Origin After the
English Reformation, during the
penal years of
recusancy, Catholics in Solihull would go to
Baddesley Clinton to receive the
sacraments. In 1760, on the site of the current church, a chapel was built behind a house so that it was not visible from the street. It was built by Mr Hugford Hassall, who was related to Margaret Kempson, the wife of Thomas Ferrers of Baddesley Clinton.
Construction In April 1838, construction work started on the church.
Augustus Pugin was the architect. He worked on the church free of charge. He also donated some of the furnishings, such as a
triptych that hung behind the
high altar, originally from
Flanders. Additional work was done by
Thomas Roddis (d. 1845) who also worked on
St Giles' Catholic Church, Cheadle, and
John Hardman Jr (d. 1865). The church is in the
Gothic Revival style with a focus on looking more
Early English Gothic. On 6 February 1839, the church was opened by
Henry Weedall. Hardman and Pugin both played a role in the opening Mass. Hardman was one of the singers and Pugin carried the
processional cross.
Developments After its construction, more furnishings were added to the church, and extensions were made. Most of the extension work was funded by the
Pippet family of Solihull. In 1866, a window, by Hardman & Co., was put into place in the eastern wall of the church. In 1870, a
reredos was installed below the window. It was designed by
Joseph Aloysius Pippet. In 1878, a new
chancel was added to the church, and the triptych and reredos were moved into it. In 1892, Joseph Pippet added two more statues and enlarged some of the windows. In 1897, a new bell and
belfry were added. In 1900, a
baptistry and
gallery were installed. In 1917, a
pulpit was donated by the
church congregation. In 1920, a
rood cross was installed and acted as a war memorial for the
First World War. It was designed and painted by Odilia, Regina and Elphege Pippet. In 1930, the
nave was redecorated by Hardman and the Pippets according to plans made in 1892. In 1932, a
Lourdes grotto was made in the church garden, again designed by Elphege Pippet. On 12 July 1932, the church was
consecrated. In 1939, the
stations of the cross were replaced with new ones. In the 1970s, with a growing congregation, plans were drawn up to enlarge the church. From January to December 1979, despite objections from
The Victorian Society, work was done to enlarge the church by building a new space to the north of the church, sitting at right angles to the altar. The
presbytery, baptistry, and north wall were demolished to make space for it. However, the capacity of the church was doubled. In 2010, the chancel was renovated and a new altar was consecrated. ==Parish==