St Giles Church, Willenhall - History

History

The original church is believed to have survived until 1748, by which time it had fallen into decay. It was described by Dr. Wilkes, a local antiquary, that the building was unsafe to allow people to congregate there. A new church was constructed in its place in 1750, although the ancient tower remained and in 1788, another storey was added to it. Inside this extension, a peal of eight bells made by Abraham Rudhall of Gloucester were installed. The church building was square in plan and was built of red brick. A chancel was located on the east side of the church. It consisted of 620 seats and an organ which was installed in 1842.

In about 1850, it was decided that a new church should be sought and in a vestry meeting in 1853, W. D. Griffin, a Wolverhampton-based architect, provided designs to alter the church. It was decided that the scheme was too costly and Griffin was told to design a new church in the Gothic style. Construction commenced in 1866 and was completed the following year, with the entire scheme costing £6,700. It was consecrated by Dr. John Lonsdale, Lord Bishop of Lichfield on 18 July 1867. In 1898, the church received a new organ from Hill Norman and Beard to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. In 1900, the first school building was constructed. In 1911, the interior was renovated and oak choir stalls provided. The church was again renovated in 1927, with the addition of a vestry and side chapel, a new high altar of the English pattern and an oak carved pulpit. A mission church of St Giles, dedicated to St Matthias, was built in Shepwell Green in 1907 but then shut in the 1980s.

The St Giles parish, assigned to the church, was created in 1848, before which the church had served as a chapel of ease to St. Peter's Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton. The first burials took place in 1727.

The original peal of bells were recast and rehung in 1933. A further two bells were also added in commemoration of the Silver Jubilee of King George V.

On 31 July 1986 the church was granted Grade II listed status.

The famous Rock Band of the Seventies " Slade " used to rehearse at the Youth Club next to the Church