James Rowley

The contractor for the rebuilding work work of 1879 at Little Packington was James Rowley, who appears in Slater's Directory of Staffordshire (approx 1850) as a builder in High Street Walsall, and this information is repeated in 1861. In 1851 directories, he is listed as carrying on business in Digbeth, Birmingham, with his home in Lower Hall Lane, Walsall. Kelly's Directory for 1870 lists him as Builder and Brick & tile drainpipe manufacturer, and agent to the Lancashire Fire & Life Insurance Co, with his residence at 16 Birmingham Road, Walsall. The business and residential addresses are listed through to 1885, but only the residential address for 1886. He was possibly the son of Thomas Rowley, listed as a Factor in Stanford Street Walsall in a directory of 1813.

In 1884, an Arthur Rowley is listed as a Builder and Contractor of High Street, and at the same address in the residential directory. In 1892 he is listed as residing at 42 Emery Street, and in 1896 and 1900 at 32 Emery Street.

Floor tiles from the sanctuary

In 1870, James Rowley junior & Alfred Lynex, Builders are listed at Ablewell Street. The same entry occurs in 1880, together with a residential address of Emery Street for James Rowley junior. In 1883 James Rowley junior, Architect & Surveyor is listed at 31 Upper Rushall Street Walsall, and again in 1883 and 1884. In 1885, he is listed at 5 Mountrath Street, and in 1886 as a builder at 12 Hope Street, and again in 1892. In 1895 he is listed as Builder & Surveyor at 11 Tasker Street. From 1896 to 1904 he is listed in the Walsall Red Book as residing at the Tasker Street address, now as plain James Rowley. In Kelly's and other directories between 1904 and 1908 he is recorded as a builder at 6 Glebe Street, but in Kelly's 1908 Commercial Directory, he is shown at the Commercial Inn, 18 Station Street. In 1912 a J. Rowley is listed in the residential section of the Walsall Blue Book at 369 Bloxwich Road, with no record in the commercial section.

In directories of 1850 (approx) and 1851,  Moses Salt is listed as a builder in Ablewell Street.

In Kelly's Directory for 1904, the Royal Liverpool Friendly Society is listed at 35 High Street, and this may give a clue to the address of James Rowley senior's premises. In 1910 W Kendrick & Sons, Builders are listed in the Walsall Trades Directory at 55 Isaac Street and Tasker Street. Also in 1910, W. Wistance, Builders are listed in Sandwell Street and High Street, with brickworks at [in the?] Paddock.

With acknowledgements to The Walsall Local History Centre.

Floor patterns

Plan of the sanctuary floor, with vandal damage.
Plan of the porch floor, with vandal damage. This floor will be reconstructed.

Plan of the chancel floor