St. Catherine of Siena, lies in central Birmingham almost exactly on the boundary between the city centre and the inner suburbs. The church was built in the mid-1960s to replace a mid-Victorian building, one of the first Roman Catholic churches in the city, that was demolished in 1964 to allow for the widening of the A38.
Uncompromisingly modernist in style, and if anything mid-Century Scandinavian in texture; St. Catherine’s form also recalls Italy the homeland of the saint to which it is dedicated. The twin elements of modernity and tradition ripple throughout the building.
The main body of the church is spherical, in basilica style, a feature that harks back to some of the earliest Christian architecture. This doesn’t mean however, that the Catholic church chose the basilica style purely as an appeal to tradition and the origins of their faith. On the contrary the choice of the spherical basilica style made possible the implementation of the radical reforms to church liturgy and practice mandated by the Second Vatican Council in 1965.
Vatican II mandated that the church and its practices become more open to the laity. Holding services in the vernacular (English rather than Latin) and constructing worship spaces in the round so that all attendees could see the mass and feel like equal participants were key planks of this agenda. The interior of St. Catherine’s clearly expresses these values. Its walls are adorned with traditional Catholic imagery and symbolism, however, the central space is light, bright and modern with clear sight lines towards the altar.
The church is also a welcoming space in other regards. Its side rooms place host to many community groups and outreach services, whilst as the John F. Kennedy memorial chapel indicates, the church has long served as a hub for Birmingham’s Irish community a large proportion of which initially settled in Digbeth just on the other side of the A38.
Exterior Photos of St. Catherine’s
Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham. Built in the 1960s in a modern, inclusive style it nonetheless harks back to ancient churches in the Mediterranean world at the same time.
Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham. Built in the 1960s in a modern, inclusive style it nonetheless harks back to ancient churches in the Mediterranean world at the same time.
Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham. Built in the 1960s in a modern, inclusive style it nonetheless harks back to ancient churches in the Mediterranean world at the same time.
The basilica of the Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham. Built in the 1960s in a modern, inclusive style it nonetheless harks back to ancient churches in the Mediterranean world at the same time.
A brightly painted modern crucifix on the outside of the Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham.
Interior Photos of St. Catherine’s
The altar and seating in Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham. In common with all Roman Catholic churches built in the mid to late 1960s it is “in the round”. This is because it was decided by the Vatican II church council that the Roman Catholic church as an organisation should be more and inclusive of ordinary believers and allow all to participate in services on equal terms.
The pews in Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham, and the church’s very simple font for the baptism of infants (and occasionally adults). In common with all Roman Catholic churches built in the mid to late 1960s it is “in the round”. This is because it was decided by the Vatican II church council that the Roman Catholic church as an organisation should be more and inclusive of ordinary believers and allow all to participate in services on equal terms.
The organ at The organ pipes at the Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham. Whilst singing is less important in Roman Catholicism than in some other Christian denominations, the organ and musical interludes still play a very important part in the structure and running of services.
The organ casing at the Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham, is decorated with religious symbols. This one signifies the crucifixion. It is one of the oldest known Christian symbols having been used as far back in time as the Roman Empire.
The organ casing at the Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham, is decorated with religious symbols. This one signifies the so called lamb of god, a name for Jesus, and yet another example of a shepherd signifier in Christianity.
The organ casing at the Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham, is decorated with religious symbols. This one signifies the grapes from which the wine (the blood of Christ) used in mass is pressed.
The priests room in the Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham. This is where the priest leading worship prepares before he takes mass.
The chapel memorialising the assassinated American President John F. Kennedy in St. Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham. The church stands near Digbeth and Highgate, areas of central Birmingham which saw substantial Irish settlement in the 19th and 20th Centuries. The church was built in the mid-1960s shortly after Kennedy (a Roman Catholic of Irish descent himself) was assassinated. The chapel forms part of the community’s memorial to him.
The name plaque on the front of the chapel memorialising the assassinated American President John F. Kennedy in St. Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham. The church stands near Digbeth and Highgate, areas of central Birmingham which saw substantial Irish settlement in the 19th and 20th Centuries. The church was built in the mid-1960s shortly after Kennedy (a Roman Catholic of Irish descent himself) was assassinated. The chapel forms part of the community’s memorial to him.
The altar and seating in Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham. In common with all Roman Catholic churches built in the mid to late 1960s it is “in the round”. This is because it was decided by the Vatican II church council that the Roman Catholic church as an organisation should be more and inclusive of ordinary believers and allow all to participate in services on equal terms.
The priests room in the Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham. This is where the priest leading worship prepares before he takes mass.
A small side chapel for more intimate worship at the Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham.
Looking down the “chancel” of the Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham; from the entrance to the building.
The altar and seating in Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham. In common with all Roman Catholic churches built in the mid to late 1960s it is “in the round”. This is because it was decided by the Vatican II church council that the Roman Catholic church as an organisation should be more and inclusive of ordinary believers and allow all to participate in services on equal terms.
Artifacts and Aids to Worship in St. Catherine’s
A large decorative tabernacle on the main altar at the Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham. The tabernacle is a sacred repository for the storage of the “host” used during mass. In Roman Catholicism, perhaps more so than other branches of the Christian faith, the host is of crucial importance to worship because it is believed that during the service it takes on the literal form of the body of Christ.
Close up of a holy book in the arms of a carved wooden statue of May the Mother of Jesus standing in the Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham.
A close up shot of a service mistral (literary book) at the Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham.
Close up of the Shepard statue in the Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham.
A small crucifix stands over a small, yet ornate tabernacle in a side chapel at Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham. A tabernacle is a box where priests place the “host” (special bread, which Roman Catholics believe is imbued with the literal physical body of Christ).
A medallion showing one of the oldest Christina symbols (dating back to Roman times). It is found in the Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham.
A traditional crucifix, reminding worshipers to reflect upon the suffering of Christ. It is found inside the Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham.
This is the basin at which the priest in charge of Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham; prepares before mass. The brush like object sat upon a golden bowl is used for holy water during services.
A small seated statue of Mary mother of Jesus, holding Jesus as an infant. The cloth upon which it sits indicates that it comes from the Walsingham Shrine in Walsingham, Norfolk. It sits in the Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham.
A close up image detailing the shamrocks decorating the chapel memorialising the assassinated American President John F. Kennedy in St. Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham. The church stands near Digbeth and Highgate, areas of central Birmingham which saw substantial Irish settlement in the 19th and 20th Centuries. The church was built in the mid-1960s shortly after Kennedy (a Roman Catholic of Irish descent himself) was assassinated. The chapel forms part of the community’s memorial to him.
A traditional statue of a Shepard representing the place of the church and Jesus in “shepherding” God’s people towards him. It is found in St. Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham.
A traditional statue of a Mary Mother of Jesus, holding Jesus whilst he was a young boy. It is found in St. Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham.
A traditional statue of Mary the Mmother of Jesus. It is found in St. Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham. It stands on a small altar and is intended to inspire devotion.
A traditional statue of a young Mary Mother of Jesus. It is found in St. Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic church, central Birmingham.
Stained Glass and Paintings in St. Catherine’s
Close up of a face in a modern stained glass window showing the disciples watching Jesus ascend to heaven. It is in St. Catherine of Sienna Church, central Birmingham.
Close up of a face in a modern stained glass window showing the disciples watching Jesus ascend to heaven. It is in St. Catherine of Sienna Church, central Birmingham.
Modern stained glass window showing Mary the Mother of Jesus in St. Catherine of Sienna Church, central Birmingham.
Modern stained glass window showing the disciples watching Jesus ascend to heaven in St. Catherine of Sienna Church, central Birmingham.
A modern fairly abstract stained glass window in the St. Catherine of Sienna Church, central Birmingham. It shows Jesus surrounded by groups of angels and is intended to give the viewer an idea of what heaven is like.
Modern Painted images showing Jesus’ progress to Calvary (where he was executed). They are found on the walls of the St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Birmingham.
Modern Painted images showing Jesus’ progress to Calvary (where he was executed). They are found on the walls of the St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Birmingham.
Modern Painted images showing Jesus’ progress to Calvary (where he was executed). They are found on the walls of the St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Birmingham.
Modern Painted images showing Jesus’ progress to Calvary (where he was executed). They are found on the walls of the St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Birmingham.
Modern Painted images showing Jesus’ progress to Calvary (where he was executed). They are found on the walls of the St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Birmingham.
Modern Painted images showing Jesus’ progress to Calvary (where he was executed). They are found on the walls of the St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Birmingham.
Modern Painted images showing Jesus’ progress to Calvary (where he was executed). They are found on the walls of the St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Birmingham.
Modern Painted images showing Jesus’ progress to Calvary (where he was executed). They are found on the walls of the St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Birmingham.
Modern Painted images showing Jesus’ progress to Calvary (where he was executed). They are found on the walls of the St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Birmingham.
Modern Painted images showing Jesus’ progress to Calvary (where he was executed). They are found on the walls of the St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Birmingham.
Modern Painted images showing Jesus’ progress to Calvary (where he was executed). They are found on the walls of the St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Birmingham.
Modern Painted images showing Jesus’ progress to Calvary (where he was executed). They are found on the walls of the St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Birmingham.
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