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MUCH BIRCH CHURCH

The Much Birch village church, dedicated to St Mary and St Thomas a Becket is in the Wormelow Hundred Group of seven Parishes.  The church is located at the centre of the parish in a prominent position on the A49, its tower visible from most parts of the parish.  The recently restored church clock was installed in 1921 as a parish war memorial and is a fine time piece.  The church forms part of a grouping of community buildings with the Much Birch Surgery and the Community Hall.  The church is well attended, providing weekly services for an Anglican congregation and conducting weddings and funerals.

The Old Rectory was built in 1880 but was sold by the Diocese in the 1970's when the house needed extensive repairs and the proximity of the A49 after straightening was making the house unsafe for children.  The Old Rectory is now the Pilgrim Hotel.  The replacement rectory from the 1970's was built next to the Community Hall but is now leased out by the Diocese as the present Priest-in-Charge resides at The Rectory, Birch Lodge.

LITTLE BIRCH CHURCH

The Little Birch village church, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin is in the Wormelow Hundred Group of seven Parishes. 

The earliest records of the church date back to 1560, but the present building was constructed by Stephen Thackwell in 1869 replacing a decaying medieval building.  Thackwell, rector at that time, was a wealthy philanthropic man and paid for the entire construction himself.

The church is built of Ham Hill and Bath stone, and consists of nave, north aisle, chancel with polygonal apse, and bell-turret over the west gable.  The windows are filled with painted glass by Harland and Fisher of London.  The architect was William Chick, Esq., of Hereford, and the builders were Messrs. Coleman and Sons.  Among the relics from the old church may be noticed the Norman font dated 1260, communion-table and bier of the date 1557. 

Birch Methodist CHAPEL

First built in 1858.

The Chapel is at the top of Barrack Hill in Aconbury/Little Birch Parishes.  

Closed in December 2011.

Page last updated Tuesday, 20 December 2011
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