The film provides a valuable memento of the Parish Church of St Michael and
All Angels, Langley, documenting the proceedings of the very dignified Final
Service and Closure on 1st July 2007, including a tribute Organ Recital
(possibly the last time this fine instrument will be heard in public) given
by Nicholas Fanthom and a special bonus feature Photo Gallery of the church
and it's artefacts, from the camera of local historian Dr Terry Daniels.
Revd. Canon John Barnett
Priest in Charge
St Michael and All Angels Church, Langley Parish Church, is in Causeway Green Road, Oldbury B68 8LD: map/directions
The church was built in 1845 and, despite its rather forbidding exterior, is beautiful inside and has been a favourite building for weddings for many years. It has good windows including some war memorial windows. It also has a good organ and, in Nick Fanthom, a good organist.
Unfortunately it has been beyond the congregation for some years to maintain the church and together with the hall at the back it is now in a poor state, and there are proposals for both buildings to be declared redundant. If that is approved the congregation will move to the Methodist Church in Edward Street (just down Langley Green Road, which is the road opposite the Old Cross pub to the left of St Michael’s).
Revd Phyllis Eaton, Assistant Priest, and Revd. Annette Hanny, Curate
The future of the buildings would then need to be decided; those from other Christian fellowships or community activities who have suggestions to make should contact the Archdeacon of Birmingham, 175 Harborne Park Road, BIRMINGHAM B17 0BH
Services are currently at 9-45 am: Family Service on the third Sundays, Matins and prayers for healing on the fifth, and Sung Eucharist with Sunday School on the others.
Baptisms are by arrangement on the third Sunday at the Family Service or at a special service at 3-00 p.m.
Funerals are by arrangement, but bookings for weddings, unless intended to be very soon, are not being taken. Those who live in the parish will be invited to make alternative arrangements with one of our neighbours.
Timings for services would probably continue the same at Edward Street, but the Family Service would be on the second Sunday at St John’s with no morning service at Edward Street. Although worship is currently traditional this is a congregation that has committed itself to a major change to ensure that it has an exciting future; a congregation that should attract the adventurous!
This is the base from which chaplaincies are exercised to Oldbury Royal British Legion and to Oldbury ASDA.