Some building placed on Corporation street always got my attention. And as it is part of daily journey back home, it’s great to spot more and more particularities about them all.
I guess I also have a thing for terracotta ones. Methodist Central Hall is the one that fascinates me most. Not just for its distinctive features and impressive tower but also the history of this fantastic Grade II listed building located in the opposite of Magistrates Court.
Having the opportunity to visit inside it through a Hidden Places Birmingham event was just perfect opportunity to also walk inside its history.
To start with, it’s absolutely huge. Built in 1903 by Ewan Harper & James A. Harper, the space was a respectful congregation used to keep the good souls out of the devil of alcohol until early 80’s.
Some building placed on Corporation street always got my attention. And as it is part of daily journey back home, it’s great to spot more and more particularities about them all.
I guess I also have a thing for terracotta ones. Methodist Central Hall is the one that fascinate me most. Not just for its distinctive features and impressive tower but also the history of this fantastic Grade II listed building.
Having the opportunity to visit inside it through a Hidden Places Brum event was just perfect opportunity to also walk inside its history.
To start with, it’s absolutely huge. Built in 1903 by Ewan Harper & James A. Harper, the space was a respectful congregation used to keep the good souls out of the devil of alcohol until early 80’s.
Pretty ironic to say the same venue would become a very famous night club in 1991. Since its closure in 2002, the building has remained empty until open as Q Club again in 2007.
The state of the building remains the same, looking a bit scruffy and battered.
Just having a look inside it that it’s possible to get a gist how days of praise used to work when it was a church and the vibrant nights use to end up as a night club.
It’s a magnificent venue! The narrow corridors seem like labyrinth that leads you to more empty rooms or spaces fulfilled with some old furniture.
I love the big stained glass windows. Some of them need some TLC. But they also fit part of the scenery perfectly.
The altar is where you can get the best view from the whole arena. And to complete it there is what it looks like an organ still left next the choir area.
The architecture that survived the time from a past worship hall features ornate columns floor to ceiling also (almost) intact.
And seats that reminds me the vintage French art décor ones used in some cinemas in the past. Something intriguing about that was not having a linear pattern in the numeration of those seats.
A single row can follow a complex numeration of seats like 67, 45, 89, 19. Really funny though. Is there any explanation for it?
Pretty ironic to say the same venue would become a very famous night club in 1991. Since its closure in 2002, the building has remained empty until open as Q Club again in 2007.
The state of the building remains the same looking a bit scruffy and battered.
Inside the building it’s possible to imagine how the praise days used to work and the sassy nights used to end up. It’s magnificent. The narrow corridors seem like labyrinth that leads you to more empty rooms or spaces fulfilled with some old furniture.
I love the big stained glass windows. Some of them need some TLC. But they also fit part of the scenery perfectly. The altar is where you can get the best view from the whole arena. And to complete it there is what it looks like an organ still left next the choir area.
The architecture that survived the time from a past worship hall features ornate columns floor to ceiling also (almost) intact.
And seats that reminds me the vintage French art décor ones used in some cinemas in the past. Something intriguing about that was not having a linear pattern in the numeration of those seats.
A single row can follow a complex numeration of seats like 67, 45, 89, 19. Really funny though. Is there any explanation for it?
The floor is a bit sticky and it’s a proof how venue is still going strong. It’s a historical building that is part of heritage of Birmingham. I just hope it keep preserved for long time.
Source | Birmingham History
