Sutton Coldfield United Reformed Church (Birmingham)

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This is a small church located near to a shopping centre, the Gracechurch Centre, which takes its name from the building.

The Foundation Stones of ‘Park Road Congregational Church’ were laid on 30 June 1879, by Alderman Manton and Mr George Parkes. The building, to hold 400, was completed in April 1880 when the opening service was held. It originally had a spire. The Organ was purchased from Nicholson and Lord of Walsall in 1887 and was enlarged in 1904 when the organ chamber was built in the chancel. There have been two major rebuilds, in 1964 and 1987. The console was moved to its present position in 1970.

By 1902 a Ladies Parlour had been built at the front of the church, schoolrooms added in Station Street with a caretaker’s flat and in 1904 the Gas Lighting was replaced with Electricity. In 1911 a new porch was built at the front of the Church and the stonework replaced. The Gallery Window was added at this time. The Memorial Window was erected in 1920.

The spire was removed in 1960 as it was becoming unsafe.

In 1964 the Sanctuary underwent major refurbishment and redecoration. The pews were stripped and lightened and the seat numbers were removed and in 1987 the retaining wall to the chancel was taken down, the choir pews taken out and the Sanctuary completely redecorated and carpeted.

In 1972 the United Reformed Church was formed by the union of the Congregational Church and the Presbyterian Church in England Our name changed from Park Road Congregational Church to Sutton Coldfield URC. Two years later major alterations to the Town Centre took place, our schoolroom buildings behind the church in Station Street were demolished and the new Church Centre was opened 1974.

Sutton Coldfield United Reformed Church
1 Brassington Avenue
Sutton Coldfield
West Midlands
B73 6AA