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St. Paul's Church, Birmingham: Georgian Heritage in the Jewellery Quarter

Historic Georgian church in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, famed for its stunning stained glass and enduring cultural significance.

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St. Paul's Church, located in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter, is a distinguished Georgian-era Church of England building consecrated in 1779. Renowned for its elegant rectangular design, fine stained-glass windows—including the iconic Conversion of Paul by Francis Eginton—and its role as a spiritual and cultural hub, the church reflects Birmingham’s industrial heritage and architectural resilience through restorations after wartime damage.

A brief summary to St. Paul's Church

  • St Paul's Church, St Paul's Square, Birmingham, B3 1QZ, GB
  • +441212367858
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
  • Free
  • Environment icon Indoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
  • Monday 11 am-2 pm
  • Tuesday 11 am-2 pm
  • Wednesday 11 am-2 pm
  • Thursday 11 am-2 pm
  • Friday 11 am-2 pm

Local tips

  • Visit on weekdays between 11am and 2pm when the church is open for quiet reflection and viewing of the stained glass windows.
  • Explore St. Paul's Square around the church to appreciate the Georgian architecture and historic atmosphere of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.
  • Listen for the peal of 10 bells installed in 2005, which add a unique auditory dimension to the church experience.
  • Check the church’s event schedule for live music performances held within this atmospheric historic venue.
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Getting There

  • Train and Tram

    From Birmingham New Street station, take a 10-15 minute taxi or a 20-minute tram ride on the West Midlands Metro towards Wolverhampton, alighting at St. Paul's tram stop. The church is a short 5-minute walk from the tram stop. Trams run frequently, and tickets cost around £2.50-£3.50.

  • Bus

    Several bus routes serve St. Paul's Square, including numbers 8 and 63 from Birmingham city centre. The journey takes approximately 15-20 minutes depending on traffic. Bus fares range from £2.00 to £3.00 for a single trip.

  • Car

    Driving to St. Paul's Church is possible, but parking in the Jewellery Quarter is limited and often metered. Nearby public parking garages are available with hourly rates typically between £2 and £4. Allow 10-20 minutes for parking during weekdays.

  • Walking

    If staying nearby in central Birmingham, walking to St. Paul's Church from the Bullring shopping centre takes about 20-25 minutes through urban streets. The route is flat and accessible but may be busy during peak hours.

St. Paul's Church location weather suitability

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  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures

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Discover more about St. Paul's Church

An Architectural Gem of Georgian Birmingham

St. Paul's Church stands prominently in St. Paul's Square, the last surviving Georgian square in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. Designed by Roger Eykyn, a Wolverhampton surveyor, with advisory input from local architect Samuel Wyatt, the church was constructed between 1777 and 1779 on land donated by Charles Colmore from his Newhall estate. Its rectangular nave, round-arched windows, galleries, and apsidal chancel exemplify Georgian ecclesiastical architecture influenced by London's St Martin in the Fields but without the latter's portico. The church retains original box pews with enamel plaques, a rare survival in Birmingham.

Artistic Highlights and Stained Glass Masterpieces

One of St. Paul's most celebrated features is the east window, created by Francis Eginton in 1791. This painted glass window depicts the Conversion of St Paul, based on an altarpiece by Benjamin West, a prominent American court painter and Royal Academy president. The window was commissioned in 1785 and took six years to complete, with Samuel Wyatt designing the altar-piece setting. Additional stained glass windows from the 19th and 20th centuries by artists such as Ward and Hughes, Pearce, and Rachel Thomas (whose Millennium Window incorporates Birmingham Assay Office hallmarks) enrich the church's interior with layers of historical and artistic significance.

Historical Role and Community Significance

Originally a chapel of ease to St Martin in the Bull Ring, St. Paul's was designated a parish church in 1841, carved out to serve the growing industrial population of the Jewellery Quarter. By the mid-19th century, the parish housed around 11,000 residents amid a mix of housing and small-scale manufacturing, particularly jewelry workshops. Despite wartime damage during World War II, including broken windows and chipped masonry, the church survived and became a focal point for industrial mission work. Restoration efforts from 1949 to 1951, and later from 1985 to 1994, preserved the building’s integrity and heritage.

St. Paul's Square: A Georgian Urban Oasis

The church is set within St. Paul's Square, Birmingham’s only remaining Georgian square, originally laid out in the late 18th century on the Colmore family’s Newhall Estate. Once a fashionable residential area for merchants and manufacturers, the square later accommodated workshops and factories, some of which altered the original elegance of the surroundings. Many buildings around the square are Grade II listed, preserving the historic character of this unique urban enclave.

Musical Heritage and Modern Revival

St. Paul's Church also serves as a live music venue, enriching Birmingham’s cultural scene. In 2005, a peal of 10 bells was installed, enhancing the church’s auditory presence in the community. The church’s revival parallels the regeneration of the Jewellery Quarter, reestablishing it as both a place of worship and a historic landmark that embodies the area's rich cultural tapestry and industrial past.

Preservation and Legacy

Today, St. Paul's Church remains a vital heritage site, showcasing Georgian architectural elegance and artistic treasures within Birmingham’s urban fabric. Its resilience through war damage, sustained restoration, and continued community role underscore its importance as a symbol of the city’s evolving history and identity. The church’s website and local archives continue to document its ongoing story, inviting visitors to explore its rich legacy.

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