The church dates back to the 13th century whilst the heating system can be dated to around the year of 1887 Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The heating system appears to be entirely of cast iron and is a fine example of Victorian engineering.

Three different early patterns of cast iron radiators (making a total of 3 pairs) can be seen in the church. These radiators are all fed by cast iron socket and spigott pipework using caulked and leaded joints.

	8 row cast iron single bank horizontal pipe coil radiator with square boxed ends and bottom external socket flow and return connections.
5 row double bank horizontal pipe coil radiator with square boxed ends and external socket flow and return connections.
	Circular vertical tube pattern pipe coil radiator with top and bottom header boxes. The flow and return pipe connections are both sited in the underside base of the radiator.

All the cast iron heating pipework is routed at floor level alongside the edge of the pews on both sides of the aisle.

It is unknown to find heating equipment marked with any form of celebratory inscription. Therefore to find this radiator inscribed to mark the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria is both extraordinary and wonderful. The proximity of Elmley Castle to Stourbridge could indicate that the well known firm of Jones & Attwood of Stourbridge may well have been the manufacturer of this heating equipment.

Footnote.

It was with deep regret that when the author revisited the Church in 2004 it was found that this possible unique example of Victorian craftmanship of a heating system installed in Queen Victoria's golden jubilee year of 1887, had been dismantled, removed and destroyed. It is profoundly depressing to realise that in a Grade I listed building a Heating firm was quite prepared to remove and destroy an irreplaceable example of our engineering heritage.

CIBSE HERITAGE GROUP
SEPTEMBER 2002