The Broad Street Presbyterian Church (Now 'Popworld') - Classic Architecture

The Broad Street Presbyterian Church was built from 1848 to 1849. By 1929 it became the Second Church of Christ Scientist. Now a nightclub, it was Flares but now Popworld.


Where is Popworld?

Popworld is at 55 Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2HJ. On the corner with Oozells Street, near Brindleyplace.

 

In brief

The Broad Street Presbyterian Church opened in 1849 by the architect J R Botham. By 1914 the church was not doing well, but by 1929 was taken over by the Second Church of Christ Scientist. It is now a nightclub near Brindleyplace. A Grade II listed building sine 1980. It was Flares until 2013, but has been a Popworld since 2014.

Popworld Broad StreetPopworld, Broad Street (April 2022). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

New Presbyterian Church - prints

Here is a couple of prints from the 19th century from the Birmingham Museums Trust Digital Image Resource. Creative Commons 0, Public Domain, free to download.

 

1996V148.72 Engraving - New Presbyterian Church, Broad Street, Birmingham Wilkinson Collection, Vol I

Presbyterian Church 1996V148.72 New Presbyterian Church, Broad Street, Birmingham. Courtesy of the Birmingham Museums Trust

 

1996V148.74 Engraving - New Presbyterian Church, Broad Street, Birmingham Wilkinson Collection, Vol I Engraver: A B Johnson

Presbyterian Church1996V148.74 New Presbyterian Church, Broad St, Birmingham. Courtesy of the Birmingham Museums Trust

 

The former Presbyterian Church - history

Originally a Presbyterian church built from 1848-49 by J R Botham of Birmingham.

FlaresFlares, Broad Street (December 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Built of blue brick with stone dressings.

FlaresFlares, Broad Street (December 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The foundation stone laid on 24th July 1848 by Charles Cowan MP.

By the early 20th century, the church was not doing well and in 1914 was a proposal to turn it into a cinema.

By 1929, the building was bought by the Second Church of Christ Scientist.

FlaresFlares, Broad Street from Oozells Street (June 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It has been a Grade II listed building since 1980.

Flares, Broad Street from Oozells Street (May 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Since it closed it has operated as a nightclub, since at least the late 1990s, the first nightclub was called The Church.

During the 2000s until around 2013-14 it was Flares.

PopworldPopworld, Broad Street (April 2022). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

But since 2014-15 it has been Popworld.
PopworldPopworld, Broad Street (April 2022). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

Popworld is next to the X Brindleyplace  (9 and 10 Brindleyplace) development and the Westside Metro extension, that opened towards Five Ways and Hagley Road in July 2022.

X BrindleyplacePopworld, Broad Street from Library of Birmingham (January 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It is a remarkable survival on Broad Street, next to Brindleyplace and the Westside Metro extension.

PopworldPopworld from Broad Street (February 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

About Popworld

They are Broad Street's, biggest party destination.

Popworld
Popworld, Broad Street from Berkley Street (September 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Join them as they play the biggest pop tunes from the 90's, 00's and now.

Celebrating something special? Get in contact with them to book their fabulous party packages to celebrate in style!

PopworldPopworld, Broad Street (October 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Contact details

Popworld Birmingham

55 Broad Street

Birmingham,

B1 2HJ

0121 616 2957

popworld.birmingham@stonegategroup.co.uk

Project dates

27 Sep 2022 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Classic Architecture, Faith

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com