On 17 February 1888, Dr. Ilsley became the second Bishop of Birmingham, and at once took in hand the difficult task of protecting and rescuing the destitute Catholic children of the diocese.

In July, 1889, Oscott College was closed to lay students and reopened as a Central Seminary for ecclesiastics only.

One notable and controversial change of policy was made by Edward Ilsley almost immediately after he succeeded Ullathorne.

Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School in Acocks Green, Birmingham, which uses his coat of arms (five golden birds around a golden floriated cross on a blue shield, derived from that of St Edward the Confessor) as their school badge.

[1] Mary McInally authored a book which traces his life from childhood through both positions in the clergy, to his death in 1926