File:Statue of the first Bishop of Birmingham Charles Gore.jpg

statue of the first Bishop of Birmingham - Charles Gore

The Cathedral Church of St Philip is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of Birmingham. It was built as a parish church and consecrated in 1715. It became a cathedral in 1905 for the newly formeed Diocese of Birmingham. It was built in the early 18th century in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer and is located on Colmore Row in Birmingham (and Temple Row to the south and west). The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.

Designed 1709 and consecrated in 1715, though the tower not completed until 1725. Raised to cathedral status in 1905. By Thomas Archer, his first big commission, and of far more than local importance as a major monument of the English Baroque. Stone, refaced in 1864-9 by J A Chatwin. Restored after war damage, 1947-8. Rectangular in plan with slight east and west projections representing chancel and tower; the aisles extend further than the nave at each end to form vestibules containing stairs to the galleries either side of the tower and vestries either side of the chancel. The vestries are part of the alterations made to the east end in 1883-4 by J A Chatwin who also extended Archer's original shallow apsidal chancel. Tower and porches either side with Borrominesque detail. Side elevations with arched windows separated by Doric pilasters carrying an entablature and parapet with urns on the skyline. Inside, a 5-bay arcade, north and south galleries and plasterwork by Richard Hass. Principal among the furnishings are the organ-case of 1715 by Thomas Schwarbrick of Warwick, the wrought-iron chancel rails in the style of Tijou or Bakewell of Derby and the east and west stained glass windows of 1885-97 designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris.