St. James’s, Ashted.—­Originally the residence of Dr. Ash, this building was remodelled and opened as a place of worship, Oct. 9, 1791.  As Ashted Chapel it was sold by auction, May 3, 1796.  Afterwards, being dedicated to St. James, it was consecrated, the ceremony taking place Aug. 7, 1807.  The living (value L300) is in the gift of trustees, the present vicar being the Rev. H.C.  Phelps, M.A.  Of the 1,350 sittings, 450 are free, there being also a mission room in Vauxhall Road.

St. James’s, Aston.—­The mission room, in Tower Road, in connection with Aston Church, is known as St. James’s Church Room, it being intended to erect a church on an adjoining site.

St. James’s, Edgbaston, which cost about L6,000, was consecrated June 1, 1852, and has 900 sittings, one-fourth being free.  Perpetual curacy (value L230) in the gift of Lord Calthorpe.  The 25th anniversary of the incumbency of the Rev. P. Browne, M.A., was celebrated June 7, 1877, by the inauguration of a new organ, subscribed for by the congregation.

St. James’s, Handsworth, was built in 1849, and has 800 sittings, of which one half are free.  The living (value L300) is in the gift of the Rector of Handsworth, and the present vicar is the Rev. H.L.  Randall, B.A.

St. John’s, Deritend.—­The “Chapel of St. John’s,” was commenced in 1375; it was licensed in 1381 by the monks of Tickford Priory, who appointed the Vicars of Aston, in which parish Deritend then was; it was repaired in 1677, and rebuilt in 1735.  The tower was added in 1762, and clock and bells put in in 1776.  This is believed to have been the first church in which the teachings of Wycliffe and the Reformers were allowed, the grant given to the inhabitants leaving in their hands the sole choice of the minister.  This rite was last exercised June 15, 1870, when the present chaplain, the Rev. W.C.  Badger, was elected by 3,800 votes, against 2,299 given for a rival candidate.  There is accommodation for 850, of which 250 seats are free.  It is related that when the present edifice was erected (1735) a part of the small burial ground was taken into the site, and that pew-rents are only charged for the sittings covering the ground so occupied.  The living is valued at L400.  For a most interesting account of this church reference should be made to “Memorials of Old Birmingham” by the late Mr. Toulmin Smith.  Services also take place at the School Room, and at the Mission Room, Darwin Street.

St. John’s, Ladywood, built at a cost of L6,000, the site being given by the Governors of the Free Grammar School, and the stone for building by Lord Calthorpe, was consecrated March 15, 1854.  In 1881, a further sum of L2,350 was expended in the erection of a new chancel and other additions.  The Rector of St. Martin’s is the patron of the living (valued at L330), and the present Vicar is the Rev. J.L.  Porter, M.A.  The sittings number 1,250, of which 550 are free.  Services are also conducted at the Mission Room, Coplow Street, and on Sunday evenings in Osler Street Board School.