St Germain's church is situated in the westernmost part of Edgbaston, some distance from Birmingham city centre. It is most remarkable for the fact that it is one of very few churches in the country to be entirely built during the First World War, construction beginning in 1915 and being structurally complete in 1917.

The church is a brick building that largely follows the form and layout of an Italianate Romanesque basilica, it's main vessel formed by a long aisled nave that culminates in a grander chancel terminated by an apse. The architect, Edwin Francis Reynolds, had originally conceived a large almost free-standing bell tower at the north west corner but funding was not forthcoming for this, and instead the church was crowned by a much smaller leaden cupola over the west end of the nave. The style throughout evokes early Christian architecture, but the flourishes of the brickwork betray a few hints of emerging Art Deco.

The interior is by contrast very light with its white plastered finish and largely colourless glazing, but still very much follows the form of an early basilica, particularly in the grey stone columns of the arcades and the wooden roof above with its subtle painted accents. The focal point beyond is of course the apse, though it is somewhat plain being devoid of decoration. The glazing throughout consists of decorative leaded designs in textured glass with only a few hints of green in some windows. Colour has happily been introduced in more recent years however in the form of a few vibrant modern hangings. The single most significant artwork however is the beautiful triptych by Kate Bunce in the chapel to the north of the sanctuary.

St Germain's is most likely to be locked outside of services and functions, but I managed to visit on a Heritage Open Say in September and was made very welcome here.
www.stgermains.org.uk/

Tags:   Edgbaston church Birmingham West Midlands architecture

© All Rights Reserved

St Germain's church is situated in the westernmost part of Edgbaston, some distance from Birmingham city centre. It is most remarkable for the fact that it is one of very few churches in the country to be entirely built during the First World War, construction beginning in 1915 and being structurally complete in 1917.

The church is a brick building that largely follows the form and layout of an Italianate Romanesque basilica, it's main vessel formed by a long aisled nave that culminates in a grander chancel terminated by an apse. The architect, Edwin Francis Reynolds, had originally conceived a large almost free-standing bell tower at the north west corner but funding was not forthcoming for this, and instead the church was crowned by a much smaller leaden cupola over the west end of the nave. The style throughout evokes early Christian architecture, but the flourishes of the brickwork betray a few hints of emerging Art Deco.

The interior is by contrast very light with its white plastered finish and largely colourless glazing, but still very much follows the form of an early basilica, particularly in the grey stone columns of the arcades and the wooden roof above with its subtle painted accents. The focal point beyond is of course the apse, though it is somewhat plain being devoid of decoration. The glazing throughout consists of decorative leaded designs in textured glass with only a few hints of green in some windows. Colour has happily been introduced in more recent years however in the form of a few vibrant modern hangings. The single most significant artwork however is the beautiful triptych by Kate Bunce in the chapel to the north of the sanctuary.

St Germain's is most likely to be locked outside of services and functions, but I managed to visit on a Heritage Open Say in September and was made very welcome here.
www.stgermains.org.uk/

Tags:   Edgbaston church Birmingham West Midlands architecture

© All Rights Reserved

St Germain's church is situated in the westernmost part of Edgbaston, some distance from Birmingham city centre. It is most remarkable for the fact that it is one of very few churches in the country to be entirely built during the First World War, construction beginning in 1915 and being structurally complete in 1917.

The church is a brick building that largely follows the form and layout of an Italianate Romanesque basilica, it's main vessel formed by a long aisled nave that culminates in a grander chancel terminated by an apse. The architect, Edwin Francis Reynolds, had originally conceived a large almost free-standing bell tower at the north west corner but funding was not forthcoming for this, and instead the church was crowned by a much smaller leaden cupola over the west end of the nave. The style throughout evokes early Christian architecture, but the flourishes of the brickwork betray a few hints of emerging Art Deco.

The interior is by contrast very light with its white plastered finish and largely colourless glazing, but still very much follows the form of an early basilica, particularly in the grey stone columns of the arcades and the wooden roof above with its subtle painted accents. The focal point beyond is of course the apse, though it is somewhat plain being devoid of decoration. The glazing throughout consists of decorative leaded designs in textured glass with only a few hints of green in some windows. Colour has happily been introduced in more recent years however in the form of a few vibrant modern hangings. The single most significant artwork however is the beautiful triptych by Kate Bunce in the chapel to the north of the sanctuary.

St Germain's is most likely to be locked outside of services and functions, but I managed to visit on a Heritage Open Say in September and was made very welcome here.
www.stgermains.org.uk/

Tags:   Edgbaston church Birmingham West Midlands architecture

© All Rights Reserved

St Germain's church is situated in the westernmost part of Edgbaston, some distance from Birmingham city centre. It is most remarkable for the fact that it is one of very few churches in the country to be entirely built during the First World War, construction beginning in 1915 and being structurally complete in 1917.

The church is a brick building that largely follows the form and layout of an Italianate Romanesque basilica, it's main vessel formed by a long aisled nave that culminates in a grander chancel terminated by an apse. The architect, Edwin Francis Reynolds, had originally conceived a large almost free-standing bell tower at the north west corner but funding was not forthcoming for this, and instead the church was crowned by a much smaller leaden cupola over the west end of the nave. The style throughout evokes early Christian architecture, but the flourishes of the brickwork betray a few hints of emerging Art Deco.

The interior is by contrast very light with its white plastered finish and largely colourless glazing, but still very much follows the form of an early basilica, particularly in the grey stone columns of the arcades and the wooden roof above with its subtle painted accents. The focal point beyond is of course the apse, though it is somewhat plain being devoid of decoration. The glazing throughout consists of decorative leaded designs in textured glass with only a few hints of green in some windows. Colour has happily been introduced in more recent years however in the form of a few vibrant modern hangings. The single most significant artwork however is the beautiful triptych by Kate Bunce in the chapel to the north of the sanctuary.

St Germain's is most likely to be locked outside of services and functions, but I managed to visit on a Heritage Open Say in September and was made very welcome here.
www.stgermains.org.uk/

Tags:   Edgbaston church Birmingham West Midlands architecture

© All Rights Reserved

St Germain's church is situated in the westernmost part of Edgbaston, some distance from Birmingham city centre. It is most remarkable for the fact that it is one of very few churches in the country to be entirely built during the First World War, construction beginning in 1915 and being structurally complete in 1917.

The church is a brick building that largely follows the form and layout of an Italianate Romanesque basilica, it's main vessel formed by a long aisled nave that culminates in a grander chancel terminated by an apse. The architect, Edwin Francis Reynolds, had originally conceived a large almost free-standing bell tower at the north west corner but funding was not forthcoming for this, and instead the church was crowned by a much smaller leaden cupola over the west end of the nave. The style throughout evokes early Christian architecture, but the flourishes of the brickwork betray a few hints of emerging Art Deco.

The interior is by contrast very light with its white plastered finish and largely colourless glazing, but still very much follows the form of an early basilica, particularly in the grey stone columns of the arcades and the wooden roof above with its subtle painted accents. The focal point beyond is of course the apse, though it is somewhat plain being devoid of decoration. The glazing throughout consists of decorative leaded designs in textured glass with only a few hints of green in some windows. Colour has happily been introduced in more recent years however in the form of a few vibrant modern hangings. The single most significant artwork however is the beautiful triptych by Kate Bunce in the chapel to the north of the sanctuary.

St Germain's is most likely to be locked outside of services and functions, but I managed to visit on a Heritage Open Say in September and was made very welcome here.
www.stgermains.org.uk/

Tags:   Edgbaston church Birmingham West Midlands architecture interior

© All Rights Reserved