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For most of its ecclesiastical history Wilmcote was part of the parish of Aston Cantlow. In 1863 it became a separate parish. Wilmcote had a chapel in the 13th century but the present parish church is a modern one. It was built in 1841 but is of great interest and is worthy of a visit for it has had an important part to play in Anglican history. The reason for its building was semi-industrialisation of the area when the Wllmcote cement works were founded in the 1830s This was the time of the Catholic revival in the Church of England (Keble, Pusey, Newman), usually called ‘The Oxford Movement’ and sometimes the ‘Tractarian Movement’. This went hand in hand on the architectural side with the Gothic Revival. Wilmcote church was designed by Butterfield, nationally known as a leader in this revival, and was known far and wide as a pure specimen of the Catholic and Gothic revival. The church is said to be the first Anglican church in England where the use of mass vestments was re-introduced. Also, one of the earliest retreats for priests was organised here in 1847. The Catholic nature of worship introduced in 1841 has continued without interruption till the present day and to enter the church, by no means a large one, must be very much what entering any small village church in mediaeval times must have been like.
A curious feature of the interior are the sheets, apparently of tin or other metal and painted with religious symbols, which cover most of the walls. The schools and vicarage adjoining also date from 1841 and, like the church, were the result of the enthusiasm of the Revd.Francis Fortescue-Knottesford and his son.
© Alcester & District Local History Society 1985