It is the original parish church of Birmingham and stands between the Bull Ring Shopping Centre and the markets.

The church was enlarged in medieval times and the resulting structure consisted of a lofty nave and chancel, north and south aisles and a northwest tower with spire.

Although no record indicates when the first clock appeared in Birmingham, in 1547 the King's Commissioners reported that the Guild of the Holy Cross were responsible "ffor keeping the Clocke and the Chyme" at a cost of four shillings and four pence a year at St Martin's Church.

[2] In 1853, the brick casing was removed from the tower by Philip Charles Hardwick, who added the open-air pulpit.

[2] In 1875, John Thackray Bunce published a book, History of Old St. Martin's, Birmingham, illustrated with paintings by Allen Edward Everitt.

During the demolition, medieval wall paintings and decorations were discovered in the chancel, including one showing the charity of St Martin dividing his cloak with a beggar.

[5] The Victorian floor tiles are by Minton and display the quartered arms of the de Bermingham family.

The parish of St Martin's was extensive, covering a large portion of modern Birmingham.

As new churches were constructed, parts of the parish were reassigned[8] as follows: There were four bells in 1552, together with a clock and chime.

It is known that in 1745 when John Wesley preached in the Bull Ring the bells were rung in an attempt to drown his voice.

A new peal of sixteen bells (tenor weight 39 long cwt 1 qr 19 lb (4,415 lb or 2,003 kg)[14]) hung for ringing was installed, being the first time more than twelve bells had been installed as a change ringing instrument.

The church was presumably without an organ from the English Civil War as the churchwardens accounts read: We the Minister, Churchwardens and inhabitants within the Parish of St. Martin's Birmingham being desirous to put up an organ in the said Parish Church have at a vestry called for this purpose unanimously agreed to raise the sum of 300l and upwards for competing the same, and for our selves, and in behalf of the rest of the Parishioneres have hereunto sett our hands this 17th day of May Anno Dom 1725.