History Birmingham_Oratory

1 history

1.1 music
1.2 education
1.3 current church

history

the nave of oratory church

newman, founder of oratory, after conversion catholic church seeking way of life live out vocation. in common colleague oxford movement , fellow convert, frederick william faber, had felt drawn way of life of community founded st. philip neri in italy in 16th century. when newman went rome in 1845 become catholic priest, authorised pope pius ix establish community of oratory in england.

returning england in 1847, newman gathered small community of followers wished live life. found home in birmingham @ church of st. anne on alcester street, became first house of oratorian community in england in 1849. more suitable location located in birmingham, , construction begun of residence , church. oratorian community relocated there in 1852. became parish church local area , has served congregation in various ways through decades.

music

the oratory has heritage of promotion of great music in worship. goes founder, st. philip neri, believed in power of music bringing out in people. original oratory in rome 1 of great centres of sacred music city. celebrated singers , composers of day perform there. heritage comes word oratorio. right founding, birmingham oratory has been noted high level of music, due largely active interest of newman himself. parish continues provide services use music of palestrina, william byrd, tomás luis de victoria, haydn, mozart, modern composers.

education

newman founded oratory school there in 1859, catholic alternative eton college. relocated near reading in 1922. in 1887 2 priests of oratory took on existing school intended provide education poor catholic boys of area. became st. philip s school, operated until 1995.

current church

the dome of oratory church

the current church constructed between 1907 , 1910 in baroque style replace original structure memorial newman. designed architect edward doran webb. familiarly called little rome in birmingham.

prior final determination regarding beatification of newman, holy see gave instructions remains transferred oratorian cemetery in west midlands oratory church. marble tomb built not installed in church. when church , civil authorities opened grave in october 2008, however, found no human remains grave.

the grade ii listed church continues serve congregation of oratory there. elsewhere in england, there communities of congregation @ brompton oratory in london , oxford oratory.

in february 2012, church suffered theft of large metal cross roof. loss valued @ £30,000.