Church of the Holy Family, Ince Blundell facts for kids

The Church of the Holy Family is a beautiful church located near the village of Ince Blundell in Merseyside, England. It's special because it serves both as a private church for the nearby Ince Blundell Hall and as a public Roman Catholic parish church for the community. The church was built a long time ago, between 1858 and 1860, and was designed by a famous architect named Joseph John Scoles. Inside, you can see amazing paintings by an artist called Gebhard Flatz. This church is considered very important, so it's protected as a Grade II* listed building.

The Story of the Church

The land where the church stands was once home to the Blundell family. In 1837, the property passed to the Weld family. Thomas Weld, a member of this family, decided to make the hall bigger and add a special chapel. This chapel is what we now know as the Church of the Holy Family.

Building the Church

The church was built between 1858 and 1860. It was designed by an architect named Joseph John Scoles. For many years, it served as a private chapel for the family living at Ince Blundell Hall. However, it was also used by the public for worship right from the start. In the 1960s, the church was officially given to the Archdiocese of Liverpool, which is a large group of Catholic churches in the area.

What the Church Looks Like

The Church of the Holy Family is built with bricks and has stone decorations, topped with a slate roof. The front of the church, called the west face, has two levels and is made of stone at the bottom.

Outside Features

The front has three main sections, or bays. The middle section sticks out a bit and has a rounded top. There's a decorative band between the two levels. At the very top, you'll see a triangular shape called a pediment with leafy designs inside it. A cross sits on top of the pediment.

• On the lower level, there are two rounded windows in the middle section and one in each of the side sections.
• On the upper level, there are two tall, rounded windows in the center.
• The side sections have rounded spaces called niches under decorative ledges called cornices.
• To the left of the front, there's a covered entrance with a small tower.
• The rest of the church's outside is quite simple, with windows along the sides (called clerestory windows) and a rounded end at the back, known as an apse.

Inside the Church

The inside of the church is very colorful and decorated in a style from the 1400s in Italy, called Quattrocento Italianate. The main part of the church, the nave, has five sections. Its ceiling has a pattern of sunken panels, known as a coffered ceiling.

• At the back of the church, there's a balcony or gallery supported by strong columns.
• The paintings inside are in a style called Renaissance arabesque, which uses flowing lines and patterns.
• The main painting behind the altar was created by Gebhard Flatz. He also painted other pictures in shades of gray (called grisaille paintings) that are framed along the nave.
• The large window at the west end has beautiful stained glass made by Forrest of Liverpool around 1860–67.
• Under the gallery, there are four more stained glass windows made by Hardman between the two World Wars.
• You can also find a special metal plaque, called a memorial brass, dedicated to Charles Blundell from around 1860. It shows two angels, an inscription, and a cross.

Why the Church is Important

The Church of the Holy Family was officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building on December 20, 1996. This means it's considered a very important building. Grade II* is the middle level of protection for historic buildings in England. It's given to buildings that are "particularly important buildings of more than special interest." This shows how much the church is valued for its history and design.

See also

• Listed buildings in Ince Blundell