RUBERY’S St Chad’s Church has become the first building in the village to be listed.
The team is delighted Historic England has added the church – which opened in 1959 – to its list of buildings of special architectural and historic interest.
The much-loved accessible space has been cared for by local people for the past 66 years and now it is used for many different community activities throughout the week as well as the usual worship.
Picture by John East. s
The listing decision was made by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the advice of Historic England.
The history of St Chad’s
Designed by renowned 20th century architect, Richard Twentyman, St Chad’s was built as part of the Church of England Birmingham’s ‘Circles Without Centres’ programme in the 1950s.
It was in response to the growing population on the edge of the city.
The churches built during this time were designed to be flexible spaces that could accommodate a variety of different activities.
Like Twentyman’s other buildings, St Chad’s was built with an honest simplicity but with a real attention to detail – both the design and the materials used have stood the test of time.
Picture by John East. s
The inside of the building is perhaps its greatest strength. It is flooded with natural light and the space offers a warm welcome to all who enter. The area around the altar – known as the chancel – is clad with concrete panels which give a strong sculptural backdrop to the ecclesiastical furniture designed specifically for the building.
Alongside the main multi-purpose space, a smaller octagonal chapel is set aside for quieter prayer.
‘A place for the community’
Picture by John East. s
Rev Claire Turner, vicar at St Chad’s, said: “St Chad’s doesn’t just belong to the worshiping congregation but to the wider community.
“We know the modern design of church building can divide opinion, but the majority would agree it offers this brilliant community an uplifting space in which they can gather, be together and learn from one another.
“My predecessors have left us a wonderful asset and I am really pleased that, having been designated a Grade II listing, we will be better able to preserve this beautiful church for the future.”
Picture by John East. s
The church’s team is currently planning a series of events during 2026 to give thanks for the church’s past, celebrate its current place within the life of the parish of Rubery and to look forward to the future.
