphege's Church, Solihull (April 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The church was built of red sandstone with later work in grey sandstone under tiles and terne coated steel roofs.

St Alphege's Church, Solihull (October 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Dating from the medieval period between the late 12th and 13th centuries, it was rebuilt over the centuries, mainly in the 16th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

St Alphege's Church, Solihull (October 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The previous spire was 59m and collapsed in 1757, this was replaced by the current spire which is 57.34m.

St Alphege's Church, Solihull (October 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The main entrance to the church is through the north porch, which has wrought iron gates dating to 1746.

St Alphege's Church, Solihull (October 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The west front is dominated by the tall central window which is Perpendicular in style and dates to the 1530s.

St Alphege's Church, Solihull (October 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There is stained glass windows throughout the church. The east window by William Wailes, the west window and large south aisle windows are by Charles Eamer Kempe in 1879 and 1901. The east window in the chantry chapel is of 1908 by Bertram Lamplugh.

St Alphege's Church, Solihull (October 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Contact details

St Alphege's Church

Parish Office

Oliver Bird Hall

Church Hill Road

Solihull

B91 3RQ