The Warwick Team Ministry
Our History
The population of Warwick grew rapidly in the early 1800s when the opening of the canal enabled many new industries to develop in the local area. The workforce was housed in the newly-erected streets in the western parts of the town, such as Crompton Street, Woodhouse Street, and Queen’s Square. As the population grew, the churchyards of St Mary and St Nicholas became full, and in 1823 both churches petitioned the Bishop of Worcester for extra burial space.
As a result, on 23rd July 1824, ground was consecrated in Friars Street, and later in the same year a cemetery chapel was built. This was known as St Mary’s Episcopal Chapel, being served by St Mary’s, and was used exclusively for burials.
Then, in 1842, it was proposed that a new Free Church should be built. Two years later, the Parish of St Paul’s was formed out of the western part of St Mary’s Parish. The church was completed in the same year and consecrated on 26th July 1844 by the Bishop of Worcester*. The completed church embraced the original Cemetery Chapel, which became the south transept.
More about the Building
The church has been reordered a couple of times in its history. In 1978, the interior was converted from an east/west orientation to north/south and the nave was partitioned to form the hall. The south transept became part of the nave. Then, in 2001, the east/west orientation was reinstated. The roof remains untouched and is of hammer-beam construction.
There are shields on the end of the roof-beams bearing the arms of English dioceses and, on those flanking the east window, angels.
There are also a number of lovely stained glass windows. The main east window features schemes from the life of Christ.
On the north side of the church are three windows, the central one being in memory of Capt. Wilfred Hensley who was killed in action at St Quentin, France, in 1918 aged 23. He was the only son of the Revd H G Hensley, sometime vicar of the parish. The windows either side were created by Jane Gray of Shrawardine, Shrewsbury, who later assisted Lawrence Lee, the chief designer of the Coventry Cathedral nave windows. These feature various designs, including Christian symbols, the Warwick Borough and Coventry Diocese coats of arms, and representations of local features: the racecourse, Warwick Castle, the Market Hall, St John’s House, part of the County Museum, a local school, the Westgate clock face, and the Seven Stars sign from the pub next door.
The south side windows feature more scenes from Christian life, and memorials to the Revd W F McMichael (d. 1883), Frances Smith wife of the first vicar (d. 1859) and Catherine their third daughter (d. 1863), Charlotte Sabin Lucan who served the church for 30 years (d. 1865), and William Shepherd who for 30 years was superintendent of St Paul’s Sunday School (d. 1888).
Finally, the church has an unusual square bell turret with a pyramid-shaped roof.
*Note: Warwick now falls under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Coventry.
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The population of Warwick grew rapidly in the early 1800s when the opening of the canal enabled many new industries to develop in the local area. The workforce was housed in the newly-
As a result, on 23rd July 1824, ground was consecrated in Friars Street, and later in the same year a cemetery chapel was built. This was known as St Mary’s Episcopal Chapel, being served by St Mary’s, and was used exclusively for burials.
Then, in 1842, it was proposed that a new Free Church should be built. Two years later, the Parish of St Paul’s was formed out of the western part of St Mary’s Parish. The church was completed in the same year and consecrated on 26th July 1844 by the Bishop of Worcester*. The completed church embraced the original Cemetery Chapel, which became the south transept.
More about the Building
The church has been reordered a couple of times in its history. In 1978, the interior was converted from an east/west orientation to north/south and the nave was partitioned to form the hall. The south transept became part of the nave. Then, in 2001, the east/west orientation was reinstated. The roof remains untouched and is of hammer-
There are shields on the end of the roof-
There are also a number of lovely stained glass windows. The main east window features schemes from the life of Christ.
On the north side of the church are three windows, the central one being in memory of Capt. Wilfred Hensley who was killed in action at St Quentin, France, in 1918 aged 23. He was the only son of the Revd H G Hensley, sometime vicar of the parish. The windows either side were created by Jane Gray of Shrawardine, Shrewsbury, who later assisted Lawrence Lee, the chief designer of the Coventry Cathedral nave windows. These feature various designs, including Christian symbols, the Warwick Borough and Coventry Diocese coats of arms, and representations of local features: the racecourse, Warwick Castle, the Market Hall, St John’s House, part of the County Museum, a local school, the Westgate clock face, and the Seven Stars sign from the pub next door.
The south side windows feature more scenes from Christian life, and memorials to the Revd W F McMichael (d. 1883), Frances Smith wife of the first vicar (d. 1859) and Catherine their third daughter (d. 1863), Charlotte Sabin Lucan who served the church for 30 years (d. 1865), and William Shepherd who for 30 years was superintendent of St Paul’s Sunday School (d. 1888).
Finally, the church has an unusual square bell turret with a pyramid-
*Note: Warwick now falls under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Coventry.
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More than just a Building
St Paul’s is more than an interesting building. We pray that it is a living church, a building in which the lives of those who come to worship are shaped and given purpose by the life-
