Where is St James the Great Church?

St James the Great Church at 4 Church Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 2AX. Near the Stratford Road.

 

In brief

The parish church of Shirley. It was locally listed Grade C. First built in the Early English style in 1831 with stucco, nave and a tower. The red brick chancels and transept followed in 1882 to the rear with patterns in blue bricks.

St James the Great Church, Shirley (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Parish Church of St James the Great, Shirley - history

The Nave and west tower (actually the east) was designed by architect Robert Ebbels and built from 1830 to 1832, rendered with lances and buttresses.

St James the Great Church, Shirley (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The tower has cut out battlements but has lost it's pinnacles.

St James the Great Church, Shirley (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The clock near the top of the tower.

St James the Great Church, Shirley (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Clock faces on all four sides of the tower.

St James the Great Church, Shirley (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The kingpost nave roof of 1862 was by Edward Holme's which also had triangular dormers and twirly wrought iron struts.

St James the Great Church, Shirley (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

To the rear is a red brick extension, built from 1882 to 1883 by John Cotton, which included the Chancel and transepts.

St James the Great Church, Shirley (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The interior was been changed in 1969, but back again in 1993, Cotton's chancel stalls survive.

The Reredos, mosaic with praying angel was by Powells of 1886.

Stained glass also mostly by Powells, east window of 1889 and 1886, north window 1892 and 1897.

The earliest probably by George Parlby.

North transpet by Camm & Co of 1901, east by Camm Bros of 1883.

South transept perhaps by Hardmans of 1911.

St James the Great Church, Shirley (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The church sign can be seen from Church Road with a list of service times and contact information.

St James the Great Church, Shirley (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

War Memorial

The war memorial at St James faces the Stratford Road.

St James the Great Church, Shirley (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

On the left is names of those members of Shirley parish who fell in the Second World War (1939 - 1945).

St James the Great Church, Shirley (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

On the right is more names of those members of Shirley parish who fell in the Second World War (1939 - 1945).

St James the Great Church, Shirley (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The war memorial is in front of the churchyard.

St James the Great Church, Shirley (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The St James the Great war memorial after Remembrance Sunday in November 2018, with poppy wreaths laid.

St James the Great Church, Shirley (November 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

NHS rainbow banner at St James the Great during July 2020, while the church building was closed in the pandemic, close to the war memorial.

St James the Great Church, Shirley (July 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

About four poppy wreaths at the war memorial during November 2021, a few hours after Remembrance Sunday.

St James the Great Church, Shirley (November 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Contact details

Shirley Parish

The Parish Office

Church House

Church Road

Shirley

Solihull

B90 2AX

tel: 0121 745 8896

email: office@shirleyparishb90.co.uk