in April 1641, during the English Civil War, the vicar George Dance, agreed that he would give £60 a year, out of his income of £200, to a preacher who should be chosen by certain trustees.

Richard Baxter was invited to deliver a sermon before the people, and was unanimously elected as the minister, or lecturer, of St Mary and All Saints' Church, Kidderminster.

[4] In 1847 a new entrance to the body of the church was provided underneath the tower through an arch which had formerly been blocked up.

The monuments in the church were cleaned and restored, and the reredos was painted by Mr. Margetts of Oxford.

In 1846 a decision was taken to obtain a new organ as the existing one was placed at the west end of the church and impeded the view of the window.

[6] The congregation also wanted the organ moved to support a new choir which was engaged to perform full cathedral services on Sundays.

The new organ by George Holdich was opened by Dr. Marshall (organist of St Mary’s) on 7 June 1848.

A new frame was erected for the rehanging of the bells and this work was carried out by J. Taylor and Sons of Loughborough.

Three new fixed bells were added to the set of carillon chimes which were presented to the town by the Freemasons of the district.

[22] By June 1856, James Harrison of Hull was installing a new clock at a cost of £140 (equivalent to £16,500 in 2023)[23] which was designed to strike the quarters.