George and Richard Cadbury put their faith into action as they built their new chocolate factory and the pioneering village beyond the boundaries of the city centre. The Quaker Meeting House was built in 1905 and was designed by William Alexander Harvey, an influential architect on the Bournville estate. It is unusually ornate for a Quaker Meeting House, showing Arts and Crafts influences, but as it was to be used by the new villagers as a place of worship and a community building for all, it was designed to look familiar to churchgoers. The Y-shaped building is based on Edgar Wood’s First Church of Christ Scientist in Manchester. A bust of George Cadbury by Frank Wood was installed in 1924 and can be seen from the exterior that overlooks Bournville and the Village Green. Interred beneath are the ashes of George and his second wife Dame Elizabeth. 

There will be an exhibition of old photos of the Meeting House, details about the fine Harrison and Harrison organ and a display board of Quaker testimonies and leaflets which might be of interest

Limited car parking for organisers and blue badge holders only. Additional on-road parking and shoppers’ car park in Sycamore Road, all signposted.

This event is part of Bournville Heritage Open Day. Many other historic sites in the wider Bournville area open their doors on Sat 9 Sept. For a full list of events in Bournville, click here.

Image Credit: Emma Pyzer/Birmingham Heritage Week

Organised by Bournville Quaker Meeting & Bournville Village Trust