There’s a new rugged cross in the parish church, an emblem of the 15-years-long ministry of the Rev Nick Parker in Coleshill.

Nick is now the first full-time Area Dean of the new deanery of Yardley and Solihull, and returned to his old parish for a farewell service and to present the cross to the church for it to be processed by children at the beginning and end of services together with the acolytes (candle bearers).

Among the items that Coleshill Church gave to Nick was a watercolour of the church in its High Street setting painted by local artist Peter Scott. Maxstoke Church also presented Nick with a picture by Peter.

The cross was made by Cumbrian craftsman Allan Patterson who carves scripture onto English native hardwoods. It bears the legend “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”

A celebratory cake, so often a feature at church events, was decorated with an image of the church.

The new cross joins lots of other crosses in various forms in the church. They include an altar frontal hand-made by members of local churches, choir stall carvings by James Forsyth at the reordering in 1859, and a more recent one on the Sumner screen guarded by angels.

• 

• 

• 

• 

The church is open for coffee and chat 11am-12.30pm on Wednesday mornings, so treat yourself to elevenses and a fascinating look round. A £5 full colour guide book is available.