The New Buddhist Temple Maha Vihara was opened at Hockley Circus (Handsworth) on Saturday/Sunday 16th & 17th September.  It is the largest Buddhist Temple in Europe and has been ten years in the making.

The Sisters of Mercy from St Mary’s were invited to attend and were entertained to a gala performance of drum music, dancing, the speeches of many dignitaries and food.


Buddhism, founded 500 years before Christianity, is the fourth biggest world religion.  They search for truth by avoiding all evil and strive to do good, to reach the state of perfection or NIRVANA

They abstain from:
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• harming all living beings
• stealing
• sexual misconduct
• false speech
• intoxicating substances

Birmingham is known as ‘City of Faiths’. 
We, at St Mary’s, have fostered good relations with all, over the years.  Because of the nature of the day, we saw nothing of ‘chanting monks’ and quiet meditation.  Another visit is called for in the near future.

Following what has become our usual tradition, St Mary’s registered to take part in Birmingham Heritage Week and the national Heritage Open Days, choosing to open our doors on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th September.  Over those two days, Sister Kathleen Gooch and Archivist Jenny Smith guided over forty people on pre-booked heritage tours of the convent.

Sister Noreen also facilitated a group from the ‘Places of Worship Heritage Trail’ who heard the story and were shown some of the significant parts of the convent.
In addition, Sian Campbell, Heritage Officer for Legacy West Midlands also brought a group of 15 people for a convent tour as part of the ‘Irish Roots of Handsworth’ walking tour.
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It was wonderful to share St Mary’s in this way, and to see the reaction of people  -many of them local – to this beautiful building and its story.

In July we welcomed the Places of Worship Pilgrimage group for a short tour and reflection time.  Here, Canon Dr Andrew Smith gives an account of the visit. 

Handsworth is known as an area of religious diversity, and the stories of the places of worship and who worships there tell us a lot about the area and how it has changed. We have developed a Heritage Trail around the area that looks at Handsworth and Lozells through the perspective of places of worship. In July 12 of us walked the trial as an act of pilgrimage, taking time to pause, reflect and look for signs of God and godliness in the area. As people of different faiths, we were inspired by the stories we encountered and the hospitality we received. We ended our visit at St Mary’s Convent where we were warmly welcomed. For many of us it was our first visit and were struck by the beauty of the building and the history of worship and service of the nuns. We were able to spend time in the garden in peaceful reflection at the end of our day, thankful for all we had seen, heard and learnt on our pilgrimage. 

Canon Dr Andrew Smith
Director of Interfaith Relations for the Bishop of Birmingham