Churches

Broseley Local History Society
Incorporating the Wilkinson Society

Churches of Broseley and District


The Parish Church - All Saints (St Leonard) Broseley Cemetery Linley Church Barrow Church St Marys Jackfield - The Red Church Jackfield Church Willey Church Benthall Church Roman Catholic	Coalford Chapel Baptist (Birchmeadow) Baptist Methodist Primitive Methodist- Broseley Wood Congregationalist Quaker Plymouth Brethren (Gospel Hall - Victoria Hall)

All Saints Broseley (St Leonard's)

    Broseley's Parish Church dedicated to All Saints, built in 1845, which replaced a former building which was dedicated to St Leonard. It stands in what was once the centre of the village, but as the town grew the population settled further from the church building. In the early 1700's, what was probably the original church, was completely rebuilt bring complete by 1716. This church was in turn demolished the present Victorian edifice being completed in 1845 at a cost of 9,000. It is constructed of stone from Grinshill about 25 miles away. It was at this time that the name was changed from St Leonard's to All Saints.
     Its architectural design is based on the great wool churches of the south and west of England, although it does not touch their glory. The most noteworthy feature is the tower, which since Broseley overlooks the Severn Gorge, is a prominent landmark from the opposite side of the river.
     When a new building was proposed there was a suggestion that it be built of local brick the building committee being headed by Mr William Exley a local brick manufacturer. The then Rector, the Hon. & Rev. O.W.W. Forester, a Canon of York and later 4^th Baron Forester, however, rejected the idea, The architect was of Worcester.
     The church contains a window by Kempe, and a rerados by Bodley. There are a number of memorials to local worthies, including one telling a Cinderella story. The silver, which has been removed for safe keeping, dates form the late 17^th century. There is a coat of arms of Queen Ann. The bells were cast by Mears of London in 1844, and are eight in number. There is also a Parsons Sanctus bell dating from 1642.
     Broseley was a centre of iron making, and there are some fascinating iron tomb "stones" in the churchyard. The church railings too are fine examples of local craftsmanship. An ancient yew stands in the church grounds.
     The registers go back to 1570, and are available in local libraries.
The graveyard at St Leonards was extended in 1840.

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All Saints as it was in the Early 20th Century

Broseley Cemetery
By 1880 the graveyard at All Saints was becoming full and a new cemetery was required. To achieve this the Local Board (local council) assumed the functions of a Burial Board under the Internment Act of 1879. After many discussions it was decided to purchase land in Duckhouse and Brandlee Meadows (near Oakleys catchgate) for 175 from Major General Jenkins. This land is adjacent to Ironbridge Road to the north east of the Church. The cemetery was constructed by the firm of Millington's and opened in 1884, it was extended in 1899 and again in 1969. It is surrounded by a decorative brick wall and has a chapel of rest which is an excellent advert for the products of the local brick and tile industry.

The Chapel of Rest Broseley Cemetery.

St Mary Jackfield - The Red Church - See Friends web page for more details

The now demolished Chapel of Ease of St Mary at Jackfield is surrounded by a number of mysteries. Some well placed authorities attribute its building in 1759 to Francis Blithe Turner in memory of a female relative. Other say it was paid for by Mrs Mary Browne, and set a later date of 1766. There is a popular legend that the deceased lady did not want the church built on the conventional East-West alignment, and each night rose from her grave to push down the work completed during the day. Hence the church was built North to South.
The building quickly became unsafe, and although it had been built to save those living along the Severn the journey to Broseley to worship, regular services ceased in about 1860. A hundred years later the church, whose architect some claimed to be Thomas Farnolls Prichard, celebrated for his connection with the design and construction of the iron bridge, was demolished.
The church was commonly known as The Red Church because of the colour of the local brick used in its construction, but in the 19th century was known as The Church on the Hill. In the century of its construction it enjoyed the epithet of The New Church.
Close to the site is the Cholera Ground (1832) for the reception of victims of that disease in one mass grave. A single tombstone marked "T Crump" denotes the place, so it is claimed.

Jackfield Church
The village church at Jackfield can claim to be, architecturally, one of the most distinguished buildings in the Severn gorge. It was designed by the prominent Victorian Architect Sir Arthur William Blomfield (1829-1899) architect of Selwyn College Cambridge, the Royal College of Music London and St Mary's Portsea (Portsmouth Cathedral). It is in the French Gothic style and makes extensive use of local materials. In its use of layers of differing colours of brick it has a passing resemblance to the Norman Shaw Buildings on the Embankment and Butterfield's Keble College. The reredos is a remarkable triptych displaying local tiles painted at the Craven Dunhill factory behind the Church and reputedly first shown at the Paris Exhibition of 1862. Unusually for a parish church there is a large rose window in the west wall.
The church itself was funded as a memorial to George Prichard sometime High Sheriff of Salop. The other memorial to him, in the Broseley square has been demolished. There is a memorial plaque to Alexander Brodie, iron master of Calcutts who died 5th June 1830 some years before the church was consecrated in 1863.

Baptist Chapel
According to an old book containing the confession of faith, a list of members, a register of births, deaths, &c., and other matters in connection with the " Old Baptists at Broseley," it appears that this body first established themselves here in 1741. The following statement is from page 7.
"The preaching of the Gospel at Broseley was began at ye house of Jacob Wyke ye sixteenth day of September, 1743, by Mr. John Oulton, pastor of ye Baptist Church in Leominster, and by him Mr. Robert Morris, of Wellington, &c. There were preached abt. ten Sermons before the new Chappel was opened which was ye second day of February. 1741-2, from wch. time for about ye space of 2 years we had no constant supply but what by the providence of God ministers of other congregations were sometimes sent to assist us and some of them from very different places from us in which time several persons received the Gospel and were Baptised afterwards Mr. John Waine who had been one of our helpers came and resided with us and ye number of converts was increased to abt. fifteen whereof there were four men viz., Jacob Wyke, Thomas Jones, John Jones, and George Cartwright, who on or about ye first of December, 1749 (according to ye Gospel rule) .."
From John Randall History of Broseley 1879

The Birchmeadow Chapel Birchmeadow Chapel is also now a community centre owned by the Town Council.
It was built as a Baptist Chapel in 1803 jointly by John Guest ( of the GKN steel company) and George Crompton (draper). In more recent times it has been the Elite Cinema, a night-club and during WW2 it was used by the local APR and Home Guard.

This engraving shows the chapel as it was built. In subsequent years extensions have been added.

Broseley Methodist
This is one of two non-conformist places of worship still in regular use.
John Randall (Broseley and its Surroundings 1879) states:
We have not been able to ascertain the exact date at which Wesleyan Methodism was first established in Broseley, or that at which the chapel was built. The latter is said to have been erected in 1772; and it is probable enough that that event took place prior to the visits paid by the founder of Methodism. Mr. Wesley twice visited Broseley, and the wonderfully accurate records of the journeyings of that remarkable man supply the exact dates of his visits. Having been at Shrewsbury on the 28th and 29th of July, 1774, he says:
Sat. 30. - I went on to Madeley; and in the evening preached under a sycamore-tree, in Madeley-Wood, to a large congregation, good part of them colliers, who drank in every word. Surely never were places more alike, than Madeley-Wood, Gateshead-fell, and Kings-wood.
Sun. 31. -The church could not contain the congregation, either morning or afternoon but in the evening I preached to a still larger congregation at Broseley; and equally attentive. I now learned the particulars of a remarkable story, which I had heard imperfectly before:- Some time since, one of the colliers here, coming home at night, dropped into a coal-pit, twenty-four yards deep. He called aloud for help, but none heard all that night, and all the following day. The second night, being weak and faint, he fell asleep, and dreamed that his wife, who had been some time dead, came to him, and greatly comforted him. In the morning, a gentleman going a hunting, an hare started up just before the hounds, ran straight to the mouth of the pit, and was gone; no man could tell how. The hunters searched all round the pit, till they heard a voice from the bottom. They quickly procured proper help, and drew up the man unhurt.
Again being at Shrewsbury, (April, 1780), he says: -
Not knowing the best way from hence to Brecon, I thought well to go round by Worcester. I took Broseley in my way, and thereby had a view of the iron bridge over the Severn: I suppose the first and the only cue in Europe. It will not soon be imitated.
In the evening I preached at Broseley; and on Saturday, 21, went on to Worcester.

The old chapel had seats for 384 and was in a classical style with pedimented porch and facade. It was closed an demolished in 1964. The replacement chapel was completed in 1971.

Wesleyan Chapel at Coalford

This chapel was built for the accommodation of those of the Wesleyan persuasion living at Coalford, Jackfield, and the Lloyd Head. It cost 275, with the ground; and was first opened for divine worship on Sunday, Nov. 24th, 1825. A house for the chapel-keeper was been added, which in the 1880's was occupied by a very worthy and truly pious self-taught man, Aaron Langford, an energetic local preacher, usually designated the bishop of Coalford..
The chapel closed in 1980 an is currently the headquarters of the Jackfield Elcock Reisen Band

Primitive Methodist - Broseley Wood

The Primitive Methodists opened a chapel in Broseley Wood in 1839. In 1851 the chapel was attended by 37 adults in the afternoon and 91 in the evening. For a time it was taken by the C of E as a mission church It ceased to be used for worship about1970 and is now a private residence.

Congregationalists
This was on the site of the Friends Meeting house which with some additional land was purchased and a chapel was built in 1841 at a cost of 700; and the old building was fitted up for a school-room.
Randall states that:
For some years, the church flourished; but through changes in trade and manufactures, its membership declined. Mr. Samuel Evans laboured here gratuitously for 17 years, with such effect that he has now a fixed stipend, and has gone to reside at Broseley.
Among the earlier ministers was the Rev. Samuel Newth, M.A., a distinguished scholar and mathematician of the London University, and now Dr. Newth, Principal of New College, London, and one of the company of the Revisers of the English New Testament.

The chapel closed in 1965 and was later demolished. The site is now the car park for the Pipeworks Museum but a small graveyard remains.

Quaker
John Randall (Broseley and its Surroundings 1879) states:
The Broseley Meeting-House was erected in 1692, at which time the mineral property of the district was becoming appreciated. The old Meeting House at Broseley was then the only one for Friends on both sides of the Severn, the present one at the Dale not being built till some time afterwards. Funerals from Coalbrookdale, attended by horsemen or carriages, had to go over Buildwas bridge, and across Benthall Edge. The inconvenience felt in this respect is said to have suggested to the Darbys the advisability of a bridge over the Severn; an idea strongly entertained by the second Abraham Darby, and finally matured and carried out by the third.
Among the earliest marriages recorded here is that of John Tipper, of Lower Arley, Worcester, to Mary Edwards of Benthall 31st 3rd mo. 1691. Samuel Roden, son of Samuel Roden, carpenter, Broseley, was married to Ann Powell of Broseley, 27th 8th mo. 1723. Edward Cliveley, of Much Wenlock, was married to Martha Meredith, Much Wenlock, 2nd 1st mo. 1719. Thomas Rose, Coalbrookdale, hinge maker, son of Thomas and Rebecca Rose, of Birmingham, was married to Debora Richardson of Coalbrookdale, 21st 6th mo. 1726. There are other marriages, but the burials recorded are much more numerous, shewing an immigration probably of Friends from a distance to the works. The number is 85; and amongst them several members of the old family of Bradley, Andrew Bradley, son of Andrew and Bretage, 1702. Some of these were of Benthall and Horsehay. Ten of the Darbys are among the number.

After the meeting house at Coalbrookdale opened in 1741 the friends ceased to meet in Broseley. The meeting house finally closed 1778 the site being used later by the Congregationalists for their Chapel.

Roman Catholic
Prior to 1888 when an "iron church" was opened mass had been celebrated in private houses. St Winifreds, as it was known was closed in 1913. Worship returned to Broseley in 1962 when a wooden church was built on land in Barbers Row. This was replace by the present brick building in 1979.
Broseley has never been a Catholic parish and has being served from Madeley, Shifnal, Dawley and currently Much Wenlock.

Gospel Rooms - Victoria Hall

The hall was built in 1867 by the Plymouth Brethren as the Gospel Rooms and was partly financed by the Maw family. Around 1905 they moved to Broseley Wood where the met until 1927.
The hall had a number of uses, as a billiard hall, the local library and currently it is used as a venue for community events.

Linley Church

Linley church is a gem. It stands a little off the B4373 Broseley to Bridgnorth road, and is approached down a single-track road which itself is a flower filled attraction at certain times of the year. The building was consecrated to St Leonard in 1138 and since then has changed little except for the insertion of 13^th or 14^th century windows. Ever the Victorians dealt kindly with Linley, chiefly replacing the dilapidated East Wall.

There are deeply splayed windows, and well-proportioned Norman arches with charming scrolled carvings

The outside of the church is as interesting as its interior.
The faces carved into the tower need to be noted. The north doorway is blocked up, but its typanum (shown right) contains on of the few sheila-na-gigs in the country. In this case we have a green man a fertility symbol remaining over from the old religion with foliage sprouting from his mouth.

The deeply splayed, round-headed windows are of considerable interest. The huge but roughly hewn font is Norman. There is a splendid typanum in the original west doorway.

The silver, which is not held in the church, is dated 1625.

Ancient church shuts doors to worshippers by Sarah Hughes - Bridgnorth Journal 2nd November 2007
An historic church near Broseley dating back about 1,000 years has been made redundant due to lack of funds.
St Leonard's Church, which stands off the B4373 Broseley to Bridgnorth road in Linley, was made redundant on September 24.
Plans are now being drawn up to hand over the building to the Churches Conservation Trust.
The trust, if given the go ahead, will preserve the church and its annexed land.
The nearby Barrow Church will now be used as the parish church for Linley, Barrow and Willey.
Reverend Mike Kinna said: "We couldn't afford to keep two churches going. It's a shame but it's reality.
"Churches are important buildings, many with listed status, and they have to be kept to a certain standard. Sometimes the only way to do this is to hand them over to organisations like the Churches Conservation Trust."
Rev Kinna said: "The foundations of the church are probably around I,000 years old. It's an important archaeological buildings, with stone carvings and a Norman font.
"Barrow is a similar age, although its foundations are older. It was a place of worship back in the 8th century.
"It's now the parish church for all the parishes.
"There will now be a huge effort going on to restore Barrow church. Various things need doing like rewiring and roofing.
"Lots of things have already been going on, we are having fundraisers all the time."
The Churches Conservation Trust is the leading body conserving England's most beautiful and historic churches which are no longer used for regular worship.
It promotes public enjoyment of these churches, and encourages their use as an educational and community resource.
There are currently 340 churches in its care, including St Leonards, in Bridgnorth.

Benthall Church

The church is somewhat overshadowed by Benthall Hall (National Trust). It appears that what was an earlier church (dedicated to St Brice, the only other being at Brize Norton, Oxon) was substantially lost during the defence of the hall in 1645, one of the skirmishes in the Civil War. It was not until 1667 that the church was rebuilt although in a local style. At that time the dedication was given as St Bartholomew.

Internally the church contains a great west gallery, used over the years for the musicians and singers.

The Victorians enlarged the building in their own unique way. A particularly unusual feature is the Blocked up south doorway, which contains a beehive, the entrance to which is a lion's face. Above are written the words " Out of the strong commeth forth sweetness".

St Bartholomews Church, pictured right, was built in 1667 after the previous church burnt down during the Civil War.

Shropshire Star 19th July 2007

St Bartholomews Church, was built in 1667 after the previous church burnt down during the Civil War. It will become redundant on August 31. On August 26, there will be a holy eucharist at 10.30am.

Rector of Broseley the Reverend Mike Kinna, whose patch includes Benthall, said: It will be a celebration of its ministry to date and a look forward to the future. It will be in no way a wake.

Its a move to ensure its future, which might sound completely at odds with the word redundant, but thats the way church law works.

Its mainly because its not attended by very many, therefore the income is minute, and not in any sense or any way enough to maintain and keep a listed building the way it should be kept.

Barrow

The church at Barrow stands on an ancient site. It is constructed on a small hillock, about which there is some speculation that is connected with the Celtic saint, St Owen. A holy well of his is at Much Wenlock about three miles away.

The present chancel is the original "cell" chapel, and opinion is that its dates from early in the 8^th century, although the Victorians managed to replace one wall. It is dedicated to St Giles who died in 712. It is a good example of the earliest churches in these islands.
The nave is late Saxon with some remodeling by the Normans. The tower was added in the century following the last millennium.
Outside there are further items of interest. Near the church door lies Tom Moody, the whipper-in for the local Squire Forester, and frequently referred to as the Shropshire John Peel. A large iron grave monument covers the resting-place of John Rose of the Coalport China manufactory. Outside the churchyard is an unusual horse mounting stone.
Near the Church are the Almshouses (1619) and the School (1612) founded by John Slaney of London.

Willey

The church stands between Willey Old Hall, an attractive Tudor Building and Willey Park (1816), the residence of (Lord and) Lady Forester. The building is basically Norman but the heavy hand of the Victorians is upon it. It was restored and enlarged in 1880

Willey Parish Registers