Church of the Holy Family, Ince Blundell facts for kids

The Church of the Holy Family is a special church. It is found next to Ince Blundell Hall. This is a large house near the village of Ince Blundell in Merseyside, England. It serves as both a private church for the estate and a public Roman Catholic parish church. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Liverpool. The church was built between 1858 and 1860. It was designed by Joseph John Scoles. Inside, you can see beautiful paintings by Gebhard Flatz. This church is considered very important. It is a Grade II* listed building on the National Heritage List for England.

A Church with a Past

Ince Blundell Hall was once the home of the Blundell family. In 1837, the Weld family took over the hall. Thomas Weld decided to make the hall bigger. He also added a chapel. This chapel is what we now call the Church of the Holy Family.

Building the Church

The church was built from 1858 to 1860. It was designed by an architect named Joseph John Scoles. In the 1960s, the church was given to the Archdiocese of Liverpool. From the very beginning, it has been used in two ways. It was a private chapel for the family. It was also a place where the public could come to worship.

What the Church Looks Like

The church is made of brick with stone details. It has a roof made of slate. The front of the church, called the west face, has two levels. It stands on a stone base.

Outside the Church

The west face has three sections, called bays. The middle section is rounded at the top and sticks out a bit. There is a band of stone between the two levels. At the very top, there is a triangular shape called a pediment. It has leaf designs inside it. A cross sits on top of the pediment.

On the lower level, the middle section has two rounded windows. The sections on either side have one rounded window each. On the upper level, the middle section has two tall, rounded windows under an arch. The outer sections have rounded spaces called niches. These are under decorative ledges called cornices. To the left of the front, there is a covered entrance with a small tower. The rest of the church's outside is simple. It has windows along the sides, high up, called clerestory windows. At the back, the east end, it has a rounded shape called an apse.

Inside the Church

The inside of the church is designed in an Italianate style. This style is from the 1400s in Italy, known as Quattrocento. There is a lot of painted decoration inside. The main part of the church, called the nave, has five sections. Its ceiling has sunken panels, known as a coffered ceiling.

At the west end, there is a balcony or gallery. It is held up by strong columns called Doric columns. The railing of the balcony is called a balustrade. The paintings inside are in a Renaissance style. This style uses swirling patterns, similar to arabesque art. Some experts think the same person who decorated the hall also decorated the church.

The painting behind the altar, called the altarpiece, was done by Gebhard Flatz. He also painted pictures in grey tones, called grisaille paintings. These are in framed panels along the nave. The large window at the west end has stained glass from around 1860–67. It was made by Forrest of Liverpool. Under the gallery, there are four more windows. These were made by Hardman between World War I and World War II. You can also find a special metal plaque, called a memorial brass, for Charles Blundell. It dates from about 1860 and shows two angels, writing, and a cross.

Why the Church is Important

The Church of the Holy Family was officially named a Grade II* listed building on December 20, 1996. There are three levels of listed buildings. Grade II* is the middle level. It means the building is "particularly important" and has "more than special interest."

See also

• Listed buildings in Ince Blundell