St Stephen's Church, Selly Park

St Stephen’s Church stands in Selly Park, a leafy suburb south-west of Birmingham city centre. Built in 1870–71 by Martin & Chamberlain in the English Decorated Gothic style, it was designed as a daughter church of nearby St Mary’s, Selly Oak. The building was consecrated on 18 August 1871 and soon became the centre of its own parish. In 1892 a separate parish was carved out from St Mary’s and assigned to St Stephen’s. Later, in 2004, part of the church became Christ Church, Selly Park, leaving St Stephen’s with its present identity. The church belongs to the Conservative Evangelical tradition of the Church of England. It has passed resolutions rejecting the ordination of women, reflecting its theological stance. A Henry Jones organ, opened in 1875, once filled the building with music. A single 5cwt bell cast by Barwell in 1870 still rings from the tower. The interior retains fittings from the 19th century, including stained glass and carved woodwork. Visitors enter a nave of five bays under a steeply pitched roof. The aisles are separated by pointed arches resting on polished columns. At the west end the Henry Jones organ case remains in place, though the instrument itself has been removed. The east window shows early Gothic Revival patterns in red and blue. Outside, the churchyard is bordered by mature lime and plane trees, giving the site a quiet, sheltered feel.