The first church in the parish was St. Magdelene. It is likely to have originally been a timber-built structure and rebuilt in stone by the Normans but very little is known about the building. The only written reference to the name of the church found so far is from a court case in 1386 concerning… Continue reading St. Magdelene Church
Tag: Religion
Ringing Through the Centuries: The Story of St. John the Baptist Church Bells
The bells of St. John the Baptist Church in Armitage have evolved from two simple 16th-century bells to six majestic ones by 2001. They echo centuries of history, innovation, and community effort, celebrating milestones and bringing life to the village with their resounding melodies.
Discovery of a vault under the chancel of Armitage Church
The rediscovery of a hidden 19th-century family vault beneath the chancel of St. John the Baptist Church in Armitage revealed links to the Lister family of Armitage Park. Likely built by Thomas Lister (1772-1828), the vault adds a fascinating chapter to the church’s rich neo-Norman history.
Thomas William White
In October 1962, Thomas William White celebrated his 90th birthday, honouring his service to Handsacre Methodist Church and the community. Born in Rugeley, White worked various jobs before becoming a blacksmith. A dedicated Methodist preacher since 1894, he also served as Parish Council Chairman and Lichfield District Councillor. Married to Alice Elizabeth Hughes in 1898, he continued his community service until his death in 1965 at age 92. In 1966, a silver birch cross was dedicated to his memory at Handsacre Methodist Temple
Problems for a Rector
The English Reformation reshaped religion in England, balancing Catholicism and Protestantism. Nathaniel Mansfield, Armitage’s Rector during the Puritan era, was ejected under the 1662 Act of Uniformity for refusing to conform to the Church of England, reflecting the turbulent national struggle over faith and governance.
Thomas Bond Part 1 – maltster, brickmaker, potter and gaolbird
Thomas Bond, a maltster, brickmaker, and potter, is credited with founding Armitage’s first pottery. Before this, he ran brickworks and malting operations. Despite early ventures in pottery and partnerships, financial troubles led to bankruptcy. In 1815, his failed pottery venture resulted in imprisonment for debt.
The first issue of the Parish Magazine
The very first edition of Armitage parish magazine came out in January 1892,priced one penny. The rendition of the church on the front cover, shown below, is stated as being a woodcut owned by Miss Birch, of Armitage Lodge, and is from a photograph taken by Mr. H. Cecil Gardner, of The Towers. The parish… Continue reading The first issue of the Parish Magazine
The oldest item in the village
In the Anglo-Saxon, Norman and Medieval eras the main way of portraying Christian beliefs and stories was through imagery; most people couldn’t read and church services were held in Latin anyway. Ideas and beliefs were conveyed in wall paintings, stained glass, statues of wood and stone, carvings on the furniture, and on the walls and… Continue reading The oldest item in the village
Signing the pledge
The Pledge Book above is from Handsacre Primitive Methodists and I would first like to thank Gifford Foote for allowing me access to their historical records and for his encouragement in my research on the village. The temperance movement in the UK was a social movement that campaigned against the recreational use and sale of… Continue reading Signing the pledge
Murder in the Church
Sir Simon died in 1373 leaving a widow and three young daughters – as you can imagine, with so much land, money and power up for grabs, the vultures gathered.