What was a simple church built to adapt to the rapid growth of the town, is now a heritage-listed building in the heart of Birmingham. The beautiful St. Philip’s Cathedral has served the Anglican-catholic community of Birmingham since 1715 and remains the oldest building in the city centre to still be used for its original purpose. Besides worship, you can visit this historic landmark every day and even attend a concert at its sanctuary.
Curiosities of St. Philip’s Cathedral
1. The story starts with the church of St. Philip, built and consecrated in 1715.
Due to the rapid growth of the town in the 17th century, a notable English Baroque architect was hired to design an Anglican church. Influenced by the churches of Borromini, Thomas Archer included a dome, volutes, giant pilasters, oval windows, rusticated stonework and a balustrade with decorative urns in the structure. Certainly, its main highlights are the four beautiful stained-glass windows, designed by Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones that depict the scenes from the life of Christ.
2. Additions to the initial design were made in 1725.
The construction of a tower became possible in 1725 through donations by the King. It also consisted of a gilded cross, a weather vane a boar’s head and orb. The weather vane was meant to include a part of the Gough family crest, who were responsible for garnering the funds needed for the tower’s completion.
3. There’s a historic Swarbick organ still in place, dating back to 1715.
Originally built by Thomas Swarbick, a renowned English organ builder in the 18th century, the beautiful organ of the cathedral still dates in part from 1715. It was first positioned in a West end gallery and restored, enlarged and modernised several times to include some more modern installments. The most recent major changes were made by Nicholsons in 1993. The cathedral has a strong tradition of musical prominence, linked to its organ and the regular evensong that takes place every day during school time.
What can you do at St. Philip’s Cathedral?
St. Philip’s Cathedral is open daily till 17:00 if you want to visit its stunning interiors, take pictures and marvel at the many features of the nave. There’s also a children’s choir that often performs in the cathedral. Additionally, the popular Candlelight series, known for its signature sea of candles frequently hosts concerts at the cathedral’s nave. This season, Birmingham Cathedral is welcoming tributes to the likes of Coldplay, Queen and popular film composers.
FAQs
Is Birmingham Cathedral free?
The cathedral is free to enter and everyone is welcome to marvel at the gorgeous interiors.
How many cathedrals does Birmingham have?
Birmingham has two cathedrals, namely St. Chad’s and St. Philip’s.
How to get to St. Philip’s Cathedral?
It’s easily accessible by public transport. The nearest station is Snow Hill if you’re taking the train or Metro services, but all city centre buses pass by, as well. Additionally, there is limited on-street parking in Colmore Row, Temple Row and Waterloo Street.
Nearby venues
The cathedral is located in the heart of the city centre near The Grand Hotel Birmingham and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
And besides the historic cathedral, if you want to give these candlelit performances a go, the series takes place at some of the most iconic venues in the city. The warm glow of candlelight makes for a breathtaking backdrop to one-of-a-kind classical concerts.