Welcome to Saint Paul’s, a Church of England presence in Blackheath
Please join us for Holy Communion,
10am every Sunday and Wednesday
A warm welcome to the website of Saint Paul’s, Blackheath. An equally warm welcome will be extended to all who wish to join us for an act of worship. It is always a joy to gather in the Lord’s name and to break bread in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. It is an equal privilege to welcome among us those who search for meaning in their lives and refreshment on their journey.
We hope you will join us at one of our services. Please visit the section below to view what services are offered throughout the week. You will be very welcome.
May we all catch in this holy place a glimpse of God's glory and come to know and do His will, now and in all eternity.
May God bless you.
Weekly Services
A service in modern language with singing followed by refreshments and fellowship
A quiet reflective service in modern language
A time of refreshments and fellowship
Christian Meditation as taught by the World Community for Christian Meditation
A quiet reflective service of Morning Prayer
Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals
"A time to be born, and a time to die ... a time to weep and a time to laugh"
Words from the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes.
Most of us have times in our lives when:
For all of these times, Saint Paul’s is here for you.
For any assistance with baptisms, weddings, the renewal of your wedding vows, or the publishing of your wedding banns please come along to see us at Saint Paul’s and we will endeavour to help you in any way that we can. Enquiries are dealt with following the Sunday morning service at 11 o'clock in church.
Long Lane
Halesowen
West Midlands
B62 9LH
A Brief History of St. Paul’s Parish Church, Blackheath
St Paul’s church was conceived in 1865 to serve a growing population in the Blackheath area of over 5,000 people, and today the ecclesiastical parish has a population of over 20,000 and straddles the Metropolitan Boroughs of Dudley and Sandwell in the diocese of Birmingham. The foundation stone was laid in 1868 and the church consecrated in 1869. A new foundation stone was unveiled in 2018 to commemorate the laying of the original.
The church cost £7,040 and was built in red brick. The design included a tower and spire, but these were never built because of unsatisfactory foundations. Instead a small belfry was installed but this was later removed due to storm damage and so a bell amplification system was installed.
Dimensions
The form of the church consists of a chancel and nave with a central and two side aisles, all surmounted with tiled roofs. It had traditional pews seating for over 750, now 400, and has the following dimensions:
| Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|
| ft in | m | |
| Nave (to Apex) | 83' x 32' x 59' | 25.54m x 9.85m x 18.15m |
| Chancel | 51' 6" x 23' x 50' | 15.85m x 7.08m x 15.38m |
| North Aisle | 83' x 14' | 25.54m x 4.31m |
| South Aisle | 83' x 14' | 25.54m x 4.31m |
| Vestry | 18' x 18' | 5.54m x 5.54m |
| Organ Chamber | 18' x 18' | 5.54m x 5.54m |
| Total length | 134' 6" | 41.38m |
| Total breadth | 60' | 18.46m |
Massive brick pillars with stone capping flank the nave. Outer walls are 3’ 3” in thickness. (1.0m)
The Lady Chapel
At the east end of the south aisle was dedicated in 1926 as a memorial to those men of Blackheath who died in the 1914-18 war. It contains a memorial tablet with names of those who lost their lives. A bit further along on the wall in the south aisle there is a memorial tablet dedicated in 1955 to commemorate those who died in the second world war, 1939 -1945. In 2018 an additional list of names were displayed from both wars of men missing from the two tablets.
High Altar
Here we find a carved wooden altar in front of a reredos with sculptures of St Peter and St Paul.
Stained Glass Windows
Also along the south side is a beautiful stained glass window. There is a stained glass window above the high altar in commemoration of the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1902.
Chancel
The upper part of the pulpit and the altar rail were refurbished in light oak and new choir and clergy stalls were installed around 1961. The lectern which was originally made of wood was replaced with a carved white stone pulpit that came from a church near Worcester. A wrought iron screen and gates separated the chancel from the nave but were removed in 1971.
West Porch
The west door porch was erected in 1934 and after the addition of an internal glass and wood panelled lobby in 1962 became the main entrance. Until then the north porch had been the main entrance. The toilet was installed in 1974 and modified for disabled use in 2005.
Platform
The whole chancel area was refurbished in 2005 and a movable table and chairs were placed for use during the church services.
Baptismal Front
The octagonal font situated inside the west door is in grey stone with inset reliefs supported on four pillars and mounted on three steps.
Hospitality Area
A hospitality facility situated in the south west corner was added in 1995. In 2014 pews were removed from the back of church and the area opened up to be used for refreshments and hospitality. In 2019 4 round tables and 25 banquet chairs were purchased for use in this area.
Heating
The church is heated by a gas fired hot water boiler and overhead electric heaters. The flood light illumination situated at a height of 30 feet (9.23 metres) superseded the original electric chandeliers. In 2023 the flood lights were converted to led’s to save on electricity and also to illuminate the nave roof for the first time.
Organ
The original organ cost £521 and was installed in 1875. It was rebuilt and enlarged and fitted with an electric blower system in 1931 and apart from several cleanings and electronic action is the organ which we have today.
Church Hall
The hall is in Vicarage Road and was the culmination of the efforts of Revd E A Bevan to foster the life of the parish. The opening took place in 1952 and has been used extensively since then by many organisations. There have been various upgrades and refurbishments made on the hall in recent years which have been funded by grants.
Safeguarding
At Saint Paul’s, we take the safety and well being of children, young people and vulnerable adults very seriously. We are committed to making Saint Paul’s a safe place for all. The care and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults is the responsibility of the whole church and everyone who participates in the life of the church has a role to play in promoting a safer church for all. If you do have any safeguarding concerns, or wish to raise an issue, then please do speak to a member of the ministry team.
If the situation is urgent and someone is being harmed or is not safe and needs immediate help then please dial the Police on 999 or 101. Alternatively please contact the Birmingham Diocesan Safeguarding Officer on:
07342 993 844
or via email at:
stephh@cofebirmingham.com
You can contact Birmingham local authority social care services:
Children:
0121 303 1888
Adults:
0121 303 1234
