Which came first, the chicken…or the choir stall?
Answer: the choir stalls in Coleshill parish church - by 90 years.
This choir stall end bearing a likeness to Sesame Street’s Big Bird was created in 1859 by James Forsyth, one of two Scottish brothers who were wood and stone sculptors.
Big Bird by muppeteer Jim Henson debuted in Sesame Street in 1969.
The Forsyth brothers produced works in stone and wood in churches and other large buildings throughout the country between 1851 and 1903.
The choir stalls, pulpit and other woodwork at Coleshill were made as part of the huge reordering of the church. The entire expense of about £10,000, the equivalent of £1.2m now, was met by vicar the Rev J.D.W.Digby and by his brother, G. W. Digby of Sherborne Castle.
Coleshill has just undergone another large reordering to meet the needs of the 21st century. The Big Bird lookalike is untouched. All the stall ends are different and worth a visit when the church is open for visitors again.
The Coventry Herald of 15 July 1859 described the stone and wood carvings as “executed with exceeding delicacy and beauty.”
