CofE: Church Heritage Records

Church Heritage Record

Birmingham Cathedral

Diocese of Birmingham

Cathedral, 602001

Grade I listed building

Historic England ID: 1076173

Post Medieval

http://www.birminghamcathedral.com/

Grid reference: SP 69 870

St Philip’s Cathedral, Birmingham, is 300 years old in 2015, although it only became a cathedral in 1905. It is an unusual eighteenth-century church in the baroque style, with an Italianate influence that sets it apart from medieval churches. It was built by distinguished local architect, Thomas Archer, who also designed St John’s, Smith Square and parts of Chatsworth House. It sits in its own small park, the only green space in the city centre. Perhaps the most celebrated elements in Birmingham Cathedral are the four windows by leading Pre-Raphaelite artist and designer Edward Burne-Jones. Burne-Jones was Birmingham-born and baptised in the cathedral. He designed one west-end and three east-end windows specifically for St Philip’s, using his signature colours and style. Even on a dull day they are markedly arresting, and in sunshine they are truly breathtaking. As a city-centre landmark, the Cathedral’s square is enjoyed by some 20,000 people passing through daily. The park is also used for charity and arts events. Unusually for a cathedral, Birmingham retains some of its original box pews and its original eighteenth-century wrought iron screen. Designed and built as the church for what was becoming a major town, it retains a strong local flavour, including memorials to events such as the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings. More happily, it is often used to exhibit art and sculpture, making it an ever-changing space.

Visiting and facilities

Building is open for worship

Multiple services are held daily. Opening times are: Monday to Friday: 7.30am to 6.30pm Saturday: 8.30am to 5.00pm Sunday 8.10am to 5.15pm Facilities include accessible toilets, ramped entrance, hearing induction, large print books, and the cathedral is guide dog friendly. There is bell ringing, an organ, regular choir, and frequent live music events. There is also a Sunday school for children, and a shop.

Building

Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Footprint of Church buildings: 963 m²

Interior

Fixtures and fittings

Clock

19th Century Clock with cast iron side by side birdcage frame located in Tower made by JohnMoore from Clerkenwell, London in 1851

Historical Notes

1851 - 1851

Period Qualifier: 2

Bells

D

Nominal: 580 Hz Weight: 3493 lbs Diameter: 54.75" Bell 1 of 12

Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1937

Dove Bell ID: 685 Tower ID: 15513 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No

A

Nominal: 1740 Hz Weight: 664 lbs Diameter: 26.75" Bell 2 of 12

Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1949

Dove Bell ID: 11221 Tower ID: 15513 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No

G

Nominal: 1546 Hz Weight: 660 lbs Diameter: 27.5" Bell 3 of 12

Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1949

Dove Bell ID: 11222 Tower ID: 15513 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No

F♯

Nominal: 1450 Hz Weight: 645 lbs Diameter: 28.25" Bell 4 of 12

Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1937

Dove Bell ID: 11223 Tower ID: 15513 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No

E

Nominal: 1304 Hz Weight: 697 lbs Diameter: 29.5" Bell 5 of 12

Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1937

Dove Bell ID: 11224 Tower ID: 15513 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No

D

Nominal: 1160 Hz Weight: 737 lbs Diameter: 31" Bell 6 of 12

Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1937

Dove Bell ID: 11225 Tower ID: 15513 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No

C♯

Nominal: 1088 Hz Weight: 774 lbs Diameter: 32" Bell 7 of 12

Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1937

Dove Bell ID: 11226 Tower ID: 15513 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No

B

Nominal: 967 Hz Weight: 916 lbs Diameter: 34.5" Bell 8 of 12

Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1937

Dove Bell ID: 11227 Tower ID: 15513 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No

A

Nominal: 870 Hz Weight: 1158 lbs Diameter: 37.75" Bell 9 of 12

Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1937

Dove Bell ID: 11228 Tower ID: 15513 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No

G

Nominal: 773 Hz Weight: 1538 lbs Diameter: 41.5" Bell 10 of 12

Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1937

Dove Bell ID: 11229 Tower ID: 15513 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No

F♯

Nominal: 725 Hz Weight: 1788 lbs Diameter: 43.5" Bell 11 of 12

Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1937

Dove Bell ID: 11230 Tower ID: 15513 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No

E

Nominal: 652 Hz Weight: 2456 lbs Diameter: 48.5" Bell 12 of 12

Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1937

Dove Bell ID: 11231 Tower ID: 15513 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No

Churchyard

Grid reference: SP 69 870

Burial and War Grave Information

The church/building is consecrated.

The churchyard has been used for burial.

The churchyard is not used for burial.

The churchyard is closed for burial by order in council.

The date of the burial closure order is 20/03/1857

The churchyard does not have any war graves.

National Heritage record for England designations

Designation Type Name Grade
Listed Building Burnaby Obelisk II
Listed Building Bishop Gore Statue II
Listed Building Lower Part Of A Fluted Column II
Listed Building Fountain Approximately 20 Metres South West Of St Philip's Place Entrance II
Listed Building Unett Monument II
Listed Building Rostill Lines Monument II
Listed Building K6 Telephone Kiosk, Temple Row West II

Environment

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.

Renewables

Renewable Installed
Solar PV Panels No
Solar Thermal Panels No
Biomass No
Wind Turbine No
Air Source Heat Pump No

Species summary

All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Closed Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

Category Total record to date
SPECIES RECORDED 245
Animals Species 245
Reptiles and Amphibians 0
Invertebrate species 414
Birds 37
Fish Species 0
Mammals recorded 0
Bacterial Species 0
Chromista species 0
Fungi Species 0
Plant Species 0
Algae Species 0
Mosses and Liverworts (bryophytes) 0
Ferns 0
Flowering Plants 0
Gymnosperm and Ginkgo 0
Protozoa Species 0

Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

'Seek advice' Species

More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.

Common Name Scientific Name Recorded Yet? Blurred Species? Last Recorded
Great Crested Newt
(NBN Atlas opens in a new tab)
Triturus cristatus No No None
Natterjack Toad
(NBN Atlas opens in a new tab)
Epidalea calamita No No None
Sand Lizard
(NBN Atlas opens in a new tab)
Lacerta agilis No No None
Common Lizard
(NBN Atlas opens in a new tab)
Zootoca vivipara No No None
Adder
(NBN Atlas opens in a new tab)
Vipera berus No No None
Grass Snake
(NBN Atlas opens in a new tab)
Natrix helvetica No No None
Smooth Snake
(NBN Atlas opens in a new tab)
Coronella austriaca No No None
Slow-worm
(NBN Atlas opens in a new tab)
Anguis fragilis No No None
Eurasian Red Squirrel
(NBN Atlas opens in a new tab)
Sciurus vulgaris No No None
Eurasian Badger
(NBN Atlas opens in a new tab)
Meles meles No Yes None
Hazel Dormouse
(NBN Atlas opens in a new tab)
Muscardinus avellanarius No Yes None
Swift
(NBN Atlas opens in a new tab)
Apus apus Yes Yes 2020
House Martin
(NBN Atlas opens in a new tab)
Delichon urbicum No No None
Bat
(NBN Atlas opens in a new tab)
Chiroptera No Yes None

Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.