St. Michael's Church, Hall Green, Birmingham

Description

St Michael’s Church was opened in June 1971 as the first purpose built Anglican Methodist Church in the UK. The worship space is a hexagonal shape which is reflected across the site. The side Chapel is a unique prayer space – well used by local people who wish to sit in a quite prayerful space in the midst of a busy outer housing estate.

St Michael’s serves the Gospel Oak area of Hall Green, and as a focal point commissioned a unique piece of artwork by local artist Jake Lever, ‘The Gospel Oak’. Jake writes “When I was invited to create an artwork for St Michael’s I was immediately drawn to the name of the area, Gospel Oak, which is likely to go back to medieval times. This was almost certainly a site, marked by an oak tree on the manor boundary, where the Bible was read on days of solemn prayers. A cross may have been carved on a significant oak tree at Gospel Lane where a tree felled in 1846 was believed to be the Gospel Oak. In our human experience, we move through times of rapid spiritual growth (perhaps in the face of illness or other challenges), and times that are more barren, times of dryness. I wanted the cracks to be a central part of the image; in my experience it is often during times of brokenness that I feel closest to God, in touch with my own vulnerability. I hope that this image creates a link with the generations who have lived, worked and worshipped in this area.”

The Oak Community Centre which embraces the whole site of St Michael’s Church, harnessing the skills and talents of people to create a hub for Hall Green (an area of high deprivation being one of the poorest neighbourhoods in the country), and in this way playing a part in transforming unjust structures, challenging violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation. They aim for the buildings to be brought up to a high standard environmentally, to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the lives of local people.

Standard opening times: Generally open during weekdays in term time 9 am to 4 pm and by arrangement; Saturday morning and Sunday morning. Services every Sunday 10 am and Wednesday at 11.30 am.

Location

17 Redstone Farm Road, Hall Green, BIRMINGHAM, B28 9NU, United Kingdom

Directions

Grid reference: SP 119 812
By car: From M42 take the A34 exit 4 to Shirley. Continue on Stratford Road/A34 to Hall Green. Turn right at Robin Hood roundabout, 5th exit onto Solihull Lane. Continue along Solihull Lane to the 2nd exit left Redstone Farm Road. St Michael’s is on left opposite a Co Op Supermarket after ½ mile.
To find us: View the map on:
https://www.achurchnearyou.com/wwwstmichaelshallgreencouk/
Public transport: Train from Birmingham Snow Hill to Hall Green or Olton Railway Stations both within 20 minutes’ walk.
Bus 4A from Birmingham Snow Hill Station; 31 from Birmingham City Centre; 11 from Hall Green Station and 20 minute walk

Facilities

Accessible for wheelchairs. Off street and on road parking. Toilet facilities and baby change. Garden.
Place of Welcome Wednesday 12 to 2 pm for tea, coffee
Facebook links:
http://www.facebook.com/Stmichaelsgospeloakcentre/
https://www.facebook.com/StMichaelsHGLive

Hospitaller/Contact Person

Revd Ian Crockford,
St Michael's Church
17 Redstone Farm Road
Hall Green
Birmingham
B28 9NU

Tel: 0121 777 2890

Email:

Web Link

https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7290/

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