January 15th
2007
Shenstone - Where is it?
Shenstone is a village of some 2500 people situated about 5 miles south of Lichfield just off the A5127 (Lichfield - Birmingham Road via Sutton Coldfield) and about 1 mile south of the Watling Street (A5).
Sketch map showing the position of Shenstone
A Brief History of the Church
The original parish of Shenstone was some 30 miles in compass but in the 19th Century new churches were built at Stonnal and Little Aston, thereby reducing Shenstone parish to its present size.
 New Church - Large picture (18Kb) |
Until quite recently there was a daughter mission church at Little Hay but this was sold off to a Plymouth Brethren group who still worship there. The first vicar of Shenstone to appear in the Bishops' Register was Adam de Lynde. There is a reference to him in another document in 1274 but the register notes his death in 1323. |
| From that date to the present day there is a near-unbroken succession of priests in Shenstone church. The Old Church, which was pulled down when the new one was built in 1854, consisted of a nave and two transepts with a chancel and a north aisle. The tower originally in the centre, was rebuilt, probably in the 16th Century, at the west end of the nave compass. The exact date of construction of the |  Old Church - Large picture (25Kb) |
old church is difficult to estimate but Sanders, curate of Shenstone in the mid 18th Century reckons it to have been in the reign of Henry VI although many alterations and additions had been made since that time.
The old church at Shenstone was, however, much more ancient than Henry Sanders has estimated. The recent excavations have not only confirmed the evidence of the Norman arch at the west base of the old tower but also suggested an even earlier, Saxon foundation date.
The foundation stone of the new church was laid on a new site, well to the south of the old one but still, of course, on church land. The only remains of the old building are the tower and the south door, though the foundations of the old church were partly revealed just over 30 years ago when the churchyard was cleared.
The present church is neo-Gothic in style of architecture but spacious enough for the traditional St. Peter's Chapel to the south. Until recently, this chapel was used as a choir vestry. There are porches to the south and west, the latter used now as a church lounge, and on the north side is a tower with a full peal of bells.
The chancel is no longer a focal point in the normal pattern of worship. The choir stalls are in their original place but the Altar has been moved to a position underneath the chancel arch, just forward of which the sacrament of Holy Communion now takes place, and the east end of the nave has been converted into a raised area or platform on which the Sacrament or other services are celebrated.
Parish Records
Historic records of St John the Baptist, Shenstone have been deposited at Staffordshire Record Office, where they are available for consultation by the public. These include the parish registers of baptisms 1579-1975, marriages 1579-1972, and burials 1579-1966; and the tithe apportionment award and map, 1839-1841. There is also a good collection of papers of parish officers, including an excellent series of pauper apprenticeship indentures, 1666-1823.
A catalogue of these records is available in "Gateway to the Past" - the online catalogue of the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service. The Archive Service's website provides further information on planning a visit to the office to consult records, should you wish to do so.
More Pictures of the Church
 Large Picture (15Kb) |
 Large Picture (12Kb) |
 Large Picture (17Kb) |  Large Picture (13Kb) |
Church Leaders
| Vicar | Vacant | |
| Hon. Curate | Rev'd John Aston | 4 Footherley Road. Shenstone Tel. 01543 480388 |
| Reader | David Roper | 4 Hillwood Common Road,Sutton Coldfield, B75 5QJ Tel: 0121 308 3364 |
| Worship Leaders | Di Proctor | Tel: 01543 480442 |
| Carol Law | Tel: 01543 480308 | |
| Alan Bateman | Tel: 01543 257681 | |
| Wardens | Di Proctor | Tel: 01543 480442 |
| Jo Dixon | 01827 383189 | |
| Church Secretary | Jan Warnock | Tel: 01543 480286 E-mail: shenston@fish.co.uk Office open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9.30 am - 1.30 pm |
| Youth Workers | Kathryn Alty | C/O Church Office Tel: 01543 480286 |
| Shane Roche | C/O Church Office Tel: 01543 480286 |
Church Services
| First Sunday | 9.00 am | Holy Communion (1662) |
| 10.45 am | Family Worship | |
| Second Sunday | 9.30 am | Early Birds Service |
| 10.45 am | Family Communion | |
| 6.30 pm | Come Together Service (Informal) | |
| Third Sunday | 9.00 am | Holy Communion |
| 10.45 am | Family Worship | |
| Fourth Sunday | 9.30 am | Early Birds Service |
| 10.45 am | Holy Communion | |
| Fifth Sunday | 10.45 am | Family Worship |
| 6.00 pm | Special Services |
Church Activities
| Day | Time | Activity | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 6.30 pm | S.Y.G. | Church Hall |
| 8.00 pm | House Group | Ian Law's | |
| Monday | 9.00 am | Morning Prayer | Church Sanctuary |
| 7.45 pm | House Group | Ann Toley's | |
| 8.00 pm | Ladies Group | Various venues (3rd Monday) | |
| Tuesday | 11.00 am | Footherley Fellowship | Footherley Hall |
| 8.00 pm | House Group | Di Proctor's | |
| Wednesday | 9.00 am | Morning Prayer | Church Sactuary |
| 9.30 am | Strollers | Various venues | |
| 10.00 am | Mothers & Toddler | Church Hall | |
| 3.00 pm | Women's Fellowship | Church Lounge (2nd Wed.) | |
| Thursday | 6.00 pm | Millennium Club | Church Hall |
| 7.30 pm | The Vibe | Church Hall | |
| 7.30 pm | Bell Ringers | Church Tower | |
| Friday | 7.00 pm | Men's Group | The Pavilion |
Information
This web page has been designed by Wilf Beeson - Email: lichfield.beeson@btinternet.com. If you have any queries or comments regarding the page please contact Wilf. If your query relates to St. John's Church please contact the Vicar.
We hope to add to this page in the near future. Please visit us again when you have time.
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