The Parish of

Berkswich

In 1889 Brother Booth, a lay evangelist, was appointed to conduct regular Christian services at Brocton. These were held at the “black and White” cottage by the Green, and later at Brocton Hall. In the autumn of that year Brother Booth began to raise money for the establishment of a permanent place of worship in Brocton. The eventual setting up of the Mission Room, as All Saints was originally called, took place during the ministry of the rev. F. G. Inge on land generously given by Mr. C. Chetwynd of Brocton Hall. The Mission Room was built for the sum of £200 which was raised by public subscription. It was opened by the Bishop of Shrewsbury on Friday12th January 1891.

In 1916 the Mission Room was licensed for the holding of Divine Service, in 1923 it was licensed for the celebration of Holy Communion and in 1941 a licence was issued for baptisms. Up to the present day it is not licensed  for the solemnisation of matrimony.

During 1950 a demand came from the parishioners that the building should be fully dedicated and after submission of many suggestions by unanimous decision it was dedicated to All Saints. The dedication was conducted by the Bishop of Lichfield on 1st November 1951.

During 1950 it was found necessary to extend the church to accommodate the increasing congregation and plans were made to add a new south aisle onto the side of the church.  This was carried out in 1955 and dedicated on the 10th June by the Bishop of Stafford.  With further development of the activities of the church it became obvious that a further extension would be necessary and this was accomplished in 1983-4 by the building of a further room adjoining the vestry together with toilet facilities.

Plan of All Saints Church 

Points of particular interest

1.The Crucifix: hanging above the organ can be seen what is considered by many as a special crucifix. This crucifix was originally designed for a war memorial and the sculptor, in a humble way, tried to convey the idea of victory over death by portraying Christ as a young man, beardless, without trace of suffering, clothed and crowned like a King. This crucifix was amongst the exhibits at the 1951 Lambeth Palace Exhibition of Christian Art. It was an anonymous gift by a Brocton worshipper.

2. The Cross:  This cross situated above the entrance doorway is sculpted in stainless steel and was dedicated in June 1996. It was donated by a member of the congregation in memory of his wife. It replaces the original wooden cross, made and given by Brother Booth, which had suffered the ravages of time and weather for over 100 years.

3. The Organ: In the early days of the Mission Room, music was provided by an harmonium. This instrument was eventually replaced  in 1950 by an organ. As the age of electronics took off, the instrument was replaced with a more updated by an updated version in 1972 and again in 1996 and 2007. In all instances the instrument  that provided church music at Brocton has been donated by worshippers.

4. The Pews: All of the pews are made to match,, in light oak, by a local craftsman. Most bear inscriptions that refer to the worshippers who donated them.

5. Altar Rails and Prayer Desk: These were donated as gifts by worshippers in 1951.

6. Stained Glass windows: In the north side of the nave are recent additions. They were installed in 1996 and donated by the Smallwood family.

7. Stained Glass window:: In the west end were donated  in memory of  Marjorie and Fred Gee who worshipped in this church for many years .

8. the cruciform Window: In the east wall was donated by Allan and Rose Cook  following a holiday in Northern Cyprus where Rose had been impressed by the Altar window in the small church of St. Andrew,s in Kyrenia.. The Stone surround is Derbyshire Grit from Hollington quarry. The window was installed and dedicated in 2004.

It is very difficult to identify all of the treasures in this church, all one can say is they have been donated by worshippers over the years.

(The Parish of Berkswich acknowledges the use of material originally researched and published
by Des Sant and Alf Middlefell in the compilation of this page.)