Birmingham Cathedral Commissions Ambitious New Nativity Set

Birmingham Cathedral has commissioned a new nativity set that speaks into its mission and ministry and the city that it serves.

After an Open Call to artists, four designs were chosen for further work and the Chapter has just announced that Birmingham artist Melanie Tomlinson’s proposal will go forward.

The nativity set will be life-sized and draws upon the traditional crafts and industries of Birmingham including mother of pearl which is also manufactured in Bethlehem

Birmingham’s Canon Missioner, Andy Delmege, said,

‘Birmingham Cathedral is delighted to have commissioned Melanie Tomlinson to create an ambitious and beautiful new Nativity Set for the cathedral.  

‘The Nativity will draw on how the stories of the birth of Jesus inform the life of our city, with a focus on homelessness, refugees, and the environment. 

‘It will challenge people from this super-diverse city to see themselves in the face of Jesus.  

‘And it draws upon the traditional manufacturing processes of the region including nacre, the only thing to be made both in Birmingham and Bethlehem.

‘We want the Nativity to belong to Birmingham,’ he added.

There will be a series of nativity workshops with the artist to help inform the nativity set.

One such workshop went ahead last month with adults from the cathedral community – including some refugees – who together explored the meaning of displacement.

This hands-on creative session invited participants to explore flowers and plants of the Holy Land and its surrounding regions. Using copper and other metals, attendees carefully embossed and decorated intricate shapes of native plants and flowers.

These pieces will become part of the unique, commissioned Nativity commission—adding both personal touch and symbolic depth to this special project.

There will be free workshops for children and families on Tuesday 5th August and Thursday 7th August and more workshops for adults from the cathedral community on Saturday 12 July.

Ticket booking will open from 2 June on the website.

Birmingham Cathedral is very grateful to the Westhill Endowment and to the Birmingham Municipal Charity for generous funding.

It is planned that the New Nativity will be in the cathedral from Advent Sunday 30th November, 2025.

Can you help?

Fundraising is ongoing so the artist can include animal figures in the nativity.

If you are interested in donating, please contact Canon Andy at enquiries@birminghamcathedral.com.