St George in the Fields, Hockley
St George in the Fields, Hockley is a former Church of England parish church in Birmingham. Built in 1822, it was enlarged in the late 19th century and demolished in 1961. The tomb of architect Thomas Rickman remains a listed structure on the site.
St George in the Fields, Hockley | |
---|---|
![]() St George in the Fields | |
![]() | |
Location | Birmingham |
Country | England |
Denomination | Church of England |
History | |
Dedication | St George |
Consecrated | 6 August 1822 |
Architecture | |
Architect(s) | Thomas Rickman |
Style | Decorated Gothic |
Completed | 1819 |
Construction cost | £12,735 |
Demolished | 1961 |
Specifications | |
Capacity | 1,959 people |
History
The church was the first of the Commissioner's churches in Birmingham. It was designed by Thomas Rickman in the Decorated Gothic style and built by Benjamin Nowell and Sons.[1] It was consecrated on 6 August 1822 by the Bishop of Chester.[2]
A parish was assigned out of St Martin in the Bull Ring in 1830. The church was enlarged in 1883 at a cost of £2,300 with the addition of a chancel and organ chamber by Bateman and Corser.[3]
In 1856, part of its parish was taken to form the parish of St Matthias' Church, Farm Street, Birmingham.
The church was demolished in 1961.
Tomb of Thomas Rickman
![](../I/Thomas_Rickman_tomb.JPG.webp)
The architect Thomas Rickman was buried in the churchyard in 1841, and his tomb is now a listed structure.
Organ
The church had a pipe organ by Elliott, later modified by Bishop & Banfield. The organ was rebuilt in a new organ chamber in 1883 by Nicholson and Ward of Walsall. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[4]
References
- A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers in Great Britain and Ireland. 1500-1830. A.W. Skempton. Thomas Telford. 2002
- "Consecration". Northampton Mercury. Birmingham. 10 August 1822. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- "Reopening of St George's Church, Birmingham". Northampton Mercury. Birmingham. 14 March 1883. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- "NPOR N07327". National Pipe Organ Register. British Institute of Organ Studies. Retrieved 7 March 2015.