The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St James Hill Sutton Coldfield
Charity 1134793
Overview
Summary
The available evidence suggests that St James operates as more than a worship venue: it appears to be a parish-based civic and pastoral platform combining religious practice, age-spanning community activity and shared physical infrastructure. Its role seems rooted in the local parish while extending across several life stages and support needs. The organisation may therefore create value both through direct participation and by enabling other activity through its buildings, services and grants.
Operational geography
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Sutton Mere Green
Confidence: low
Direct evidence identifies St James Church and its Church Centre in Mere Green. The organisation's current official website describes regular worship, groups and community venue hire at this base. However, the supplied evidence does not directly state that this activity is within Sutton Mere Green ward.
- St James Church, Mere Green official website — Contact page
Gives the Church Office location as St James Church, Mere Green, and identifies both St James Church and St James Church Centre. - St James Church, Mere Green official website — Venue page
States that the Church Centre has halls, a kitchen and meeting space available to local clubs, organisations, societies and private bookings. - Charity Commission register, charity 1134793 — contact information
Lists St James Church Centre in Sutton Coldfield as the charity's address.
Sutton Roughley
Confidence: low
The organisation's official website states that its Messy Church is now held at Four Oaks Baptist Church in Sutton Coldfield. This is evidence of a current activity delivered from a partner venue, but the supplied evidence does not directly state that the venue is within Sutton Roughley ward, and the website does not state its frequency or provide a dated programme confirming continuing delivery.
- St James Church, Mere Green official website — Church page
States that Messy Church is now held at Four Oaks Baptist Church in Sutton Coldfield. - Birmingham City Council — Bike2Life CCC directory entry
Identifies Four Oaks Baptist Church in Four Oaks, Birmingham.
Remaining uncertainties
- The evidence strongly supports a principal base at St James Church and a secondary delivery venue at Four Oaks Baptist Church, but does not establish whether these venues are within the named wards or the full current frequency, scale or duration of activity at Four Oaks Baptist Church.
- The official website says clergy visit five schools in the parish and that children visit the church, but it does not provide a current programme or sufficient evidence to identify further wards for this activity.
- Historic material links St James personnel to Hope for Sutton activity across and around Sutton Coldfield, but it does not demonstrate that this charity currently delivers those services itself or operates across the wider city.
- There is no current annual report or service-location schedule available in the evidence reviewed that would confirm whether the parish's operational footprint extends beyond the two areas listed.
Additional evidence needed
- A current annual report, APCM report or programme timetable showing all regular services, groups and outreach locations.
- Current confirmation from Four Oaks Baptist Church or St James of Messy Church dates, frequency and continued use of the venue.
- A current parish map and school-engagement schedule identifying where St James clergy and activities are delivered beyond the main church site.
Areas of work
- Religious Activities
Who they help
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Makes Grants To Organisations
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A parish church with a broad community-facing role
The evidence suggests that the organisation uses its religious mission as a basis for practical engagement with several groups, including older people, parents, toddlers, young people and special-needs groups.
Why it matters
This indicates that its contribution to local life may extend beyond regular worship. It may be an important point of contact across generations and for people whose needs are often addressed by separate organisations.
Show evidence
“Activities include public worship, pastoral work and teaching Christianity to all ages.”
Source:Charity Commission“It provides activities for senior citizens, parents, toddlers, young people and special needs groups.”
Source:Charity Commission
Infrastructure appears central to its operating model
The organisation appears to combine programme activity with stewardship of local church-related assets, including a church centre and a curate's house.
Why it matters
This may make the organisation a local enabler, not only a service provider. Its buildings could support relationships, meeting space or activity that is not visible in the current evidence.
Show evidence
“It supports an adjoining church centre and curate's house.”
Source:Charity Commission“The charity provides buildings, facilities or open space.”
Source:Charity Commission
It may support local activity indirectly as well as directly
The stated ability to make grants suggests a potential role in resourcing other organisations, alongside delivering its own activities and facilities.
Why it matters
This creates a possible but unconfirmed connection to the wider local voluntary sector. Understanding grant recipients could reveal partnerships or overlooked pathways through which the parish contributes to place.
Show evidence
“The charity makes grants to organisations.”
Source:Charity Commission“The charity provides services.”
Source:Charity Commission
- Whether the church centre is used by external community groups, and on what terms.
- Which organisations receive grants and whether these reveal sustained local partnerships.
- Whether the named activities are regular services, occasional events or volunteer-led groups.
Remaining uncertainties
- Information on building users, room hire, partnerships and community groups based at the church centre.
- Annual reports or accounts showing grant recipients, programme reach, volunteer involvement and changes over time.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
St James Church is based in Mere Green Road Sutton Coldfield in the Diocese of Birmingham. It's activities include public worship, pastoral work, teaching Christianity to all ages. It promotes the whole mission of the church through the provision of activities for senior citizens, parents , toddlers, young people and special needs groups. It supports an adjoining church centre and curate's house
Charity objects
Promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church.