The First Hundred Years

The Parish of St Margaret, Olton was formed in 1880 to cater for “a large and increasing population in this outlying district of the Parish of Bickenhill, being more than five miles distant from the Parish Church of St Peter” as Olton was expanding rapidly following the arrival of the railway and the opening of the station in 1864. At that time Olton lay at the north easterly extremity of the Worcestershire diocese.

The land for the Church was gifted by J Kent Esq. and William Williams Esq.

The Church was consecrated in 1880. The architect was Benjamin Corser. The first vicar, the reverend Dr Arthur Butler who was vicar for 42 years, was the power behind the building of the church, school and vicarage.

The organ was installed in 1881. In January 1885 the school building was opened with Mr John T Clementson as the Master.

Following boundary changes the parish was transferred into the Birmingham Diocese in 1900.

In 1955 St Margaret’s celebrated their 75th anniversary, and an envelope scheme was introduced to enable a more efficient means of controlling income.

In 1968 the new school building was dedicated by the Bishop of Aston.

October 1972 saw the dedication of the Church hall, named after the 5th incumbent Reverend Eric Spencer.

Our Church today

In the last 35 years we have built on the firm foundations of the previous hundred years.

The grounds gardens have been developed, and special monies were raised by members of the congregation to install flood-lighting to mark the Millennium. Donors’ personal comments were recorded in a bound book which has been lodged within the church archives whilst a plaque was sited in the Church. During 2013/14 the Spencer Hall was refurbished.