The Diocese of Birmingham covers the city of Birmingham and Solihull with around 180 parishes. The diocese was created in 1905 from the old Worcester diocese, reflecting the industrial growth of Birmingham. Bishop Michael Volland is one of the youngest CofE diocesan bishops.
The Diocese of Birmingham at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Michael Volland
- Coverage
- City of Birmingham, parts of West Midlands and southern Staffordshire
- Parishes
- ~180 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Glyn Samuel
- Capital programme
- Birmingham Diocese Carbon Reduction Plan
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £22,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Birmingham Cathedral (St Philip, Baroque parish church elevated to cathedral 1905)
- St Martin in the Bull Ring
- Pugin's St Chad's RC Cathedral (England's first post-Reformation Catholic cathedral, 1841)
- Edgbaston Old Church
- St Mary's Handsworth
Funding stack for Birmingham parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Birmingham combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Diocese Carbon Reduction Plan | Up to £22,000 | 35-55% |
| Buildings for Mission (CofE national) | £10,000-£50,000 | 40-60% |
| Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme | 20% of capex | 20% |
| WMCA business decarbonisation grants | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Birmingham
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Birmingham, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Glyn Samuel, 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 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
We deliver across the City of Birmingham, parts of West Midlands and southern Staffordshire footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Birmingham parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Birmingham, 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 Diocese Carbon Reduction Plan, 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 parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Birmingham have?
Approximately 180 parishes across City of Birmingham, parts of West Midlands and southern Staffordshire.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Birmingham?
Glyn Samuel grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Birmingham 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 parish solar?
The principal route is the Birmingham Diocese Carbon Reduction Plan, 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?
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.