about st catherine's church

St Catherine’s Church is the second oldest in the parish of Solihull.  It was built by Joseph Gillott who was the owner of most of the farms, houses and estates to the east of Solihull.  He was concerned for the education of the many children in the district and wished to provide a more convenient school than those in Hampton in Arden or Solihull.  At the same time he saw the benefit of providing a centre of worship for the local people.  To build such a dual purpose building over one hundred years ago showed considerable imagination.
 
The church was built in 1879 and was constructed mainly of brick with at tiled roof.  As well as being the nave of the chapel or mission church the main hall served as a classroom for two classes from 1879 until the school was closed in 1974.  To this day the building continues to serve as the village hall.   The Eastern Sanctuary end is furnished permanently for worship with an altar and altar rails.   The sanctuary is curtained off when the building is used for secular events. 
 
The church’s main windows are in the gothic style, the east window having three lights, only one of which is in stained glass.  This the centre light depicts Mary and the child Jesus.  The window is in memory of Maria Gillott the founder’s wife. 
 
Of national interest is the font which is constructed of wood and which serves as the village war memorial.  The memorial records the names of those from the village who were killed in the first and second world wars.  It has recently been registered with the British Museum National Survey of War Memorials.