Charity Of Dorothy Parkes Known As Smethwick Chapelry
Charity 221621
Overview
Summary
The available evidence suggests that Charity Of Dorothy Parkes Known As Smethwick Chapelry is a small, place-rooted religious endowment whose contemporary role is principally to sustain Smethwick Old Church and its vicarage. Its historic objects preserve a model of parish-based relief linked to church attendance, seasonal giving and the former geography of Smethwick and Harborne. This creates a notable connection between inherited charitable purposes and the practical maintenance of local Anglican infrastructure, although the charity’s current direct-beneficiary activity is unclear.
Operational geography
No operational geography is currently available for this organisation.
Areas of work
- Religious Activities
Who they help
- Other Defined Groups
How they help
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
- Provides Other Finance
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A historic relief endowment now appears focused on church continuity
The charity may operate less as a direct poverty-relief provider and more as a steward of resources that help sustain Smethwick Old Church and its vicarage.
Why it matters
This distinguishes it from frontline charities: its civic contribution may be indirect, preserving a local institution and the space, relationships and pastoral capacity associated with it.
Show evidence
“To assist financially in the support of Smethwick Old Church and Vicarage.”
Source:Charity Commission“Religious Activities.”
Source:Charity Commission
Its charitable identity is anchored in former parish geography
The objects suggest that the charity was designed around a shared parish spanning Smethwick and another part of Harborne, rather than around today’s administrative or service boundaries.
Why it matters
Historic boundaries can shape who is regarded as eligible and may explain why the charity’s relevance, beneficiaries or relationships do not map neatly onto contemporary local organisations.
Show evidence
“12 poor inhabitants of Smethwick.”
Source:Charity Commission“12 poor inhabitants of the other part of the parish of Harborne.”
Source:Charity Commission“3 to be of the hamlet of Smethwick and 3 to the other part of the parish.”
Source:Charity Commission
The original model linked material support to religious participation
The historic objects may indicate an older welfare model in which bread, clothing and books were distributed through parish life, with at least some relief conditional on attending worship.
Why it matters
This helps identify a potential tension between enduring historic purposes and contemporary expectations of inclusive, needs-led support; it is important to establish whether these conditions still inform practice.
Show evidence
“Bread to be distributed every Sunday among 12 poor inhabitants of Smethwick who have attended divine service both morning and evening.”
Source:Charity Commission“Clothes to be distributed annually, on St. Thomas's Day, among 6 poor women of the parish of Harborne.”
Source:Charity Commission“Bibles to be distributed on St. Thomas's Day among the poor of Smethwick.”
Source:Charity Commission
- Whether the historic relief distributions continue, have been replaced, or are dormant.
- How the charity is governed and how closely it is connected to Smethwick Old Church.
- Whether it supports any beneficiaries beyond church and vicarage costs.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent annual reports and accounts showing income, expenditure, grants and beneficiaries.
- Information from the charity or church on current activities, governance and use of the church or vicarage.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
To assist financially in the support of Smethwick Old Church and Vicarage.
Charity objects
52S. A YEAR FOR BREAD TO BE DISTRIBUTED EVERY SUNDAY AMONG 12 POOR INHABITANTS OF SMETHWICK WHO HAVE ATTENDED DIVINE SERVICE BOTH MORNING AND EVENING. 52S. A YEAR TO BE USED IN THE SAME MANNER AMONG 12 POOR INHABITANTS OF THE OTHER PART OF THE PARISH OF HARBORNE. √∫4. 10S. FOR CLOTHES TO BE DISTRIBUTED ANNUALLY, ON ST. THOMAS'S DAY, AMONG 6 POOR WOMEN OF THE PARISH OF HARBORNE - 3 TO BE OF THE HAMLET OF SMETHWICK AND 3 TO THE OTHER PART OF THE PARISH. 6S. FOR BIBLES TO BE DISTRIBUTED ON ST. THOMAS'S DAY AMONG THE POOR OF SMETHWICK.