Home

Minister's page

Church History

Worship Messy Church

Regular Activities

Hire a Room

Our Circuit

Find us Contact us

Events  Links

Local Lore has it that Catshill was named after St Chad, Bishop of York and Mercia in 669 AD, but there is no evidence in legal or parochial records that supporst this theory.

The earliest traceable reference to the village in the Assize Rolls of Worcestershire is in 1221, where it is written "Catteshule", while in the court rolls of the manor of Hales (Halesowen) in 1472 it has become "Catshill Elde". Strange as it may seem, it may be that the simple meaning of Catshill is the Hill or House of the Cat.

There is very little industry in the village. Weaving and button making were earlier probabilities, but for two centuries it's staple industry was nail making. This died out in the 1930's.

It is suggested (in a booklet called "Our Chapel" written by Rev Arthur Wilkes in 1931) that about 100 years earlier, in 1831, the first Primitive Methodists met in a rented room in Barley Mow Lane in Catshill. These early pioneers, men and women of faith and vision, undaunted by opposition and often physical violence, were the founders of the church in Catshill.

From Barley Mow Lane the enthusiasts moved to Golden Cross Lane in 1851 when the first meeting house was opened in Vine Cottage, which still stands today just a few yards from the current building. It cost £95 7s 0d to acquire!

The first purpose built chapel, erected in 1866, stood at the front of the current car park and cost £198 to build.

Soon however, there was a need for a schoolroom which was built adjacent to the old building in 1910 and cost £884.

By the 1960's, even these 2 combined buildings had become insufficient, so plans were drawn up for the building that stands today, which was opened in October 1968.

A temporary youth hall was also built shortly after, and this temporary building lasted for over 20 years before being demolished and a brand new youth hall and four first floor meeting rooms were added in a project that cost more than the four churches put together!  The new youth hall was opened in December 1991.

Back to Home.