The church where Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien worshipped as a child has been placed on a list of historic buildings at risk.

The Heritage at Risk Register, which is compiled and updated annually by campaign group Historic England, has added the Birmingham Oratory church in Edgbaston to the list.

The register identifies those sites that are most at risk of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.

Birmingham Oratory is one of 42 in the West Midlands to join the 2016 version, which is being published today, while a further 51 have been removed this year.

The Birmingham Oratory was founded by John Henry Newman in 1848 in Maryvale and moved to Edgbaston in 1852.

After Newman’s death in 1890, the decision was taken to replace the first Oratory church with a larger building as a memorial to him and it eventually opened in 1909.

Birmingham Oratory in Edgbaston
Birmingham Oratory in Edgbaston

Also joining the 2016 register is Manor House, in Hamstall Ridware, Lichfield, which is a timber-framed house first built in the 15th century.

Historic England said the house was still in use but a tower, which was added later, was in a derelict and poor condition.

Birmingham’s famous Moseley Road Baths, in Balsall Heath, remains on the register but Historic England continues to work with local conservationists and campaigners to preserve the building which opened in 1907.

It is considered to be one of the most complete examples of an Edwardian bath house in England and has features such as first and second class pools, changing booths and slipper baths for individual bathing.

Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register 2016 has a total of 433 sites in the West Midlands, 88 of which are Grade I and II* buildings and eight are registered parks and gardens.

Rhodri Evans, Heritage at Risk principal for Historic England in the West Midlands, said: “Across the region, many historic sites are at risk of being lost but the good news is that we have removed 51 sites.

“Historic England continues to invest grant aid and to dedicate time and expertise working with owners, developers and communities to find solutions to rescue precious sites so people can continue to enjoy them and the stories they tell about our past.”

Moseley Road Baths remains at risk
Moseley Road Baths remains at risk

The sites added to the 2016 list are:

Birmingham

- Church of the Immaculate Conception (the Oratory), Edgbaston

- Church of St Alban the Martyr, Conybere Street, Highgate

- Parish Church of St Aidan, Herbert Road, Small Heath

Herefordshire

- Church of St Mary, Craswall

- Church of St James, Cradley, Cradley

- Church of St Giles, Goodrich, Goodrich

- Church of St James, Kinnersley

- Church of St Michael, Croft Park, Croft and Yarpole

- Church of St Mary, Kings Pyon, King’s Pyon

- Church of St James, Ocle Pychard

- Church of the Holy Trinity, Preston Wynne

Shropshire

- Church of St Mary the Virgin, Church Street, Shawbury

- Church of St Giles, Farlow

- Church of St Mary, Highley

- Church of St Mary, Stottesdon

- Church of St George, Church Street, Clun

- Church of St Margaret, Acton Scott

- Church of St Mary, Cleeton St Mary, Bitterley

- Church of St Peter, Coreley

- Parish Church, Wheathill

- Ditherington Flax Mill: Cross Building, Shrewsbury

- Ditherington Flax Mill: Flax Warehouse, Shrewsbury

- Church of St Nicholas, Bridgnorth

- Standing cross in the churchyard of St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Alberbury with Cardeston

- Site of pumping engine at Muxton Bridge colliery, Lilleshall and Donnington

Staffordshire

- Church of St John the Baptist, Edingale

- Manor House, Hamstall Ridware

- Multivallate hillfort at Bury Bank, Stone Rural

Warwickshire

- Church of St Peter, Tysoe Road, Radway

- Roman Catholic Church of St Peter Paul and Elizabeth, Coughton

- Church of St Michael, Church Hill, Warmington

- Church of St Mary, Sheepy Road, Atherstone

Worcestershire

- St John, Mamble

- Chapel and Cloister at the Convent of the Holy Name, Ranelagh Road, Malvern

- Church of St Michael, Hanbury Road, Stoke

- Westwood House, Westwood

- St James, Norton, Norton Juxta Kempsey

- The Almonry, Merstow Green, Evesham

- Church of St Mary, Church End, Hanley Castle

- Church of St Helen, Fish Street, Worcester

- Edgar Tower entrance to the Cathedral Close

- Park Wood Camp, Ipsley

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