Church of SS Mary and Ambrose, Edgbaston

The Church of SS Mary and Ambrose stands in Edgbaston, a leafy suburb of Birmingham. Built between 1897 and 1898 by J. A. Chatwin, it serves as a parish church for the Church of England. The site was donated by Augustus Gough-Calthorpe, 6th Baron Calthorpe, and the church was consecrated in 1898 by the Bishop of Worcester. It began as a daughter parish to St Bartholomew’s Church in the same area. The building cost £8,000, with local parishioners contributing £2,000 and the Misses Stokes of Hawthorns covering the rest. The church has been home to a series of clergy over the decades. Arthur G. Lloyd served from 1891 to 1915, followed by Martin Cope Heathcote Hughes until 1950. Later incumbents included Alfred Doyle, Nigel Graham, and Richard Wilcox. The current vicar is Chris Mitton, who took up the role in 2025. The church also has a notable organ, installed by J. W. Walker & Sons Ltd in 1898, with a long history of organists including W. Timperley and Anthony White. Inside, visitors find a Grade II listed building with a rich heritage. The organ remains a key feature, alongside the stained glass and architectural details from the 19th century. The church sits in a quiet part of Edgbaston, surrounded by well-kept gardens and residential streets. Its history is reflected in the names of past clergy and musicians who shaped its life. The building continues to serve as a place of worship and community gathering in Birmingham.