Three historic Church of England churches within Dudley MBCwill be open to the public on Black Country Day, 14 July. TopChurch and Bottom Church in the town centre will both be open along with StJohns Church in Brockmoor. Its an opportunity to explore the buildings, takea break from the heat and enjoy some refreshments!
Kate Andrew has been working with the three churches to helpthem to be ready to greet visitors on Black Country Day. She said:
All three churcheshave been on the Historic England Buildings at Risk register for some time,but thanks to awards from the Heritage Lottery Fund, dedicated work by localvolunteers and many months of building conservation work, they are now in muchbetter condition. Wed like to invite people to come in and see what weredoing as well as our plans for the future.
St Thomas and St Lukes (Top Church, Dudley) is celebratingthe 200th anniversary of the present building and will be open for visitorsbetween 10am and 1pm.The church now hasa leak-free roof but there is much more to do still on the stone work andwindows in order to get it fit for purpose for the new resourcing church thatwill be based there. The church has a number of future community activities andprojects planned.
St Johns Church Brockmoor will be open from 10am until 2pm.Visitors can enjoy A chip off the old Brockma, a family friendly event withfree cake and a cuppa, see one of the stonemasons at work, have a go atbuilding a mini stone wall, maybe even try their hand at stone carving whilstfinding out about the work that has been done.The Church has just completed work on the roof, guttering and drains andthe building is no longer at risk, but further work is planned for thekitchen and toilets to make the building fit for a wide range of community uses.
St Edmund King and Martyr (Bottom Church, Dudley) will beopen from 10am to 4pm with a display, tea, coffee and cakes and free guidedtours at 11m, 1pm and 3pm. Thechurch hasjust started work on the church tower to replace failing stone work, damagedbricks, a leaking roof and windows that have been boarded up for many years.New toilets and a kitchen will also becreated.
All are welcome to call into any of the churches to see ourplans!
