St Bartholomew's Church, Edgbaston


St Bartholomew's Church, Edgbaston, also known as Edgbaston Old Church, is a parish church in the Church of England in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

History

The Grade II listed church is medieval, but was largely rebuilt in the 19th century. The chancel, chapels and north arcade were added in 1885 by J. A. Chatwin, who is buried in the churchyard. His grave monument, along with those of William Hoddinott, Jane Bellis and Catherine Chavasse is Grade II listed.
A memorial to physician and botanist Dr. William Withering, who pioneered the medical use of digitalis, is situated on the south wall of the Lady Chapel, and features carvings of foxgloves and Witheringia solanaceae, a plant named in his honour.

Bells

The tower contains a ring of eight bells, with a tenor weight of. The earliest four date from 1685. The bells are rung by the Birmingham University Society of Change Ringers during term time.

Organ

A small organ was given to the church by Lord Calthorp in 1837. A Hill organ was built and placed in the gallery in 1857. It was moved to a south east position in the church in 1890. The current organ was rebuilt by Norman and Beard dating from 1956. The organ was extensively damaged by rain water after a theft of lead from the church roof. It was rebuilt at a cost of £70,000 and relocated to its current position in the north east of the church in 2012. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.

List of organists

Burials

Also in the churchyard is the war grave of a Loyal Regiment officer, Lieutenant Rowland Charles Mason, of World War I.