Discover this ‘hidden gem’ in Highgate. St Alban’s is a Victorian Gothic Church and opened in 1881. Designed by renowned Gothic Revival architect John Loughborough Pearson, this church is a masterpiece of Anglo-Catholic artistry, history and architecture. 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, painted by Kate Bunce (c. 1909–1918) and framed in hand-beaten copper by her sister, Myra. 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. 

Talks on various themes are offered through the week (see dates and times below). Free leaflets are 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).

How to get there
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).

Organised by Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Alban and St Patrick, Highgate.