On Saturday 25 July the Most Rev. Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, celebrated a Solemn Pontifical Mass at St James’s, Spanish Place, to mark the parish’s patron feast day in the year of the new church’s 125th anniversary.

The parish, renowned for its music, sung pieces composed by Elgar, Mozart and Bach amongst others during the Mass. Particularly striking was Elgar’s Ecce sacerdos magnus, sung following Archbishop Bernard’s solemn reception into the parish.

Speaking after the Mass the Rector of the parish, Fr Christopher Colven, said: ‘We are very grateful for all those who travelled to visit us for our Feast of Title on Saturday and all who made the occasion so joyful and grace-filled. It is always fun to meet new friends and reacquaint ourselves with old friends. We hope to see you all again on 29 September for our Anniversary Mass’.

The Anniversary Mass will be celebrated by The Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela, His Excellency Julián Barrio Barrio.