Birmingham Oratory

My husband lived in Birmingham most of his life and used to attend Vespers at the Oratory sometimes after work, so when we were in Brum on a visit, we decided to attend one evening.
Be aware that the service is entirely in Latin. Even so, I would urge a visit, because there is a beauty to the service that is unparalleled. It inspires serenity, as does the architecture.

I used to think that an oratory was where owls live. Yeah, I’m an idiot. Turns out that an oratory is where Roman Catholic priests hang out and do priest stuff, like worship god and pray and other stuff.
This particular oratory was founded by local almost-​Saint John Henry Newman in 1848. He also lived in the house fronting onto Hagley Road from 1852 – 1890.
It is a beautiful complex of buildings that you get appealing glimpses of from the Hagely Road as you approach the city centre. There is a long red brick wall with a pretty archway that leads into the complex. .
The church itself is a domed baroque-​style building built in 1910.
The oratory also has links with local literary legend JRR Tolkein (you read the full story on their website) who worshipped there for several years.