Our Lady and St. Brigid

Introduction

Our Lady and Saint Brigid in Northfield, within the Archdiocese of Birmingham, is a stripped Italian Romanesque interwar design by E. Bower Norris.

History

Designs for the church were prepared by E. Bower Norris of Sandy & Norris, Stafford. The foundation stone was laid in 1936. In 1918 a priest was appointed to serve the Longbridge area, and a house at 26 Steel Road was bought and adapted as a Mass centre. In 1931 a combined school-chapel was built on land acquired in 1930 on Frankley Beeches Road, designed by the Rev. Frederick Askew. The sanctuary was reordered in stages after the Second Vatican Council; the altar rails, pulpit and original high altar were removed in 1972 when the present stone altar was installed.

Architecture and furnishings

The church presents a strong external design and a carefully detailed interior featuring flat arcading and decorative metalwork. A bold neo-baroque mural depicting the Resurrection enlivens the sanctuary.

Parish life

The Legion of Mary meets on Friday mornings to pray the Rosary and Legion prayers, and members visit the sick, elderly and housebound of the parish. The Legion, with members of neighbouring parishes, has made door-to-door visits on a newly established housing estate within the parish.

The parish is strengthening its outreach to the poor, homeless, sick, housebound, those with special and neurodiverse needs, and those in prison and their families. Confession is offered twice a week, or upon appointment. The parish remembers those who have died at Mass each day, and those who mourn.

Visiting

The parish priest can be contacted to discuss funeral arrangements. The priest should be contacted before finalising funeral arrangements with the Funeral Director. A photograph of the deceased or mass cards can be placed on a table near the coffin. A family member or friend may speak briefly about the deceased before the Liturgy begins or after the opening greeting.

The reception after the funeral is often the better place for displaying photos and playing popular music liked by the deceased. The Legion leads the Rosary after Mass on Fridays during May and October, and the Stations of the Cross on Fridays during Lent and November. Members of the Legion will pray the Rosary around the coffin when the deceased is received into church the evening before the funeral.