Church of St Matthew and St James, Mossley Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Matthew and St James, Mossley Hill |
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| 53°22′35″N 2°55′14″W / 53.3763°N 2.9206°W | |
| OS grid reference | SJ 388,870 |
| Location | Rose Lane, Mossley Hill, Liverpool |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | Mossley Hill Church |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founder(s) | Matthew James Glenton |
| Dedication | St Matthew, St James |
| Consecrated | 23 June 1875 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 14 March 1975 |
| Architect(s) | Paley and Austin |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1870 |
| Completed | 1880 |
| Construction cost | £28,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Red sandstone, tile roof |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Mossley Hill |
| Deanery | Liverpool South Childwall |
| Archdeaconry | Liverpool |
| Diocese | Liverpool |
| Province | York |
The Church of St Matthew and St James is a beautiful church in Mossley Hill, Liverpool, England. It is an active Anglican parish church, meaning it serves the local community. The church is considered very important. It is listed as a Grade II* building on the National Heritage List for England. Experts say it is "one of the best Victorian churches in Liverpool."
Contents
History of the Church
Building and Early Years
The church was built between 1870 and 1875. It was designed by famous architects Paley and Austin from Lancaster. The church was officially opened and blessed in 1875.
A local businessman, Matthew James Glenton, paid for the church. He spent about £28,000, which was a lot of money back then! The church is named after him, using his first names: St Matthew and St James. In 1880, more parts were added, like the east window and the baptistry (where baptisms happen). A new chapel, called the Ritchie Chapel, was added in 1922.
World War II Damage and Repairs
During the Second World War, this church was sadly the first in Britain to be hit by bombs. This happened on August 28–29, 1940. All the beautiful stained glass windows were destroyed. These windows included designs by famous artists like William Morris.
The church was repaired between 1950 and 1952. The damaged stained glass was replaced. In 1975, a new church hall was built next to the church.
Architecture of the Church
Outside the Church
The church is built from red sandstone and has a tile roof. It looks like churches from the 13th century. The church has a cross-shaped layout. It has a long main hall called a nave, with side sections called aisles. There are also transepts, which are the arms of the cross shape.
A tall tower stands where the nave and transepts meet. This tower has strong buttresses (supports) and a small stair tower. It has clock faces and openings for bells. The top of the tower has a pointed roof with a finial (a decorative top). People describe the tower as "truly monumental," meaning it's very impressive.
Inside the Church
The inside of the church is described as "majestic." The tall crossing tower is the main feature. The arches inside are supported by strong columns. Most of the church's furniture and decorations were designed by the original architects.
The pulpit, where sermons are given, is under the west arch. The font, used for baptisms, is made of alabaster (a soft, white stone). The stained glass windows that were destroyed in the war have been replaced. The new glass in the east window shows scenes from the Apostles' Creed. The west window shows pictures from a famous poem called Paradise Lost.
In a passage leading to the church hall, there are two special stained glass windows. These were made by a company called Morris & Co. They were moved here from another church in 1970. The reredos (a decorated screen behind the altar) has a beautiful carving. It shows the Upper Room in Emmaus, which is a copy of a mosaic from Westminster Abbey.
The Organ
The church has a large pipe organ with three keyboards. It was built in 1874 by Henry Willis. The organ was taken apart in 1940 after the bombing. It was put back together in 1953. Since then, it has been updated several times.
Other Buildings Nearby
The vicarage, which is the house for the vicar (church leader), is next to the church. It was also designed by Paley and Austin. It is also a Grade II listed building.
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in Merseyside
- List of ecclesiastical works by Paley and Austin
