St. Laurence Church

Northfield Church 1910 and 2015. I tried to take a picture from the same spot, but all the trees have grown some in 105 years. Instead I stood in the shade of one of the now fully gown yews and took this snap. Lots of detail with modern cameras, can you spot the seagull on the flag pole? The Grade I listed church dates from the 12th century and contains some of the finest Early English work in the county. It also has a rare 14th-century timber porch outside the south door. The north aisle was added in 1900 by George Frederick Bodley. The gridiron associated with the martyrdom of St. Laurence can be seen in the stonework of the church tower.

August 2015

The timber porch dates back to  the 14th Century (early photo with iron gates)

Northfield Lych Gate

Northfield Church Lych Gate. From a postcard dated 1916. 'Lych' is the Saxon word for corpse. Before the use of coffins when people was buried in a shroud a ceremony was carried out under these gates.

St. Laurence School

St Laurence School children say farewell to the Revd Tom Thompson, 20 July 1982. The Revd Thompson was Rector at St Laurence Church from 1978 to 1982 and his wife Mary was a teacher at St Laurence C/E Infant School. (Birmingham Post & Mail)

St. Laurence Church

St. Laurence Church (Northfield Church), The Grade I listed building dates from the 12th century and contains some of the finest early English work in the county. It also has a rare 14th-century timber porch outside the south door. The gridiron associated with the martyrdom of St. Laurence can be seen in the stonework of the church tower. (wiki)

One of the most popular postcard scenes of Northfield village is this one, including the Great Stone Inn & Village Pound. Second most popular is the the view from the south side, Church Hill.

 Some of the stained glass windows in the church. The beautiful depth of colour and ornate designs of the windows are masterpieces contributed to the work of Hardman & Co. Modern copies of the original pieces.

A well-known legend has persisted from earliest times. As deacon in Rome, St Lawrence was charged with the responsibility for the material goods of the Church and the distribution of alms to the poor. St Ambrose of Milan relates that when St Lawrence was asked for the treasures of the Church he brought forward the poor, among whom he had divided the treasure as alms. "Behold in these poor persons the treasures which I promised to show you; to which I will add pearls and precious stones, those widows and consecrated virgins, which are the church’s crown." The prefect was so angry that he had a great gridiron prepared, with coals beneath it, and had Lawrence’s body placed on it (hence St Lawrence's association with the gridiron).

 St. Laurence died aged 28 in 258 AD. He was roasted alive (on a gridiron) by the Romans and suffered great pain, after which he was said to have said; "Turn me over, i'm done on this side"

St. Laurence Church

The Grade I listed church[dates from the 12th century and contains some of the finest Early English work in the county. It also has a rare 14th-century timber porch outside the south door. The north aisle was added in 1900 by George Frederick Bodley. The gridiron associated with the martyrdom of St. Laurence can be seen in the stonework of the church tower. (wiki)

1935 plan drawing of St. Laurence Church, Northfield, showing ages of stonework. The wooden porch that was added in 14th century, still survives today. Hardman and Co. who replaced the original 13th Century stained glass also worked on the Houses Of Commons windows.

Church Hill

Top end by Church & Rectory

Little cottage in the corner of Beech's Farm was the Station Masters House for the Midland Railway.  It's almost opposite the just out of view, end of Woodlands Road . Circa 1895. Beeches Farm was over 5 acres in size and that cottage was on 0.3 acres. Two footpaths led from Beeches Farm, one to Quarry Farm & the other to Bristol Road South. There was still over 37 farms in Northfield as late as 1970. I've also added a new photo from the same spot today.

2015 The same view of Church Hill & St. Lawrence Church in 100 years on !