St Alban the Martyr, Highgate, Birmingham
St. Alban the Martyr Church, Conybere Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B12 0YH
St Alban’s: A Living Legacy
Discover the inspiring history of the Pollock brothers, whose mission work has been at the heart of this community’s church and high school for generations. Founded on an Anglo-Catholic vision of transformation in 1865, St Alban’s remains a vibrant and essential pillar of the local area.
Inside, visitors will find a treasure trove of Anglo-Catholic art, architecture, and history. The majestic stone vaulting throughout the nave and chancel was designed by Pearson to evoke a profound sense of awe and wonder, transforming the space into Birmingham's "best kept secret."
The Bunce Altarpiece is a five-panelled Arts & Crafts reredos in St Patrick's Chapel, painted by Kate Bunce (c. 1909–1918) and framed in hand-beaten copper by her sister, Myra. It is a memorial to their father, John Thackery Bunce, former editor of the Birmingham Post.
The church is also home to an extraordinary collection of stained-glass windows, featuring masterworks by Henry Payne, Sidney Meteyard, John Hardman & Co., Morris & Co., Clayton & Bell, and Frank Albert Smallpiece.
Whether you are an architecture enthusiast, an enjoyer of history, or simply seeking a space for quiet reflection, St Alban the Martyr offers a warm welcome to all.
Free leaflets are also available in the church for a heritage trail around the parish of 1.2, 1.6 or 2 miles (2, 2.6 or 3.2 km).
Timings
- Friday 11 September:
- Open 1200 - 1800
- Saturday 12 September:
- Open 1600 - 1800: Talk 4pm, Building St Alban's
- Sunday 13 September:
- Open 1200 - 1800: Talk 5pm, Anglo-Catholic Liturgical Heritage
- Monday 14 September:
- Open 1700 - 2000: Talk 6pm, Windows
- Wednesday 16 September:
- Open 1700 - 2000: Talk 6pm, The Bunce Altarpiece
- Friday 18 September:
- Open 1200 - 2000: Talk 6pm, Anglo-Catholic Musical Development, with live organ music
- Sunday 20 September:
- Open 1200 - 1800: Talk 12noon, Theology of the Pollock Brothers
Location & directions
St. Alban the Martyr Church, Conybere Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B12 0YH
- Directions:
- Key Bus Routes through Highgate: 50 (National Express & Diamond): Extremely frequent service from Birmingham City Centre through Highgate (Alcester Road) to Druids Heath or Maypole. 61 & 63 (National Express): Run along Bristol Road/Sherlock Street towards Frankley, serving the western side of Highgate. 8A & 8C (National Express): Birmingham Inner Circle, passing through Highgate, Small, Heath, and Five Ways. 45 & 47 (National Express): Travel along Pershore Road/Sherlock Street on the edge of the small parish. A bicycle rack for cyclists is available via the side entrance on Stanhope Street and we are close to the Rea Valley cycle route (NCR5).
- Contact on day:
- Fr Jacob, Parish Priest
- Telephone number:
- +447510270381
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
The main entrance is up steps from Stanhope Street, but step-free access to the church is via a path beside the church from a gate on Stanhope Street. Disabled Parking is on Standhope Street, and is immediatly outside the church gate with step-free access. We offer full wheelchair access into the main building. While we sadly cannot provide wheelchair access into the chancel, this will not prevent you from enjoying our beautiful stained-glass windows or experiencing the grandeur of the building. Everyone is welcome to explore and enjoy this historic space.
Additional information
Organised by Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Alban and St Patrick, Highgate
