The Archdiocese of Birmingham is the largest Catholic diocese in England by area — covering West Midlands, parts of Oxfordshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire with around 230 parishes. St Chad's Cathedral Birmingham (Pugin, 1841) was the first post-Reformation Catholic cathedral built in England.
The Diocese of Birmingham (RC) at a glance
- Bishop
- Archbishop Bernard Longley
- Coverage
- West Midlands, parts of Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire
- Parishes
- ~230 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Diocesan finance committee
- Capital programme
- Birmingham Archdiocese Capital and Laudato Si' Fund
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £22,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- St Chad's Cathedral Birmingham (Pugin, 1841 — first post-Reformation English Catholic cathedral)
- St Aloysius Oxford (the Newman parish)
- Birmingham Oratory (Cardinal Newman's foundation)
- St Joseph Burslem Stoke-on-Trent
- Coventry Christ the King RC
Funding stack for Birmingham (RC) parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Birmingham (RC) combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Archdiocese Laudato Si' Capital | Up to £22,000 | 40-60% |
| Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme | 20% of capex | 20% |
| WMCA business decarbonisation grants | Variable | 5-10% |
| Pugin Society heritage support (Pugin-designed churches) | Advisory + variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Birmingham (RC)
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Birmingham (RC), any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Diocesan finance committee, on the advice of the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC). For a well-prepared solar application, the typical timescale from PCC resolution to faculty grant is 10-18 weeks for non-listed and Grade II buildings, extending to 18-26 weeks for Grade II* and Grade I where Historic England consultation is required.
We have prepared faculty applications across the Diocese of Birmingham (RC) and know the DAC office, diocesan architect, and Net Zero Officer personally. See our 2026 PCC guide to faculty jurisdiction for the full process, or our faculty application service page for our delivery approach.
Cities and towns covered in the Diocese of Birmingham (RC)
We deliver across the West Midlands, parts of Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Birmingham (RC) parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Birmingham (RC), PCC-ready report inside 7 working days
- On-site survey — structural and electrical engineers; engagement with diocesan architect
- Faculty application — Statement of Significance, Statement of Needs, DAC consultation, representation at chancery
- Grant applications — Birmingham Archdiocese Capital and Laudato Si' Fund, Buildings for Mission, Listed Places of Worship VAT scheme
- Install and commission — typically 1-3 weeks on site, with full PCC training and monitoring active
- Post-commissioning — Eco Church credit logged, parish magazine feature, annual carbon report
Common questions — Diocese of Birmingham (RC) parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Birmingham (RC) have?
Approximately 230 parishes across West Midlands, parts of Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Birmingham (RC)?
Diocesan finance committee grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Birmingham (RC) has committed to net zero by 2030, in line with (or ahead of) the Church of England's national 2030 General Synod commitment.
What grant funding is available for Birmingham (RC) parish solar?
The principal route is the Birmingham Archdiocese Capital and Laudato Si' Fund, with awards up to £22,000. This combines with national Buildings for Mission grants, the Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme, and charitable trust funding to typically cover 50-100% of capex.
How long does a faculty application take in the Diocese of Birmingham (RC)?
For a well-prepared solar faculty application, 10-18 weeks for non-listed and Grade II buildings; longer for Grade II* and Grade I where Historic England consultation is required.
Related dioceses and resources
RELATED DIOCESES