Faith in the Future in Balsall Heath

The Garden at Birmingham Buddhist Centre

With over 60 different Faith Centres across Balsall Heath, and many more either demolished or changed purpose, there are lots of places to visit. For Balsall Heath Community Festival Faith Trail, #BHCFest26, we were welcomed into Al Abbas Islamic Centre, Balsall Heath Church Centre, Birmingham Buddhist Centre, Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara Ss John and Martin Catholic Church.

Faith Trail 2026

Over three days (6th to 8th July) over 100 visitors have been warmly welcomed into our local Faith Centres. Stepping out of the sun and into new, cool, brilliant spaces on our doorstep – meeting our neighbours – we were embraced by everyone who opened their doors to the heart of their community. There is nothing that can replace spending time, sharing food, meeting face-to-face to ask questions and find common ground.

Our Visits in Photos

Exploring The Carnival at Balsall heath Church Centre
Exploring The Carnival at Balsall heath Church Centre
The Imam Husayn Shrine (Arabic: مَقَام الإِمَامُ الْحُسَيْن اِبِنْ عَلي, romanized: Maqām al-ʾImām al-Ḥusayn ʾibn ʿAlī) is the mausoleum of Husayn ibn Ali, located in the holy city of Karbala, in the Karbala Governorate of Iraq.
‘…and this is the mausoleum of Imam Hussein’s brother Abbas. He was also killed in the Battle for Karbala’ Al-Abbas Shrine is also in Karbala (Arabic: حَرَم أَبا الْفَضْل الْعَبَّاس
Outside Guru Gob Singh Gurdwara, the first Gurdwara in Birmingham and second oldest in the UK.
Outside Guru Gob Singh Gurdwara, the first Gurdwara in Birmingham and second oldest in the UK.
SS John and Martin Balsall Heath Carnival display in the Church Hall
SS John and Martin Balsall Heath Carnival display in the Church Hall
'The model of the new Mosque, which is being built. And as I said that, Goodwilling, it will be ready in 12 to 15 months.'
‘The model of the new Mosque, which is being built. And as I said that, Goodwilling, it will be ready in 12 to 15 months…The dome which you see here, beneath that is the place of worship and then the first floor would be for the ladies.’
Finding yourself and your family in our catalogue of photos from the Carnival
Finding yourself and your family in our catalogue of photos from the Carnival
Toqueer outside the new Al Abbas Mosque to open soon
Toqueer outside the new Al Abbas Mosque to open soon
Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara
Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara
Mauseleum
‘This is a replica of the Imam Husayn Shrine (Arabic: مَقَام الإِمَامُ الْحُسَيْن اِبِنْ عَلي, The mausoleum of Husayn ibn Ali, located in the holy city of Karbala Iraq.’
Main Altar at Birmingham Buddhist Centre
Main Altar at Birmingham Buddhist Centre
The Garden at Birmingham Buddhist Centre
The Garden at Birmingham Buddhist Centre
Al Abbas new mosque
Al Abbas new mosque
Sharing Food at Al Abbas Mosque
Sharing Food at Al Abbas Mosque
Making friends at Al Abbas Mosque
Making friends at Al Abbas Mosque
Meeting at the Gurdwara for a meal
Sharing food at the Gurdwara

Faith in the Future

‘We’re less than ten doors away, and this is the first time we’ve met! We need to be closer and work together for all our sakes.’

At every visit it was clear that we need to keep working together across faiths to meet the challenges of the future. The Faith Trail for many was an introduction, a meeting, breaking bread together. At every visit we came away with plans for the future. We share so much common ground and you couldn’t help be excited to see how quickly first meetings were leading to plans for future sharing and support across Balsall Heath.

Mapping our Community

Home 3
Opened in 1980. Balsall Heath Community Church is a community venue and home to St Paul’s Church, the Church of Christ, as well as providing a day centre for the elderly together with some sheltered accommodation.