St Mary’s Church, Handsworth is a grade II listed and although largely reconstructed in 1820 and again in 1870, the first stone church on this site was erected around 1160. A few surviving Norman features can still be seen at the lower part of the sandstone tower. The church has interesting monuments and tombs and stained-glass windows.
St Mary’s Church is sometimes referred to as the Cathedral of the Industrial Revolution because James Watt, Matthew Boulton and William Murdoch, are all buried here. They were key players in Birmingham’s industrial development and members of the Lunar Society. A separate chapel holds a large white marble statue of James Watt (sculpted by Francis Legatt Chantrey), while Matthew Boulton and William Murdoch are commemorated in mural monuments.
Feel free to drop in on the day and guides will be available to answer your questions and show you around the church. Tea, coffee and refreshments available to buy.
How to get there. The no. 16/16A buses stop directly outside the church (and Handsworth Park) on Hamstead Road. The no. 11 buses stop just a short walk away on Church Lane and Wellington Road. Cyclists and walkers are also welcome (please feel free to bring your bike into the church). Road parking is available around St Mary’s Church.
Organised by St Mary’s Church, Handsworth
DATE & TIME
Sat 19 Sept | 10am–4.30pm
LOCATION
St Mary’s Parish Church, Hamstead Road, Handsworth, B20 2RW
COST
Free
BOOKING
Booking not required
ACCESS
St Mary’s is wheelchair accessible with a sloped entrance. Most of the church is step free, but to view the Watt Chapel you would need to be comfortable walking up steps. Wheelchair users may require assistance from the pavement through the gate onto the path. The accessible door is on the south side of the building (the same side of the building as the lake in Handsworth Park).
