A safe space for all – celebrating the history of the Multifaith Chaplaincy

Almost half (47%) the University of Birmingham’s current student body have a religious affiliation. But as well as offering an inclusive place of spiritual community for those of faith, the University’s Multifaith Chaplaincy in St Francis Hall has also become a welcome retreat for all students and staff seeking a quiet, yet atmospheric and inspiring, space for time out or study.

For 88 years, the Chaplaincy has offered anyone at the University a place of safety, comfort and guidance through transformative world events, such as World War II, the Cold War years, recessions and pandemics, as well as personal crises of faith. A dive into the archives and historical documents compiled by Student EDI Officer Alex Ferranti as part of our 125th anniversary celebrations has revealed an intriguing backstory of a building and community right at the heart of the University.

A potted history

Until the mid-19th century, England’s universities were dominated by Oxford and Cambridge, with most colleges rooted in religion and led by Anglican chaplains. But the Industrial Revolution and the Great Exhibition of 1851 sparked change, establishing new institutions like Birmingham, which were based upon secular charters, open to all and shaped by local communities and benefactors. One such figure was Birmingham businessman and philanthropist Edward Cadbury, who in 1935 pledged to support the University of Birmingham’s religious life by funding a new building.

Two years later, St Francis Hall opened beside the Guild of Students, designed by architect Holland Hobbiss to blend with the University’s main Guild building and of the nearby King Edward VI Schools which he had also designed. Unique among modern universities, it was gifted outright to the University but placed under the care of the Student Christian Movement.

From the start, St Francis Hall aimed to welcome all faiths, though at first tended to reflect mainly a broad Christian tradition. The chaplaincy began with a single Guild-employed chaplain, later joined in 1969 by a Free Church chaplain as the student body grew. Because they were employed by students, not the University, chaplains were deeply woven into campus life, with influence extending beyond conventionally “religious” bounds.

Remarkably, students themselves helped fund the Hall through weekly service donations and, although donations are no longer taken during services, the antique collection plate is still on display today.

BBC broadcasts and betrothals

Over the years, the Chaplaincy has played some surprising roles in University life. During the mid-1950s, the St Francis Hall Chaplain delivered a series of evening services which were broadcast by the BBC. In return for bringing the student voice of faith to national audiences, the corporation paid the Chaplaincy the handsome fee of £13.13 for each date of broadcasting.

During the swinging 1960s, love was in the air and St Francis Hall became licensed for the solemnisation of marriages on 10 February 1966. The very first wedding joined Chatpridi Chattrabhuti and Margaret Dixon in holy matrimony and took place just over a month after St Francis’ Hall’s licence was granted –19 March 1966. It appeared to begin quite the nuptial trend and, on average, one wedding per month was held in the hall throughout the remainder of the decade.

University co-creation at its best

Today, the Chaplaincy is a thriving multifaith centre, with 14 chaplains - three designated as Full Time (Anglican, Methodist, Orthodox Jewish) and the remainder Part Time. Although each is aligned with a particular religion or denomination (including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam; and Judaism) the chaplains contribute to the wellbeing support of all staff and students of any religion or none. They play a key role in developing student community and providing a safe space for anyone in need of a listening ear.

Chair of Chaplaincy, Professor Elaine Fulton said: “We’re very privileged at the University of Birmingham to have such a large number of chaplains. The University doesn’t employ any of them directly: we are gifted their time by their sending body, such as the Church or mosque. Without this generosity from all involved, we would not have the range of wonderful chaplains we do, which would be an incredible shame given the positive impact they have on our diverse campus community.”

Rabbi Fishel Cohen was appointed as a Jewish chaplain in 1984 and – now 40 years into the role – is the University’s longest serving chaplain. He recalls: “In all honesty, when this role came up in the 1980s, it was very new to the Jewish community and was seen as something you would maybe do for two or three years before moving on. What was unique about the process was how involved the students were in approving the chaplains. Several candidates were interviewed and then the student panel provided their recommendations for the Chief Rabbi to make his decision.

“Not long after being selected and taking up the position, I began to see what an important role University Chaplain is in its own right. When people come to university, they are at an age of developing their personalities and their faith, so to be a part of these crucial years is very rewarding. For many students, this can be a challenging time. It is a pivotal moment in developing from a dependent child into an independent adult and it’s a privilege for me to be a part of that journey.”

The Chaplaincy is one of the strongest ongoing examples of co-creation between the University, its staff and the students. This bond is consistently reinforced by the various collaborations between the Chaplaincy and Student Faith Societies of which there are many, covering a very wide range of faiths and denominations. All societies can apply for the Multi-Faith Events and Activities Grant to receive support with initiatives. During last year’s Ramadan, the Islamic Society (ISOC) used the support to help them provide around 10,000 free meals to students through daily iftars. They also hosted a Grand Community Iftar in the University’s Great Hall in March.

The Sikh Society hosts an annual Langar On Campus event, which brings the Sikh tradition of a Langar kitchen to the heart of campus offering free vegetarian and vegan food to the University community. The Sikh society celebrated their 21st year of Langar On Campus in 2025 feeding more than 1500 students and staff alongside awareness raising of Sikh traditions and history. The Christian Union, for as long as there has been a Fab N Fresh at the Guild of Students, have been supporting students by distributing free bottles of water every Wednesday and Friday night (along with the occasional biscuits and flip-flops) in the early hours after a busy club night.

There are many more such examples of student faith societies contributing to the fabric of University life, including the Hindu Society’s organisation of an annual Holi Celebration, or the Jewish Society’s (JSOC) hosting of a Friday night dinner. However, perhaps most important is the mainstay of each society: their regular meetings on and off campus where they celebrate their faith, encourage and support each other and benefit from a valuable network for friend-making. Fourth-year pharmacy student Aminah Faisal was co-president of ISOC last year. She said: “I don’t think uni life would be the same if the Chaplaincy didn’t exist. Without having a supportive network like this bringing everyone together, daily life would be a very different experience and very lonely for a lot of people. Even for students who aren’t believers, there’s a place to go and a service which supports everybody.”

Indeed, St Francis Hall has gained a reputation around campus as a hidden gem for those seeking a welcoming space for quiet study or relaxation time. Elaine says: “There is something about St Francis Hall. It’s difficult to articulate but it just has a special quality. Students who find it will often make it a second home as it has everything they need including tea and coffee making facilities and a lovely ambiance. We even have a piano donated by the Beswetherick family in memory of their beloved son Olly, an alumni of the University, which has made a real positive impact to the lives and wellbeing of many of our students particularly those used to having a piano in the family home but who are missing its presence during term times spent in student accommodation. It’s beautiful to wander in and hear someone playing a melody out of nowhere and I would encourage anyone passing to step inside and take a look for themselves.”

A pivotal moment

Today the University of Birmingham Chaplaincy is at a pivotal moment in its history with the recent completion of an internal review that looks to build on the existing community and outreach, making it even more accessible and visible in the University.

Professor Elaine Fulton explained: “This is an exciting new time in the history of the Chaplaincy, as we review all the things that are amazing about its past and present functions, but also look forward to a more integrated, more diverse and more outward-facing future where more staff and students know where we are and what we do.”

Rabbi Cohen added: “I think students need services like multifaith chaplaincies now more than ever. Society is a multi-faith society so celebrating and providing for all students is central to the University’s ethos. The message of chaplaincy is very important to the University community - we’re not just here to provide religious instruction as was traditionally the case. The chaplaincy provides a safe space for all.”