Church of St Teresa of Avila, Birkdale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Teresa of Avila |
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West end of the Church of St Teresa of Avila
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| OS grid reference | SD 335 158 |
| Location | Everton Road, Birkdale, Southport, Sefton, Merseyside |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | St Teresa, Birkdale |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | Saint Teresa of Ávila |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 29 July 1999 |
| Architect(s) | Sinnott, Sinnott and Powell |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival (Early English) |
| Groundbreaking | 1897 |
| Completed | 1898 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Brick with dressings in sandstone and terracotta; Slate roofs |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Roman Catholic Diocese of Liverpool |
The Church of St Teresa of Avila is a beautiful Roman Catholic church located in Birkdale, Southport, England. It was built a long time ago, between 1897 and 1898. Three architects named James Sinnott, Bernard Sinnott, and Daniel Powell designed it. This church is still used today for services. It is also a special building, listed as Grade II, which means it's important for its history and architecture.
Contents
History of St Teresa's Church
St Teresa's Church was started as a new church for the area. It was built to help serve the growing community. The church was designed by the same architects who built it, Sinnott, Sinnott and Powell.
Later, in the 1950s, the sanctuary area of the church was updated. It was decorated with shiny marble. The church was changed again later in the 20th century. During this time, the altar was moved closer to the people.
Exploring the Church's Design
The Church of St Teresa of Avila has a special design. It is built in a style called Early English Gothic. This style looks like churches from the early medieval period in England.
Outside the Church
The church is made from red bricks. It has special details made from red sandstone and buff terracotta. The roof is covered with slate tiles.
The church has a cross-shaped layout. It has a narrow main area called the nave. This opens up into wider sections on the north and south sides called aisles. Each aisle leads to a short transept, which are the "arms" of the cross shape. At the end is the chancel, where the altar is.
You can see a small spire, called a flèche, over the middle of the church. There is also a small tower for bells, called a bellcote, on the north transept. At the front of the church, there are two tall, narrow windows called lancet windows. Above them is a round window, known as a rose window.
Inside the Church
Inside, the church has arcades on both sides of the middle area. These are rows of arches supported by round sandstone columns. The tops of these columns, called capitals, are carved with leaf designs.
The main altar and the reredos (a screen behind the altar) in the chancel are carved with angels. They also have the words "Ecce Panis Angelorum," which means "Behold the Bread of Angels." In the south transept, there is another small chapel with an altar. Its reredos is carved with a figure of Saint Teresa.
The windows in the nave have beautiful stained glass made by Earley and Company. These windows show English martyrs and saints. Other windows in the church were made by Hardman & Co. The church also has a large pipe organ with two keyboards. It was built around 1910 by Ainscough of Preston.
The Presbytery Building
The presbytery is a building attached to the north side of the church. It is where the church's priest lives. It has a square shape and a porch on one side. The presbytery is made of brick with a hipped slate roof. It has two main floors and extra rooms in the attic.
The front of the building has a bay window that sticks out. There are also windows with three sections, called mullioned windows. You can see dormer windows with sloped roofs on the west and south sides. On top of the roof, there is a chimney shaped like a cross.
Why the Church is Special
The Church of St Teresa of Avila and its presbytery were officially recognized as a Grade II listed building on July 29, 1999. Being Grade II means that the building is important to the country's history. It has special architectural or historical interest.
St Teresa's Church Today
St Teresa's is still an active Roman Catholic church. Many people attend services there. Masses are held on Sundays and throughout the week.
See also
- Listed buildings in Birkdale
