BIRMINGHAM, Work is set to begin this week on what will become Britain’s largest Christian monument, following the successful completion of a £40 million fundraising campaign supported by donors from around the world.
The Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, located between the M6 and M42 in Coleshill, near Birmingham, will stand 51 metres tall in the form of a Möbius strip — a continuous loop representing infinity and unity. The landmark will be more than twice the height of the Angel of the North and is designed to become a national symbol of faith, hope, and heritage.
Each of the monument’s one million bricks will be digitally linked to a unique story of an “answered prayer,” accessible to visitors through smartphone technology. Organisers expect the completed structure to draw around 250,000 visitors annually once it opens to the public in 2028.
A Vision Two Decades in the Making
The project is the vision of Richard Gamble, former Leicester City chaplain, who first conceived the idea more than 20 years ago after what he describes as a divine calling to build a national landmark celebrating faith.
“I am delighted we are creating a monument that will share a million stories of hope and that people will be able to discover Jesus, who listens to and answers prayer,” Mr Gamble said. “We have faced many delays and challenges. I believe the timing is perfect.
“Everyone at Eternal Wall is deeply grateful to the thousands of people who have backed this project according to their ability – for every pound donated, every hour volunteered, and every prayer offered to bring us to this point.
“This is the moment to build a landmark of hope… a lasting testimony to the power of prayer, preserving the Christian heritage in our nation.”
A ground-breaking ceremony will take place on Wednesday, 5 November, marking the start of construction on the 10-acre site. More than 20,000 supporters have contributed to the project through donations and volunteering efforts.
A Monument Designed for Reflection and Connection
Eternal Wall’s prominent location means it will be visible to motorists on major motorways, HS2 passengers, and those landing at Birmingham Airport. The design aims to inspire contemplation and offer a physical space for people to reflect on faith and resilience.
The development includes landscaped green space, walking routes, and a later-phase plan for a visitor centre and conference facility. The project’s organisers said about £5.7 million is still required to make the entire site fully operational, covering the costs of the visitor centre, car park, and landscaping.
Construction will be led by VSL, the appointed contractor, while the design was created by Snug Architects, an award-winning firm selected through a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) competition.
Backed by Major Donors
The land for the project was donated by IM Properties, the Midlands-based development company owned by Lord Edmiston, who has also provided a significant financial contribution towards the build.
“Eternal Wall is designed to remind our nation, and people everywhere, of God’s goodness,” Lord Edmiston said.
“It is a testament to present and future generations of the creator of the universe who has answered numerous prayers over centuries past and still is answering them today.
“If we don’t remember the God who stood by us in our darkest hours as a nation, then we are condemned to have a future absent of his divine guidance and protection. I am therefore proud that my company has had the opportunity of being a significant donor to this project.”
Global Reach and Digital Connection
To date, more than 120,000 answered prayers have been submitted or pledged from 125 countries, with organisers targeting 250,000 stories for the official opening in 2028. The testimonies include accounts of healing, marriage reconciliation, financial breakthrough, and recovery from addiction.
Visitors will be able to scan individual bricks via mobile devices to read each story of answered prayer, making the Eternal Wall one of the world’s first digitally interactive faith monuments.
The project’s backers believe it will not only serve as a centre of Christian reflection but also become an architectural and cultural landmark symbolising hope and resilience amid challenging global times.
A Landmark of Hope
For Gamble and his team, the start of construction represents the culmination of years of preparation and community effort.
“After more than two decades since the original vision, and a decade of planning and fundraising, we’re finally breaking ground,” he said. “This isn’t just about architecture — it’s about inspiring future generations with a message of faith and perseverance.”
The Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer is expected to open to the public in 2028.
Further details are available at www.eternalwall.org.uk.
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