Guided tour of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri, Birmingham’s ‘Little Rome’.

The Birmingham Oratory

The Oratory Church is Grade II* listed building which dates mainly from the beginning of the Twentieth Century but with an interior which evokes the Italian Baroque. It was founded by the famous English Catholic Convert and writer Cardinal John Henry Newman and was once the home of JRR Tolkien.

The Oratory Church remains home to a vibrant and diverse Roman Catholic faith community. The church is filled with rich marble interiors and Italian mosaics which were produced by craftsmen in Murano, Italy. It also features an alabaster baptistry by the local designer Dunstan Powell and executed by the Hardman’s company.

The Holy Souls altar in the church and the Victorian cloisters contain memorials to those who died during the Great War.

During Birmingham Heritage Week the church is open on days and hours listed below, no booking required to drop in and see the church. Tours are available at scheduled times and need to be booked.

Light refreshments served in the Lower Cloister Hall.

Church Openingtimes in Birmingham Heritage Week (no booking required) : Sat 12 Sept; 12.30pm-6.30pm |Sun 13 Sept; 1pm-6.30pm | Tue 15 Sept; 9am-6.30pm | Thu 17 Sept; 9am-6.30pm | Sat 19 Sept; 12.30pm-6.30pm | Sun 20 Sept; 1pm-6.30pm

Tour times - booking required

Sat 12 Sept; tours 12.30 & 2.30pm

Sun 13 Sept; tour 2.30pm

Tue 15 Sept; tours 10.30am & 2.30pm

Thu 17 Sept; tour 10.30am &2.30pm

Sat 19 Sept; tour 12.30 & 2.30pm

The entrance to the Oratory car park is via Plough and Harrow Road. This entrance is found opposite St George's Primary School. The main pedestrian entry is on the Hagley Road through the cloister garden. Wheelchair access is from the car park entrance.

Description supplied by the event organiser.