Birmingham's Hidden Spaces: A look around St Martin's Church (September 2015)

It was September 2015 and Birmingham Heritage Week. Mainly popped into St Martin's Church at the Bullring for The Big Hoot's Little Hoot, but also got these shots. May have also been to do with Birmingham's Hidden Spaces. The visit on the 12th September 2015. Stained glass windows, the Alabaster Tomb and more!

The main reason for this visit was at the time there was various small painted owls inside of St Martin's Church that were part of The Big Hoot's Little Hoot. The trail accompanying The Big Hoot Birmingham 2015 trail. July to September 2015. So this was before the owls were removed and auctioned off for charity.

Here though we will look around the church from the inside.

First look at a pair of stained glass windows. One of these was designed by Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris (the window in the south transept).

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The next stained glass window close to several memorials on the wall.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The walls around this stained glass window came out dark.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This stained glass window above some stone scultural details.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A bunch of pink flowers with a fan behind (elephant on it). Below is a weaved basket holding the flowers. With white flowers seen below.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (5A).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This is The Alabaster Tomb.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This is an effigy of Sir John de Bermingham, probably early 15th century. Sir John was a knight who fought in the wars of France from 1373 until his death in 1393. Close inspection of this tomb reveals tiny patches of ancient colouring on the sword belt and on the coat of mail.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Close up of Sir John de Birmingham. Still looking like a Knight after 630 years.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The organ pipes.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

WW1 war memorial (1914 - 1918). For the fallen of The Royal Warwickshire Regiment. either side was a pair of Little Hoot owls. Tawney on the left (by King Edward VI Five Ways School), and When I Grow Up on the right (by King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys).

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Stone arches holding up the left side of the church.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Interesting looking carved wooden details towards the wooden doors with glass windows.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Plaque on the wall. On Wednesday 23rd March 1887 the St Martin's Society of Change Ringers rung the bells on the visit of Her Majesty Queen Victoria on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the Victoria Law Courts (on Corporation Street). The Mayor of Birmingham at the time was Thomas Martineau.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In this room was this centre table with lit candles. You can see that plaque behind.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (14).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This wooden carved entrance ways leading to a modern revolving door.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (15).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The wooden arched ceiling. Holding up both walls of the church.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (16).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Some art on this wall. Looks like ghostly crosses to me.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (17).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This leads to the churches cafe. Never been in myself. Was probably rebuilt in the early 2000s when the modern Bullring was built.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (18).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A waterfall on these metal table things.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (19).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Another bunch of flowers on a curvy yellow and orange base. Near the metal waterfall thing. And one of The Little Hoot owls.

dndimg alt="St Martin's Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martin in the Bullring interiors (Sept 2015) (20).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.