About Us
Our History
In 1919, the workforce at Cadburys was around 7500 and so work began by Bournville Village Trust to develop 75 acres at Row Heath Farm into a sports ground.
At its opening in 1924, Rowheath Pavilion was central to the sports and park complex. Designed by John Ramsay Armstrong, it occupies the highest part of the playing fields. 145 foot long, the Italianate pavilion was designed to serve many purposes.
It provided changing rooms to serve the sports people who made use of the 14 football, 13 cricket, 4 hockey and two rugby pitches, 31 tennis courts, two bowling greens, two croquet lawns, an athletics track, clock golf and a boating and fishing lake.
The Terrace Room has always been central to entertainment at Rowheath, being used for work dinner and balls.
Family entertainment at weekend included musical performances from Cadburys bands, using the two Bandstands.
In 1937 a modernist lido was added to Rowheath which proved extremely popular until the seventies.
The Lido was closed in the seventies, due to the Health and Safety regulations and noise issues. The range of sport reduced to football, rugby, hockey and road running. It became a struggle to keep Rowheath Pavilion open and it was forced to close for a while in the eighties. The Lido site and a further 65 acres was sold off for housing development. The bandstands disappeared through vandalism and the park area became disused and overgrown.
Since Trinity Christian Centre were assigned the lease, the park has become a popular family destination again, the Pavilion is popular with local community groups for all ages and football, rugby and running continue to thrive.
Part of Rowheath Pavilion became a listed building in 2017, a sign of its importance to the local community.
Who we are
Rowheath Pavilion is operated by Trinity Christian Centre Limited (TCC). Pavilion Christian Community (now Rowheath Pavilion Church) was approached by Bournville Village Trust and asked to take on the Pavilion lease in 1997.
It was agreed to operate Rowheath Pavilion through an existing and separate charity, established to engage in community projects (Trinity Christian Centre Ltd). The primary reason for this arrangement was to enable a clear distinction between the finances of the Church and the Pavilion.
The policy of the trustees of TCC is to plough any profits from the Pavilion back into the community. Currently, Rowheath Pavilion Church is the one of largest contributors to the operating budget of Rowheath.
Since 2003, TCC has ensured that a diverse range of activities are available for the community. Some of these activities are community run, others are operated by commercial organisations. All have a community focus.
From its fundraising initiatives TCC has developed the building and grounds, creating a café, play area and new changing rooms for the sports users. TCC are currently fundraising to improve the building facing the road making the building fit for purpose to continue George Cadbury's legacy for the next 100 years.
Our Values
Our Vision
- To build a healthy community with the Church at its heart
Our Values
- Sharing the message of Jesus locally and globally
Rowheath Pavilion Church is at the heart of the Rowheath Pavilion community and our Christian identity is central to the way we operate. We share a passion for serving the Rowheath community
- Living to welcome everyone
Rowheath Pavilion welcomes everyone, whatever their race, faith, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, social status or health issues. We ask that those enjoying Rowheath Pavilion respect our Christian faith and the way our faith shapes the way we live and work.
- Displaying generosity prayerfully and practically
Rowheath Pavilion Staff and volunteers strive to be generous and positive in thought, words and actions to each other as well as customers. We acknowledge and respect the power of prayer at work in the Rowheath Pavilion Community.
- Standing up for social justice
Rowheath Pavilion welcomes inclusivity and has zero tolerance for any discrimination. We work with Rowheath Pavilion Church and other local organisations and customers to stand up for social justice. This includes ethical and local trading wherever possible.
- Celebrating and enjoying community life
Rowheath Pavilion serves the whole community. We ask that all visitors share our heart for community and act in a way that is respectful to all members of the community and respect our staff members and volunteers.