Minister's of Knowle United Reformed Church.                         Home

Ministers: Rev. Kevin Jones Rev. Christine Fowler Rev. Graham Spicer Rev. David Pitkeathly Rev. Robin May
  Rev.Sydney Roberts Rev. Basil Bridge Knowle Independent Ch. Knowle Congregational Knowle URC

 

Rev. Kevin Jones  January 2007-

Kevin trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant before receiving a call to ministry. He did his ministerial training at Mansfield College, Oxford, which included a year based at Abbey Hill United Reformed Church in Kenilworth. During his time at college Kevin married Helen.

 

Kevin was ordained in September 1993 to the pastorate of Longton and Uttoxeter. During this time he also became minister of a Mission Project of the United Reformed Church which involved the successful re-opening of a small chapel on the Staffordshire Moorlands at Tomkin for the farming community.

 

In 1999 Kevin was called to Digbeth-in-the-Field United Reformed Church in Birmingham, where he is still the minister.

 

Kevin’s involvement with the church at Knowle began in January 2006 when he was appointed interim minister, and this led to him being inducted as the minister of Knowle United Reformed Church in January 2007.

 

Kevin divides his duties between Knowle and Digbeth-in-the-Field, and also is part of the Management Committee at Bloomsbury United Reformed Church Centre.

 

 

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Past Ministers

 

Rev Christine Fowler  2000-2006

 

After an earlier career in nursing , including service abroad with the CCWM. Christine prepared for ministry at Northern College , Manchester, followed by ordination in 1981.  Her first churches were The North Devon Group 1981-86.  Tabernacle, Chippenham & Christian Malford 1986-95; Frome 1995-1996; East Howe 1998-2000.

She served as minister of the Knowle and Christ Church, Solihull pastorate from 2000 to 2006, and from 2006 at Christ Church.  Her husband, Rev. Roy Fowler, was joint minister of Olton URC and Trinity URC at Hall Green 2000-2006. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Rev. Graham Spicer   1984-1998

 

A native of Leamington.   Graham trained for ministry at Northern College, Manchester 1976. . His first pastorate was at Hardware Street,West Bromwich, where he served from 1976-84.  . He was minister of the joint pastorate of Knowle and Christ Church from 1984 to 1998. . During these years he was twice chaplain to Solihull MBC’s mayor. In 1998 he moved to St Peter's, Bishopstone, Stratford upon Avon URC and the Methodist Church in Henley-in-Arden.between 1998 and 2003.  Continuing at Stratford upon Avon URC from 2003

He is married to Rita.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Rev. David Pitkeathly  1969-1984

David became lay pastor of Knowle Congregational Church ion May 31st 1969 whilst working at his ‘day job’ with H.M.Customs.  He studied for ordination in his ‘spare time’ and was finally ordained in 1980.  During his ministry the Church grew considerably, meeting the needs of families in Knowle’s growing population. Along with other local Congregational Churches, Knowle became part of the URC in 1972.  David's widow, Eileen, continues to attend Knowle URC

 

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Rev. Robin May  1964-1968

Robin May was ordained and inducted into the joint pastorate of Knowle and Hampton in Arden in 1964. During his pastorate ,the church hall was built and a scout group established.  Robin went to Woodford Green Congregational Church in 1968.  

"I shall be sorry in many ways to be leaving Knowle.  I have a great number of friends there and in Hampton also... It has not been easy in Knowle... I came to Knowle straight from College, and somebody said at that time that no man leaving College could be facing a more difficult situation.  There was an element of truth in this... But I think churches throughout the country are facing difficult times.  I shall never lose the affection I have felt for Knowle and I wish, most sincerely, that the church here will have every success in the future."  Solihull News, Oct.5th. 1968

 

His widow lives locally and attends Dorridge Methodist Church.

 

 

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Rev. Sydney Roberts  1960-61

Mr Roberts, following a ministry in Weoley Castle became minister of the Solihull Group of Congregational Churches, - Knowle,     Hampton in Arden and Hob’s Moat. He served from 1960-61.

 

 

 

 

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J. Ryland Lawrence     1957-1960

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Rev Basil Bridge 1951—1955

Basil Bridge, URC Minister and hymnwriter, Norwich.

MA Cheshunt 1951.  His first ministry was at Knowle, Warwickshire 1951-55.  He then moved to Bond Street Leicestershire  1955-67, Abbotts Road 1955-74, Stamford and Bourne 1976-89 and Harrold 1989 – 94 before retiring.

 

This is the truth we hold,

source of the joy we share,

hope that can make us bold

trusting the name we bear;

that ‘Christ has died’ and ‘Christ is risen,

in Christ shall all be made alive.’ 

Basil Bridge 1927-    

Photograph on the right taken at his induction at Knowle Congregational Church

 

The membership was about 30; it was classed as "Strategic"..  In 1951 there were six deacons- three men, and their wives!   One unusual feature of the congregation was the attendance at morning service in term time of the pupils at Springfield House, a residential school under the Birmingham Education Authority. During my four years a hall was added, and a Boy's Brigade Company started; this latter was thanks to a former BB Captain at Stetchford Meth. moving into our district.  Basil Bridge (writing Feb 2008)

 

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G. H. Medhurst    1946-1951     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Rev. N.P.Stead  1943-46

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 Ministers of Knowle Independent Church

1696    Charles C1emenson (also at Moseley 1703—1705)

1706    Mr. Nett1eton (also in charge of Southam)

1707    No-one appointed until 1709

1709    Samuel Knight

1712    John Sparry

1714    John Tonks (also lectured at Kingswood, Worcs.) until 1722

1735    Meetings reported “dropped”.

1749    John Wes1ey visited Knowle and preached at the Red Lion

1828    William Hood, found a meeting place and this was registered for
             dissenting worship on 31st March 1828.  

1838-   No resident Minister. Served by William Hood who built the first Independent Chapel in the High Street jointly with Solihull.  The Chapel must have  closed before 1855 because it  was then re-opened for worship under the auspices of Solihull (Christchurch) Congregational Church..

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Ministers of Knowle Congregational Church

1876-1887    William Baker Row

1887              No resident minister until:

l921-1926      E. Ambrose Pickering (with Hampton- In- Arden)

l928-1933      F. Partridge (not resident minister. Later County
                                             Chairman of County Union.)

1933-1935     J  Bolton Petts (not resident minister)

1936-1939     G.N. Hall (not resident minister: pastor of Coleshill)

1943-1946      N.P. Stead - See above

1946-1951      G. H. Medhurst (not resident minister: pastor of Olton)

1951-1955      Basil E. Bridge, M.A.  - See above

1957-1960      J. Ryland Lawrence

1960-1961      Sidney Vincent Roberts - See above

1961-1964      No resident Minister: the chapel served mainly by
                         laymen.

1964-1968      Rev. Robin May

1969-1972      Rev. David Pitkeathly   Continued Below

Ministers of Knowle United Reformed Church

1972-1984       Rev. David Pitkeathly            Continued from above.

1984-1998       Rev. Graham Spicer              Minister shared with Christ church, Solihull  (ratio Christ church 3: Knowle 1)

2000-2006       Rev Christine Fowler             Minister shared with Christ church, Solihull  (ratio Christ church 3: Knowle 1)

2006-               Rev. Kevin Jones                   Minister shared with Digbeth in the Field     (ratio Digbeth 3: Knowle 1)