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Church History
Knowle Parish Church was 600 years old in 2003 - quite old compared with many churches, though some churches are more than a thousand years old. The Christian church in Britain is about 1400 years old, though of course the Christian faith itself dates from the time of Christ, notionally born at the BC/AD boundary.
  Beginnings
The hamlet of Cnolle was within the manor and parish of Hampton-in-Arden. The church at Hampton was a three-mile walk away, not too easy for the parishioners in Knowle to reach when the un-bridged River Blythe was in flood.
A chapel-of-ease of unknown location did exist in Knowle from as early as 1222 for the benefit of Sir William de Arden. Clearly something better was needed but it did not come for 180 years.
Knowle got its own church through the initiative and funding of a wealthy benefactor - but remained a daughter church of Hampton for over 400 years until 1858 when it finally became a parish in its own right.
Walter Cook
The greatest benefactor to Knowle was 'local man made good' Walter Cook. This wealthy man with key connections especially in London and Rome, obtained a faculty in 1396 from Pope Boniface IX to build a chapel in honour of three Saints, John the Baptist, Laurence the Martyr and Anne. The chapel was built on land belonging to Walter's parents. Surprisingly there was some opposition to this new construction and in 1398 an Indulgence was offered to attract people to attend the new church.
Disputed dates
Construction commenced on a building that is smaller in area and height than today's church. There was a smaller bell-cote instead of today's splendid tower, no south aisle and a shorter chancel. Consecration of the church was on the 24th February 1403 by a Scottish bishop, though the certificate says 1402 (actually it says "Anno domini one thousand CCCC and two"). This date change arises because of the change in the calendar, so today we are working on the 1403 date for our celebrations.
Chantries and the `Gild'
A Licence had been issued in the year of consecration for a Chantry, where one or two priests would say Masses for the souls of the departed. In 1404 the Advowson was transferred to Westminster Abbey and in 1412 the Gild of St. Anne was founded. The College of priests was founded in 1416, thus until the Dissolution of the Monasteries and a visit by the Royal Commissioners in 1535, Knowle Church was actually a chantry church. At this time of course, Knowle church like all others, was under the Church of Rome and after the Reformation became the English Church. The Gild and College were dissolved in 1547 and the church itself was at risk because it was collegiate.
Saved by the river
The church was saved from the destruction common to many at the time of the Dissolution of Monasteries because the villagers of Knowle pleaded that crossing the River Blythe to the parish church at Hampton was often impossible and that they needed their church in Knowle. Today we are grateful that we can enjoy a truly lovely church and the worship of God there is just as important to many hundreds of people in Knowle today.
Growth
Many developments (including some removals, for example the door and porch in the south aisle) have continued as the village grew. Vestries, an organ loft, the south aisle and a chancel extension extended the area, while the tower and a clerestory increased the height.
The adjacent timbered Guild House was given to the Church in 1912 by the local landowner Mr. Jackson of Springfield Hall (now Springfield House).
In 1980 the new verger's house was built and received a civic award. This was later converted to a parish office and called St. Lawrence house (note the spelling change over the years). Most recently a large new hall was built and dedicated in 1995 called St. John's Hall; this has been a major contribution to the life of the Church, often being used for overflow services at the main festivals, for a monthly family communion service and for special youth services.
More information
A popular history of the village and Church, 'The History of Knowle' by Eva Wootton was published in 1972 and later reprinted. The most complete history and description may be found in the privately published (1966) book by Anthony A. Upton - 'The Collegiate Church of St. John Baptist, Laurence and Anne of Knowle, Warwickshire'. Both books were used in preparing this history and may be found in the local collections of the Knowle and Solihull libraries http://www.solihull.gov.uk/wwwlib/south/knowle.html.
"On the 9th July 2003, Anthony Upton published a new book 'Remember Walter Cook - the founder of Knowle Parish Church Warwickshire' Published on the 580th anniversary of Walter Cook's death, this volume charts the life and times of a locally born man of the church with remarkably extensive contacts and considerable wealth. These were used to enable him to found the church in Knowle and give it a special place in the community that has arguably continued to this day. Copies of this scholarly and facinating book are available from the Parish Office at £12.99"
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