About Us

South Aston United Reformed Church opened its doors for the first time in

October 1973. Under its roof gathered the congregations of Park Road, Aston and Wheeler Street, Lozells, joining together for the first time as one membership. Prior to this they had used their own separate places of worship but sharing the same minister. The first joint pastor, the Reverend Harold Stentiford, began ministering to the two congregations in 1960. He was ably supported by his wife Joyce.

You can read about the histories of Park Road and Wheeler Street elsewhere on this website.

The main reason for the building of the Church in Upper Sutton Street Aston was the fact that the Park Road buildings had become subject to a compulsory purchase order as part of the scheme to construct the ‘Aston Expressway’. The money from this sale, the sale of the Wheeler Street buildings to a Sikh community and some heroic fund raising provided funds for work to be commenced in 1972. Birmingham City Council was most supportive and provided the site in Upper Sutton Street as part of the regeneration of South Aston. Currently discussions are taking place between the Council and the residents of South Aston about a new, even more ambitious, regeneration scheme (click here).

When South Aston URC was being planned, one of the key objectives established was to ensure that the buildings would not only be suitable for worship but also to be able to serve the community in as many practical ways as possible. We are proud to be able to point at many ways that our facilities have been and are continuing to be used for the wider community. We have clubs for older people and clubs for children and youths. Both the small hall and the large hall have been used for celebrations, whether they are wedding receptions, baptismal celebrations, or birthday parties; as well as being used by the youngsters’ clubs for their weekly activities.

*We are also pleased to share the premises with the Everlasting Hope Church (EHC). This is a Christian church formed by mainly Congolese émigrés and meets at the Church every Sunday afternoon. Services are conducted in Lingala, French and English.

Some of our regular activities are listed below: -

Day                                   Group                                 Time

Sunday - South Aston United reformed Church Worship.    11.00  to 12.00

           -  EHC*                                                                2.00  to 5.00

Monday -  Outabout Club    (Contact Dave Kendrick)          

Tuesday -  MIND   group.                                              10.00  to  2.00

             -  After Eights Club for children aged 8 to 11.        5.00  to 6.30

Wednesday – Lunch Club for men and women aged 50+    11.30 to 2.00

Thursday - Singing Group                                                  7.30 to 9.00

Friday - Shopping Trip   (Contact Dave Kendrick)

For a full list of groups using South Aston Church Centre click here