Church of St Matthew
CHURCH OF ST MATTHEW, BIRDBROOK ROAD
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1375536
- Date first listed:
- 16-Jun-1997
- List Entry Name:
- Church of St Matthew
- Statutory Address:
- CHURCH OF ST MATTHEW, BIRDBROOK ROAD
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Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2006-09-20
- Reference:
- IOE01/13430/07
- Rights:
- © Mr Walter Chinn. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1375536
- Date first listed:
- 16-Jun-1997
- List Entry Name:
- Church of St Matthew
- Statutory Address 1:
- CHURCH OF ST MATTHEW, BIRDBROOK ROAD
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- CHURCH OF ST MATTHEW, BIRDBROOK ROAD
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Birmingham (Metropolitan Authority)
- Parish:
- Non Civil Parish
- National Grid Reference:
- SP 07189 93499
Details
SP 09 SE BIRMINGHAM BIRDBROOK ROAD
Perry Beeches
997/3/10142 Church of St Matthew
II
Church. 1962-64. Maguire and Murray. Buff brick; reinforced concrete; low pitched copper roof. Irregular hexagon in plan, with the altar set just off centre along one side. Sanctuary raised and altar itself raised by a further step. Font is located to the south of the altar. Tall church which rises up in a series of turned hexagons, narrowing towards the top, each layer with a low monopitched roof and sloping clerestory, and each layer defined by a horizontal concrete band. Glazing renewed, like-for-like, in timber frames, (now black stained). Concrete bell tower rises to west side. Clock inset on south side (not original but in keeping, the fingers being set directly on the brickwork). Covered way and glazed porch on south side and vestries to north.
Internally buff brick and concrete are again exposed and the rising hexagons supported and dramatised by huge beams which define the space at the different levels. Boarded roof with exposed timber beams. The original double cube altar has been replaced, but the original `de Stijl-like' pulpit, lectern, priest's chair and desk survive, the former two raised on a brick plinth; these are open, frame-like structures in light timber. The font is a large brick cylinder containing an industrial ceramic vat, with a polished brass lid. The handsome brown terracotta floor paviors (which cover the whole floor inside the church) form a circular pattern around it. The original light fittings by Murray survive; they comprise rows of delicate lights with arched reflectors, hung at low level and linked by fine metal rods; they are hung so as to emphasise the idea of overlapping hexagons which informs the whole design. Above the font is a cross shaped timber fixture with eight lights, also original. The light-coloured timber benches, of `chunky' design, are original.
Architecturally powerful in its design, this church is a fine example of the influence of the Liturgical Movement in this country.
Listing NGR: SP0718993499
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 466436
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 23-Jun-2026 at 14:16:13.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
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