Sir Alfred Herbert and St Barbara's Church, Earlsdon
Sir Alfred was considerably involved with helping the inspirational vicar, the Rev Claud Russell , with the building of a new church at Earlsdon, Coventry in 1929-1931. and the Lady Chapel at the church is dedicated to the memory of his second wife, Florence. A later vicar of St Barbara's, Canon Cooke, married his granddaughter June Hollick to Capt Milo Vapenik at Stoneleigh in 1941 and Claude Russell and another local vicar, the Rev AP Wales , remained good family friends for many years. The history of the church can be found on the church's website here . The original consecration of the church was reported in The Coventry Standard of 3rd October 1931 thus: " St Barbara's Earlsdon - Consecration by the Bishop of Coventry - Tribute to Vigorous Leadership - Canon CAH Russell " On Saturday afternoon, with dignified ceremonial, and in the presence of a large and representative congregation, the Bishop of Coventry (Dr Mervyn Haigh) consecrated the first portion of ...