Christ Church occupies a site next to Pershore Road, one of Birmingham's main arterial routes. It is passed by thousands of road users and pedestrians each day, and is the most visible sign of our presence in the local area.

Building for the community

Our current building, opened in 2008, provides a valuable resource to an area that is relatively lacking in community facilities. It enables us to continue a decades-old tradition of hosting just about every kind of social occasion, from parties and wedding receptions to sports and fitness.

Many of the events we arrange are specifically intended for the benefit of the wider community. The Friday Coffee morning began as part of a series of special events to launch the new building when it opened, but proved so popular that it now runs every week from 10.30 am to noon during school term-time.

Runners head along Pershore Road past our building with spectators by the roadside and on the church steps

Runners in the 2009 Birmingham Half-Marathon pass our building while the spectators cheer them on. The building was open for refreshments and other "facilities" on the morning of the race.

Keeping in touch

A priority in recent years has been to inform local residents about the church and its activities. When the new parish was created an introductory leaflet was delivered to every household. We also deliver invitiations to special events such as Easter and Christmas services, and have delivered regular newsletters to inform local residents about the Building Project. This website is another important way of explaining who we are and what we do.

Spreading the word

From its earliest days, the Christian Church has sought to spread the message of what it believes - centred on Jesus' death and resurrection. Imperfect though we are, we aim to demonstrate by our lives and actions that being a Christian makes a real difference today.

All our public events are intended to be accessible to anyone, whether or not they regard themselves as committed Christians. We aim to provide time and space for everyone to explore what Christianity means and how it works out in our lives.

Front page of a church publicity leaflet

Introducing ourselves

Getting involved

Many of our members are active in voluntary organisations such as the the local Residents' Forum, or serve as school governors or in similar capacities.

Helen Tomblin holding a glass of wine and a sandwich

Helen in a quieter moment at the Laughing Sole Comedy Club. She has got to know many of the regulars in the audience, and also enjoys chatting with the performers: "Many of them are actually pleased that they don't have to pack their act with four-letter words, but can concentrate on making people laugh"

My story: Helen's house of humour

"I woke up in the night and the idea just came to me. What if I were to start a comedy club that would get real laughs and help build community?"

Helen Tomblin has always loved comedy - so much so that she enrolled in a course in stand-up. "I was going to a comedy club every week," she explained, "but was put off by the amount of swearing, which just didn't seem necessary for a good joke."

Helen's local pub, the British Oak in Stirchley, were happy to provide a venue. As for a compère... who better than the tutor of her stand-up course, one of Birmingham's most popular comedians, Barbara Nice.

The Laughing Sole Comedy Club was launched in February 2007, to a storm of media interest. It continues to play to packed houses every two months.

In her day job Helen is employed by the Diocese of Birmingham, and was formerly the youth worker here at Christ Church. "I'm always looking for new ways of putting Christian values into action," she says. "The Laughing Sole's Christian ethos is what sets it apart and gives it its sense of community."

Local church links

Christ Church is a member of the Connected group of local churches. We hold a joint service or other public event at least twice a year, and seek to support each other as fellow Christians at all times.

We established and strengthened many links with our friends and neighbours while our site was redeveloped between September 2006 and February 2008. We are especially grateful to the Vicar and members of the Church of the Ascension, Stirchley, for their hospitality. We held our Sunday services in their beautiful building during this period.

Christ Church, the Church of the Ascension and other neighbouring Anglican parishes are grouped together within Moseley Deanery which, in turn, forms part of the Diocese of Birmingham.

Other "Connected" churches...

Selly Oak Elim Church
Exeter Road
Selly Park Baptist Church
Pershore Road
Stirchley Community Church
Hazelwell Street