Have your say on how St Paul’s Church develops next: 

Survey asks JQ residents and businesses what they want from the church in its role as a community hub

The Jewellery Quarter’s St. Paul’s Church wants to know what residents and businesses want from the church as a community hub. The church is today commencing a survey and is asking as many people as possible to complete the survey.

The survey is online here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/StPauls-Church-Survey 

The survey is best completed using Google Chrome or Firefox as the browser. Alternatively, to request a copy of the survey you can telephone 07966 378844 or you can email david.kidney@stpaulsjq.church 

A new fundraising effort aims to raise £250,000 for the church’s 250th birthday. It all starts with a fete on the August Bank Holiday Monday 30th August. There will be music, dance, food and craft stalls as well as the official launch of the fundraising. It will be possible to complete the survey on the day of the fete.

Money is needed to mend the church’s leaky roof, update the church’s interior for more community use and help advance the church’s role as a community hub. In order to guide the church’s development people are being asked to state their views on what is most important to them about the church and St Paul’s Square. The church’s future plans will be guided by the survey responses it receives.

Rev David Tomlinson says this is everyone’s opportunity to shape how their church survives and develops in the years ahead: “St Paul’s Church has been at the centre of life in the Jewellery Quarter for generations. Now, as the church approaches its 250th birthday, it falls to us to care for our church building, and to make it fit for us in 21st century. 

“The host community, inspired by faith, has already made it a home for a wide range of community activities, including concerts, educational events, and art exhibitions. 

“St Paul’s Church has a seating capacity of nearly 400 and is blessed with one of the finest acoustics in the West Midlands. The churchyard, green space and Square – the JQ’s “village green” - offer a generous space for social gatherings, performance and hospitality.

“The church is a Grade I listed building, with all the additional responsibilities for maintenance and repair that this entails. It is an iconic landmark, set in the beautiful St Paul’s Square, its spire visible from the City Centre and for miles around. It is home to a wide range of faith-based activities, providing shelter, hope and support to all-comers. 

“Now we want to work with our community to decide how to develop these activities – and perhaps add to them.

Everyone’s views will be valuable so do please complete our survey.”

The survey is open for completion now and until 30 September 2021.