Bromsgrove Parish

There has been a Christian church in the town for nearly 1,000 years. St. John’s is the oldest church building with parts dating back to the 12^th century. As Bromsgrove, Finstall and Catshill expanded so new parishes were formed, with their own churches in Catshill (Christ Church 1838) Finstall (St. Godwald’s 1884) and Dodford (Holy Trinity and St. Mary 1908). All Saints Church was built just north of the town centre in 1874.

At the same time other denominations established churches in Bromsgrove including the Baptists, Methodists and Roman Catholics all of which continue today with strong and lively congregations. There are also small congregations of the United Reformed Church and Salvation Army and in recent years a Free Evangelical Church - the NewSong Church - has been very active in the Sidemoor estate to the North West of the town centre. There are excellent relationships with all churches and co-operation in mission and ministry is provided by an active Churches Together partnership. In Catshill there are sizeable Baptist and Methodist congregations that work closely together with Christ Church.

In the 1960’s two smaller multi-use buildings were developed. St. Andrew’s in the middle of the Charford Estate, part of St. John’s parish, is the base for the ABC Project, led by a Church Army captain, and services are held there every Sunday. St. Luke’s in Marlbrook, at the eastern side of Catshill, is now used mainly by community groups.