Where is Olton Friary?
Olton Friary is at The Friary, St Bernard's Road, Olton, Solihull, B92 7BL
In brief
The Church of Holy Ghost and Mary Immaculate was built between 1926 and 1929 for the Order of Capuchin Friars of the Franciscan Monastery of the Immaculate Conception. The site in Olton was acquired around 1871. It was designed by George Bernard Cox. Both buildings here are Grade II listed.
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Olton Friary (September 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
Olton Friary - history
To the rear was the former Birmingham Diocesan theological college, built in 1873, founded by Bishop Ullathorne, designed by Edward Joseph Hansom (1842-1900) of Dunn and Hansom.
The seminary was closed in 1889 and taken over by Capuchin Friars.
Since 1981 the site has been occupied by the Society of the Sacred Heart of Betharram.
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Olton Friary (September 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
The Roman Catholic church was built closer to St Bernard's Road from 1926 to 1929 to the designs of George Bernard Cox of Harrison and Cox, Birmingham, in a combination of Early-French and Early-English Gothic styles, and built for the Order of Capuchin Friars of the Franciscan Monastery of the Immaculate Conception; part of the original timber nave roof was destroyed by a fire in 1970.
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Olton Friary (September 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
The Olton site was acquired in 1871 by Bishop William Bernard Ullathorne, the seminary was designed by Edward Joseph Hansom and it opened in 1873.
Bishop Edward Ilsley succeeded Ullathorne in 1888.
Then the school moved back to St Mary's College in Oscott.
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Olton Friary (September 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
The organ was installed in the loft in 1932.
The Lady Chapel alter installed in 1939.
A fire in 1970 destroyed part of the nave roof.
It was restored and reopened in 1971.
The Capuchin Friars left in 1981 and the church taken over by the Society of the Sacred Heart of Betharram.
The church was consecrated in 1990.
Both the church and friary have been Grade II listed building's since 2016.
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Olton Friary (September 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
Contact details
Olton Friary
St Bernard's Road
Olton
Solihull
B92 7BL
Phone: 0121 706 0505
Fax: 0121 706 8105