"Nechells Green includes Aston, Ashted, Bloomsbury, Duddeston, Saltley, Witton and Ward End. All these in Catholic Times belonged to the parish of Aston, as also Deritend, Castle Bromwich, Park Hall, Water Orton and Erdington."
The above is the opening paragraph of a report on the St. Joseph's Mission, dated 1873. Over the following years, other Catholic churches became established in many of the areas mentioned and are still present to this day.
If we examine the area of Nechells a little further we find there is no actual mention of Nechells in Doomsday Book. Nechells lies to the north east of Birmingham. It has seen many changes in the 800 years that people have lived here.
"The name of Nechells or Echels signifies a wood. The word “echels” in German (of which Saxon is a branch) signifies what quercus does in Latin. One of the Barons of Dudley gave it to the family of Parles, along with some lands at Hannerworth, or Handsworth.
Osbert de Parle conferred all his lands here in Asselles, or Nechells, upon a natural son, called Raynald de Asselles. A descendant of his in 1330, for. £42. He also gave the manor to Simon del Holte, of Birmingham, and his heirs, with whom it shared the fortunes of Aston. It was anciently a very pretty village, for in the 34th year of Edward III. Sir Thomas de Arden, a knight, built a mansion here, as appears by a license granted to him by Robert de Stretton, Bishop of the Diocese, to have a private oratory and a chaplain for himself and his family.
About the year 1730 Nechells consisted of four farms and one cottage."
The above information was a description of Nechells, also taken from the report of 1873. '
Birmingham had been a market town from the 12th century. The farmers in Nechells were able to sell their produce to the town dwellers. By 1760, all land in Nechells was "enclosed", except 10 acres at Nechells Green.
There were three rivers bordering the area ‑ the Tame to the north, the Rea to the east and Aston Brook to the west. Water was used to drive mills, initially to grind corn and later for industrial purposes. Thimble Mill used water from Aston Brook and was the first metal rolling mill in the city circa l740, but had been used for making blades since 1532. Edge tools were made at Benton's Mill. Another blade mill was Nechells Park Mill, started in 1693. Few traces of mills remain today, except in road names.
In 1838, Nechells became part of the borough of Birmingham. With the rapid expansion of industries and higher wages these provided, people surged into the area (the Industrial Revolution)
St Joseph's Church, 1850.
There is little doubt there were two main reasons for the emergence of St Joseph's. One being the need for a Catholic cemetery, the other being the population increase within the area, although it seems the cemetery may have been the initial aim.
" The Burial Ground at St. Peter's Chapel, [Broad Street] which had been the sole place of interment for Catholics since 1826, had become so over used, that it became necessary to provide some new locality. Accordingly, a large piece of land, consisting of about 4 acres, was bought for £1,000, in the parish of Aston, and dedicated for that purpose.
On Sept. 18th, 1850, the new Cemetery of St. Joseph, Nechells Green, was consecrated by Bishop Ullathorne, attended by twenty priests and the choir from St. Chad's, in surplices. All the Psalms were chanted. The service lasted two hours. There was a short sermon; and, fortunately, the weather was fine." (Again from the report of 1873)
The chancel of St Joseph’s Church (where the altar is placed) was built as a chapel for the new cemetery in Thimble Mill Lane. It was in fact the first Catholic cemetery in Birmingham.
Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin,(
1812-1852)
Architect and Designer Great Britain's foremost architect and designer of
the nineteenth century. Designed the building. He was a man with extraordinary talent, verve and
perspicacity. A man who believed in himself and harboured a passion for Gothic
styles and the Catholic Church. ) who was involved in the planning of many fine
churches, including St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham Built in Bath stone, the
total cost was £800.00.
The Industrial Revolution and the Irish immigration from the famine years of 1848/49 in Ireland had greatly increased the Catholic population in Birmingham, Nechells in particular. Partially in consequence of the increasing population, early in 1867 it was decided to install a resident priest at St Joseph's.
By 1870, the cemetery chapel
was too small. Bishop Ullathome
gave his blessing for its extension.. The
building of the nave was started in July 1871 and completed the following April.
Bishop Ullathorne opened it on Friday 21st April 1872.Edward W Pugin (Son of A W
N Pugin) designed the church, in the early English style.
The Centenary Celebrations were held on 21st April 1972, with a celebrated Mass led by the Most Rev George Patrick Dwyer, Archbishop of Birmingham.
During late 2000 and 2001, the interior of the Church underwent considerable restoration. The formal ceremony to mark the restoration took place on the 1st May 2002 in a ceremony conducted by the Archbishop of Birmingham, Vincent Nicholls.
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Since its small beginnings, St Joseph's Church has served the people of Nechells well for 152 years.
The current parish Priest, at St Joseph’s is Father Gerry McArdle.
Francis Gerard McArdle was born in Burren, Warrenpoint, County Down, Northern Ireland on the 17th June 1940. Father Gerry grew up in the Parish of St Mary’s, Burren, Warrenpoint. He was initially educated at Carrick Elementary School before moving to St. Coleman’s College Grammar School, Violet Hill, Newry, Co. Down.
Amongst the many acquaintances and neighbours of the McArdle family were Peter Mc Parland and Pat Jennings. Peter played for Aston Villa and Northern Ireland. He represented his country on many occasions. Villa fans will no doubt remember that Peter scored both goals in the 1957 Cup Final against Manchester United. Pat Jennings of course went onto play for both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in addition to many games for his country. Northern Ireland.
On leaving college, Father Gerry started work at The Reed International Paper Company. He would remain here for 6 years. It was whilst there, that he finally decided upon becoming a priest. To use his own word, “ I was influenced by the faith of my parents, grandmother, relations, local people, teachers and missionaries, many from our district, who had answered the call and were priests, nuns or brothers serving many far off places including Africa, America, China and the Philippines”.
Father Gerry commenced his training at St Joseph’s Cistercian Abbey, Mount Melleray, Cappoquin Waterford in 1965. He would eventually move to St Patrick’s College, County Carlow, where he completed his studies 6 years later. He was ordained at his home parish church of St Mary’s on the 8th January 1972, with his parents and many of the family present.
Prior to his ordination, Father Gerry had come to Birmingham as a Deacon. He had given his first sermon at St. Dunstan’s Kings Heath. He had also worked at St. Theresa’s Perry Barr with Father Sean McTiernan, now Canon McTiernan. He remembers receiving much guidance from the Canon. Later as an assistant Priest he moved to Wolverhampton to work with Bishop Cleary, at St Mary and St John. He would remain there for 5 years. Whilst here, he was Chaplain to the Royal Hospital. No longer in existence. He then became Parish Priest at Corpus Christie, Wednesfield. Whilst there he oversaw the improvement of the parish, including the building of a new church. He also undertook the duties of Chaplain at both Brinsford and Featherstone Young Offenders Prison.
It is clear that in the past, Father Gerry excelled in a number of sports including soccer, rugby and hurling. It was however in the sport of Gaelic football that he achieved his greatest satisfaction, when in 1958 he played for his college, in Croke Park, National Stadium, in an all Ireland Semi Final before 70.000 people. This game was a crowd -warmer, played before the All-Ireland League Final that would then take place between Galway and Louth. Today Father Gerry still likes his sport and, when times are convenient, visits Villa Park for matches. As he says, “I have many happy memories from sport”.
I hope you have found this information about Father Gerry, of interest.
Main altar St Joseph's
Side or Lady altar St Joseph's
