IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Henwood Lane, SOLIHULL, B91 2TH

The reason this building looks from the outside more like a school than a church, is that it was originally built to serve both functions. It was built by Joseph Gillott in 1879. He owned most of the farms, houses and estates to the east of Solihull. Its use as a school ceased in 1974, and the last service held here was in June 2010. Today the building is still owned by the church, but it functions as a community hall. Now that services are no longer held here, worshippers are invited to attend the mother church, St. Alphege in nearby Solihull.

The village hall in Catherine-de-Barnes (Catney) was originally the school, with chapel (St Catherine's Church) attached, built in 1879 and closed in 1974. Regular church services ceased in 2010. ...or was it a church with school attached?... By 2012 when this image was captured, a strong movement to prevent the church being sold off had started. This was successful, and on 14 December 2012 the Solihull News carried the following information: "The busy village hall, originally built as a school and chapel, has been at risk of closure since regular church services ceased there in 2010. The busy village hall, originally built as a school and chapel, has been at risk of closure since regular church services ceased there in 2010. Church of England Trust had been considering selling the historic building, but they have now reached an agreement with the local community to appoint new trustees to manage the hall. They will also be responsible for raising funds for the upkeep of St Catherine’s. The Rector of St Alphege Fr Tim Pilkington, said: “I am very pleased that we seem to have found a solution. St Catherine’s has had a long association with the local community, who have put a great deal of time and effort into supporting it financially over the years. The proposed plan will guarantee the future of St Catherine’s for the people of Catherine-de-Barnes and at the same time permit the church some continuing use of the building.” The red brick building, in Hampton Lane, was built by Joseph Gillott in 1879.

The Boat Inn is situated in the village of Catherine De Barnes which was once a small area of heath within Longdon Manor. The village takes its name from the 12th century Lord of the Manor whose name was KETELBERNE.

The church was built by Joseph Gillott in 1879, to function additionally as a school, which closed in 1974. Its current use is as a community hall.

Internally the building appears much older than it does from the outside, although it has been much extended over the years. The pub today is part of the Chef & Brewer chain, so the emphasis is very much on food, but they do have some guest real ales. Image

The sign shows two traditional canal narrow boats, as would have been used on the Grand Union Canal, which is nearby. Image

The village hall in Catherine-de-Barnes (Catney) was originally the school, with chapel (St Catherine's Church) attached, built in 1879 and closed in 1974. Regular church services ceased in 2010. ...or was it a church with school attached?... Image]

The village hall in Catherine-de-Barnes (Catney) was originally the school, with chapel (St Catherine's Church) attached, built in 1879 and closed in 1974. Regular church services ceased in 2010. ...or was it a church with school attached?...