Description:
Birmingham medal, c.1851
Diameter 42mm
The obverse features a view of St John's Church in Kenilworth, with the inscription 'WEST VIEW OF ST JOHN'S CHURCH, KENILWORTH'. Underneath is the name 'Dowler', probably referring to George Dowler, a brass manufacturer from Birmingham.
The reverse bears the inscription 'THE FIRST STONE/ OF THIS CHURCH/ WAS LAID BY/ THE Rt HONble BARON LEIGH/ ON AUG 19TH 1851' followed by the legend 'THEY THAT WORSHIP HIM/ MUST WORSHIP IN/ SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH/ John ChapT 4. Verse 24'. A hole has been pierced in the top for suspension although this is not part of the original design.
The Birmingham Gazette of 25 August 1851 ran a feature on the laying of the cornerstone. It stated that medals of the new church were made by Messrs Dowler and given to every schoolchild.