Former Archbishop of York, the Rt Revd John Sentamu will help St George's Church, Newtown, Church of England Birmingham, celebrate its 50th anniversary this Sunday,1st August 2021 at 10.30. The former Bishop of Birmingham will join 100 other guests and parishioners, as they remember the remarkable history and growth of the community focused church. He will be joined by Shabana Mahmood, local MP for Ladywood.

The building of St George’s was the vision of the Revd Canon Geoffrey Brown, who believed churches should be both sacred spaces and lively centres of community, and hence serving the residents of Newtown.

Opened in 1972, St George’s was one of the first churches which welcomed the first Windrush generation. They were followed by people from Africa, mainly Nigeria and Zimbabwe. The commitment to the wider community was clear from the start, with a large Sunday school, dances, discos and a steel band. The church was also deeply involved with all the local schools and worked hard to achieve post-16 education.

Young people from across the area became involved through an active outreach project, while the open door at the Rectory had many visitors. 

There have been challenges caring for the church members, many of whom arrived with nothing, such as Velma who was evacuated from Montserrat when the volcano erupted.  She is now the Church Warden and says, “St George’s is a place close to my heart, a place I have enjoyed worshipping for twenty years, a place that nurtures diversity in its congregation and in its worship”.

Former curate at the church, the Revd Edgar Ruddock, speaks of the warm welcome he received, of washing the floors after Saturday dances ready for Sunday church, of the annual carnival and the effect of the Birmingham pub bombings on the community. Above all he names how “we all tried to make harmonious relationships between often differing outlooks, both within and beyond the church”.

Present Priest in Charge, the Revd Alison Cozens is delighted the Rt. Revd John Sentamu, is joining them on Sunday. She says “I give God thanks for the deep faith I have encountered in people here at St George's church and the profound trust in the saving power of Jesus' death and resurrection” The Rt. Revd Sentamu says, 'It will be a joy and a blessing to join St George's Newtown as they give thanks to God and celebrate 50 years of St George's church centre, part of a Christian presence in the heart of Birmingham.'

 

Contact: Revd Alison Cozens 07803 433283