Please make your own way to Walsall.
10.45 am Meet in the first floor café at ‘The Crossing’, St Paul’s church in Darwall Street where morning refreshments and a biscuit will be provided. This is close to the railway station. The 10.00am train from Birmingham New Street would be ideal. There is also a long term car park nearby in Day Street.
St Paul’s (1891 – 3) is a late but large work by J.L.Pearson. In 1994 – 5 it was sensitively and partially transformed into a shopping arcade and community centre. It is still used for church services with a Day Chapel and worship area . Some of the original Victorian features including Hardman windows are now more visible than before . The current Vicar, Canon Rob Hall is a fan of Pearson’s work and will take us on a guided tour.
Noon We will then cross over Lichfield Street for a guided tour of the principal rooms of the Town Hall (J.G.S. Gibson 1902-5) and then return to St Paul’s for a jacket potato, cake and tea/coffee.
After lunch Ruth Vyse will lead us uphill to the civic church of St Matthew’s pointing out various significant Victorian buildings on the way. At first sight it looks to be a Georgian building by Francis Goodwin (1820-1). In fact, he encased a medieval nave, aisles and tower but the church also has significant Victorian alterations including work by Ewan Christian for reasons that will be explained on the day. We will then walk back downhill via the Victorian Arcade which retains original shop fronts, ending up near the station.
This visit will be limited to 30 people.
You can download the Booking Form here or book on Eventbrite