As a Grade II* listed building, St. Mary’s garners recognition for its structural and historical importance. The listing emphasizes its medieval origin, Victorian expansion, and cultural role as a witness to Handsworth’s transformation from countryside to industrial suburb .

 Community Role Through the Ages

For nearly nine centuries, St. Mary’s served as more than a place of worship—it’s been a gathering place for baptisms, marriages, funerals, and civic rites. Its wartime roles, notably serving as a focus for community support during both World Wars, reflect its social centrality.

As the area changed—industrially, demographically, and culturally—the church remained a steadfast anchor of community identity and continuity.

 Twentieth-Century Restoration & Legacy

The latter 19th and early 20th centuries saw significant roofing, restoration, and preservation efforts to stabilize and maintain the ancient fabric.

Throughout liturgical reforms and shifting styles of worship, St. Mary’s has adapted while preserving its medieval core, Victorian additions, and the dedicated tomb monuments that connect it indelibly to the Industrial Revolution. shutdown123