HANDSWORTH HERALD
July 12 1890

 ST JOHNS CHURCH

In 1831, the first stone of a new church was laid by then representatives of the Gough-Calthorpe family. It was intended to serve as a place of worship for the tenants on the estate, for the labourers and villagers, who before that time had to walk over to Handsworth or Aston Church for service. To the church was assigned a district some seven miles long, and three or four miles broad in places.

A vicarage house was built, and a comfortable endowment provided. The situation of the church is low. The river Tame, here a pellucid stream flows one hundred yards or so to the south by Perry bridge, one of the best specimens of long narrow bridges of the sixteenth century now remaining. It is nearly 150 yards long, with semi-circular arches and angular projects for foot passengers to take refuse in from the ancient road-wagon (zig zag bridge) which with ponderous wheels, and over-hanging loads, passed along the highway from Stafford or Lichfield.

In 1725, it is said to be “standing upon a great water”. Formerly, the Tame valley was subject to frequent flooding, and owing to the inadequate system of drainage, the water did not pass off so quickly as it does now. The site of the church must have been under water after heavy rains. It is now high and dry enough. A thick grove of trees on the south, the home of a thriving colony of rooks, the proximity of the river, and the find park trees around, give a romantic air to the place, and the building is in keeping with the surroundings. The red sandstone of the district soon becomes moss grown and appears venerable.

A doorway in the tower at the west and gives access to a somewhat plain Gothic structure, contrasting with the exterior bristling with crocheted pinnacles and numerous buttresses, the church is rather dark. On the south side a mortuary chapel of the Gough family adds much to the appearance of the church. The chancel is new. Here, as at Handsworth, Aston, Edgbaston, Moseley and other suburbs, we trace the hand of Mr Chatwin, and as usual he has designed something out of keeping with the original building. True the work is unfinished. A transept has yet to be added, but the exterior is so plain that it contrasts unfavourably with the, too ornamented style of the older work. The interior is more pleasing. We cannot leave the church without a glance at the monuments, may of them of great size and extremely elaborate. Besides the family tomb the Calthorpe’s, there is at the west end a lofty Gothic spire, marking the resting place of the Winfield’s, owners of the great manufactory in Cambridge Street.

He who would attend service at the Parish Church of Perry must do in the morning or afternoon, for evening service there is none. Perhaps Perry is the only suburb within a short distance of the centre of Birmingham where the practice of closing the church on Sunday evenings prevails. Should anyone enquire the reason, he will be told that the gas pipes do not reach so far as Perry Church, hence the service cannot be held. Rather a lame excuse forsooth. Lamps are used in hundreds of country churches, and might be used here. We venture to think that there are other reasons:-
 

    Firstly, Perry Church is very much in the country. There are not many houses at hand, while the two district churches are situated in     populous neighbourhoods.

   Secondly, there are two pars to three churches, and since clergymen, like other people, cannot be in two places at once, it follows that     one of the three churches must be closed on Sunday evenings.

   Thirdly, and lastly, Perry is an aristocratic place, almost the only suburb where the squire is resident in his ancestral mansion; where feudalism lingers despite the advance of the jerry-builder and all his myrmidons. Half a century ago, people rose earlier than they do now, and the parish priest of the old school delighted to finish his work before he dined, and the hour for Sunday dinner being 6.o.clock, evening service was not to be thought of. The squire too, naturally objected to lose his dinner for the sake of a service and so early services were the rule, and not a bad rule either.