Banners Gate United Reformed Church has been saved after members voted for a merger with Streetly Community Baptist Church. The URC building in Westwood Road will now offer a permanent home for the Baptists, who have been holding their meetings at Streetly School. The Baptists, who had an equal vote on the merging proposals, will add new life to the ageing congregation at Banners Gate, who have now been able to reverse their decision to close their church. Although it may take some time for the formal establishment of the Partnership, joint worship, mission and other activities have already begun and the first joint service was held on Easter Sunday 2008.

Streetly Community Baptist Church
for details contact Mark Jennings,
PO Box 8679,
Sutton Coldfield, B74 3ZB.
Tel. 0121 353 5991. email. mark@streetlybaptist.org.uk
www.streetly baptist.org

Streetly Methodist Church
More info here
Thornhill Road , Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, B74 3EH.
Tel.0121 353 2728
www.streetly methodist church
Streetly Methodist Church are jubilant in sharing their Centenary Celebrations with all of their community and neighbours. See Whats On and Events.

Blackwood Methodist Church
Blackwood road, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, B74 3PL.
Tel: 0121 353 2728 Disabled access and parking
www.blackwoodmethodistchurch.org.uk

St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church
26 Bridle Lane, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, B74 2HB.
Tel: 0121 353 3778. email frgwil@st-anne-streetly.fsnet.co.uk.
Disabled access and parking.

All Saints Parish Church
Foley Road East, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B74 3JL.
Tel: 0121 353 3582. Disabled access and parking.
All Saints'

Streetly Evangelical Church
Egerton Road, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield. B74 3PG.
Tel: 0121 353 2703 Contact the Secretary: Chris Miles

" June 2009....IT BEGAN as a pipe dream and became a legacy. Half a century ago, five young men finished building a church from scratch. Now the only surviving member of the group has paid tribute to his friends and celebrated the milestone anniversary of the Streetly Evangelical Church. Despite starting with no materials, no site and no money, John Warden, Don Ridgway, Stan Maybury, Stan Purshouse and John Adams dedicated their evenings and weekends to building the church. Only plasterer Mr Adams had any knowledge of building when the task began. The accountant, timber merchant, teacher and bank manager learned from blisters, knocks and backache. Fifty years on, former accountant Mr Warden said it was all worthwhile. The 78-year-old said: “They would all be so proud of what we achieved and that we are celebrating 50 years.” The idea of a new church was discussed in 1956. Despite a lack of resources they had five pairs of willing hands and faith. The first step was taken when one of the men heard a farm building was due for demolition. Mr Warden said: “One by one, each of us heard other Christians were interested in building a church so we held house meetings. “We approached a farmer who gave us an old barn on condition we knocked it all down. We had no money or materials and we were young with jobs and families to support but God provided.” Working in winter evenings by floodlight, the men cleaned the mortar off 10,000 bricks by hand. Beams were dismantled and transported from the site for storage in one of their gardens. Cash raised from the surplus material was supplemented by donations from the families. But it was an anonymous gift of £500 which led to the go-ahead by planners. After waiting six months for official approval, the real job got underway with the laying of 30 tonnes of concrete. The whole project cost a total of £1,350. A procession by the children marked the opening in 1959. Since then the church has been extended and now more than 80 people attend services held every Sunday morning and evening and several groups and meetings are held in the hall. "

For information on all other churches and organisations in Walsall MBC
log on to www.walsall.gov.uk/organisations.