History and Heritage

In 1802 a Congregational Church was established in Livery Street by certain members of the congregation of Carr’s Lane led by the former Minister. This was the beginning of a spiritual adventure which has continued for over two hundred years. The Livery Street Church lasted for forty two years, and as a result of the changing scene of industrial Birmingham leaving the Church without a roll in that area, a parcel of land was purchased in Graham Street and a new chapel bearing the name of Highbury was erected in 1845.

 In 1861 a lay preacher from Carr’s Lane, William Callaway became Minister and the congregation grew to the extent that it was realised that a larger church was required and in 1878 a freehold site was purchased in Soho Hill, Handsworth. A chapel seating 1,200 was constructed and opened in 1879. Meanwhile Highbury Chapel was sold, it still continues today as a place of worship, a Sikh Temple.

   Unfortunately, after a few years Mr Callaway’s health deteriorated and he passed away in 1886, aged 53.

 A link with Mr Callaway is still in use at Elmwood today, a lectern that he carved in the 1860,s while at Highbury.

 The gradual industrial expansion of Birmingham, coupled with the increasing cost of maintaining the buildings and the advent of the war in 1939 caused fewer people to attend the services and in 1941 it was decided to move. But where? At that time no-one knew, but the building was sold in faith that in time God would make clear the new area for worship. 

 Agreement was reached with local churches to use their premises for the duration of the war. In July1945 a New Site Committee consisting of four “Soho Hill” members was set up, with powers to find a suitable location for a new church.

  In September 1945, it was announced that the New Site Committee had “found” Elmwood, a large empty house at the top of Hamstead Hill, The Church Meeting resolved unanimously to purchase the building as it formed an ideal place to begin work for the Kingdom of God in a rapidly developing residential suburb of the City.

 After renovation the house, became known as “The Church in the Garden.” The house had been owned by the Rabone family and the story was told that in 1938 Mrs Rabone was convinced that god had a use for her house, and she had the foundations and floors strengthened. She died in 1939 and the house was commandeered by the military until the end of the war.

 The official opening of Elmwood Congregational Church took place on 16th July 1946 in the presence of the Deputy Mayor of the City of Birmingham. The Minister was Revd Hector Macdonald, who had been Minister since April 1934.

 In August 1951, the Revd. Phillip Cliff became Elmwood’s second Minister.

    A Church Hall was erected in the grounds in July 1953.

 The passing years saw increasing congregations and it became obvious that another larger building was necessary to house the expanding church. In 1961 a New Church Fund was opened.

 The next Minister at Elmwood was the Revd Kenneth Hibberd and he was inducted in 1962.

   Meanwhile the adjoining houses (39-43 Hamstead Hill) had been purchased for a housing development and the developers were keen to purchase a parcel of land from Elmwood. This was completed in October 1964, and the way forward for the new church was complete.

 Messrs T. Elvins & Sons were appointed to build the new church and the Service of Dedication and official opening took place on 8th March 1969. The original Churc building was renamed Church House.

 In 1972 the Congregational Church, Presbyterian Church and Churches of Christ joined together to form the United  Reformed Church.   

 During the next fifteen years Elmwood had three new Ministers, in 1978 Revd. Ronald Norris, in 1984 Revd. David Holley and in 1994 Revd. Michael Hubbard

who all brought different gifts and ideas.

 In common with other churches, falling congregations and increased maintenance of older buildings was causing concern and in 1996 a Development Committee was formed by Church Meeting to formulate a plan to concentrate our activities on the

Church building. As a result, further land was sold in 2000 and in the same year the present Minister, Revd. Richard Becher took office.   

 In 2002 all activities were concentrated on Church House while the Church building was completely altered to achieve the modern multifunctional facilities we see today, re-opening in December 2002.

  In 2006, Church House was sold, and in March 2009 we will be celebrating forty years since the Church building was opened.   

 

 

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