Handsworth has been occupied since Anglo Saxon times. It’s original name would
probably have been ‘Hondesworde’ or ‘Hunesworth’ after a local chieften. The
parish of Handsworth used to be part of Staffordshire. In 1911 it became part of
Birmingham.
At the heart of old Handsworth stands St Mary’s Church, one of the most important historic buildings in Birmingham. Parts of the church date back to the thirteenth century, and it is famous as the burial place of James Watt, the pioneer of the steam engine, and Matthew Boulton, his business partner. Their graves make Handsworth one of the most important places in the world for the history of the Industrial Revolution, as the work of Boulton and Watt helped power the factories, mines and mills that transformed Britain.
The founder of the American Methodist Church, Bishop Francis Ashbury, lived in Handsworth until 1771 when he left for the New World and founded his Envangelistic churches in the USA.
Handsworth Old Town Hall in Slack Lane is one of the best early examples of the rare ‘crucks’ method of timber frame construction to be found in the UK. It was erected around 1460. Matthew Boulton lived in Handsworth and his famous Soho Manufactory was based here.
Handsworth is well known for its riots and history of violence in the mid 1980’s. The riots were caused by heavy handed policing and drug related problems in this inner city suburb. It is arguable that they really arose from poor social conditions, racial
discrimination, poverty, unemployment, and dilapidated housing. Since then much
has been done to improve the local amenities and housing conditions. Handsworth
is now reputed to be one of the safest areas in Birmingham.
Handsworth is just 2 miles from the centre of Birmingham. Handsworth still has many high rise blocks that date from the 1960’s but many of these are now disapearing in favour of more habitable and secure housing. There are still many pre-1919 properties that are a mixture of home owners and privately rented accommodation. Over half the
residents of Handsworth comprise Black, Asian and other ethnic minorities.
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