St Martin In The Bullring

This place is pretty beautiful...if you are a tourist in Birmingham I would definitely say its worth a look. Located right by the Bullring this almost gothic looking building has been amazingly restored as the new buildings have been built around it.

For any locals check the church website as there is sometimes vintage sales and other events in the main hall. Obviously worth a look.

When I first came to Birmingham, I didn't know who St Martin was or that this was a church, all I knew was there was certainly a magnificent church facing me as I drank my coffee at Starbucks, across the way with glass windows with great views of this church, as a building it is spectacular and really livens up Birmingham and makes the "City core" nicer as a whole, and it is amazing to see just a thing within meters of The Bullring, Birmingham's rather large shopping center.

I class myself as Roman Catholic, yet I wouldn't class myself as extremely religious but still this Church is a really nice place to spend some time around while in Birmingham, with it being a nice, old building to the point where it actually is a Grade II listed building and has 16 bells.

The current church has been there since 1873, since the old one was demolished, however 143 years on, it is ironic to be still calling this the "New" church, but still history goes back into the 1500's, where it still stood with 4 bells in 1552.

They isn't much to say other than this is a really nice building and makes Birmingham city center as a whole, due to this great church and piece of history being on the door-step of Birmingham city center, which helps make Birmingham stand out, and to me is one of the things that makes Birmingham what it is today, an answer to London's Buckingham Palace perhaps?

UPDATE: When I visited Birmingham, I run out of superlatives to describe this church but still I can't help but feel I only gave it such a high rating because of location, and in my opinion I feel I was too generous and location focused in my rating, I don't think this church has done enough to deserve 4 stars yet and I feel St Martin's in the Bullring deserves a high three star rating.

Lots going on everyday. Beside the services there are Cuppa and chat, knit and natter, exhibitions, displays, unique floral arrangements, prayers and praises

Part of Birmingham long history. Amongst the hustle and bustle of our modern Bullring shopping centre is a church that represents so much in the heart of our city.

This review is more on the cafe attached to church then the church it self.
i went to market the other day and thought it would be nice to go to church cafe however even though there is plenty of seating i thought it was over priced but that as student i do try get my moneys worth. I was slightly confused also as it is a church cafe how come they sold alcohol

This church has really benefitted from the redevelopment of the Bullring area. It is now the focal point as shoppers walk down the plaza running between the halves of the shopping centre. Regardless of your religious beliefs, it is quite nice to see such a spiritual haven amongst the sea of consumerism

It is really lovely to sit on the steps just by Mango and gaze out at the church and the nearby markets.

The church is in the gothic style, with a towering pointed spire in sandy coloured stone. I love the way it is juxtaposed with the futuristic bulge of the Selfridges building.

Inside, there is a grand old pipe organ and some stunning stained glass - including a window that combines the work of artistic legends William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones.

The church does a lot of community work and also runs a café.

Having shown a friend round the Bullring who was visiting Birmingham from London, I thought St Martins Church would be an ideal tourist venture, and although he wasn't religious he appreciated this all the same.

All visitors are welcome here, and although they do have regular services you don't have to sign up as it were, but can just admire the view, decor and beauty of this magnificent building.

I like how they display craft work from different communities. There is also a lovely cafe downstairs which I would recommend, great for lunch and refreshments. Perfect for a quiet get away from the madness of the shopping at the Bullring, and a great central location.

I can't really give this 5 stars as I'm not reviewing St. Martin's religious services or community services, although if you are religious you can expect more than just a worship service here as they also have quizzes, barn dances, art workshops, concerts and retreats.

I love this building, and one of the best parts of the redevelopment of the Bullring was the open walkway between the behemoth shopping mall to the vista of St. Martin's. It always felt swarmed by the old bullring and the sea of market stalls at it's door but now it can stand tall and proud. The restoration that was undertaken as part of the Bullring re-development lifted the entire building.

If you love art then take a visit to this great example of gothic architecture, admittedly there is a fair bit of it around Brum. The stand out feature for me is the the window opposite the organ pipes that combines the work of the Pre-Raphaelite Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris. It was very nearly lost during WW2 when other windows were destroyed and was only boxed and saved in time before a second bomb struck the area.

I'm sure you'll find yourself at the bullring anyway so I urge you to take a break, maybe have a coffee in the church instead of Starbucks and take in the church's beauty. you don't have to be religious to appreciate the art and the craftsmanship.

great church lively worship and very friendly staff on the help desk. it is open all week and is amazing.

Apart from the amazing victorian gothis building, and some real history, there is loads on offer. There are regular church services, traditional, contempory, eastern style, cafe style etc, there are also concerts, exhibitions, art classes, a helpdesk, a professional counselling service, children's groups, a shop, a Tea Lounge serving light lunches and loads of different drinks. Its lovely to walk around but its worth also checking out if they have any other events that may interest you.