St Andrew's Church, West Kirby facts for kids

St Andrew's Church is a special old church located in West Kirby, England. It's an active Anglican church, meaning it's part of the Church of England. This church is so important that it's officially protected as a Grade II listed building. This means it's a building of special historical or architectural interest.

Quick facts for kids St Andrew's Church, West Kirby
St Andrew's Church, West Kirby, from the southwest
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OS grid reference	SJ 212,872
Location	West Kirby, Wirral, Merseyside
Country	England
Denomination	Anglican
Churchmanship	Traditional Catholic
History
Status	Parish church
Dedication	Saint Andrew
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II
Designated	20 January 1988
Architect(s)	Douglas and Fordham Douglas and Minshull
Architectural type	Church
Style	Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking	1889
Completed	1909
Specifications
Materials	Sandstone, slate roof Slate-hung spire and pinnacles
Administration
Parish	St Andrew, West Kirby
Deanery	Wirral North
Archdeaconry	Chester
Diocese	Chester
Province	York

History of St Andrew's Church

The building of St Andrew's Church started in 1889. It was first used as a smaller church, called a chapel of ease, for the nearby St Bridget's Church. By 1920, it became its own separate parish church.

The first part of the church was designed by architects Douglas and Fordham between 1889 and 1891. The church was finished later, between 1907 and 1909, by another architectural firm, Douglas and Minshull.

Church Today

St Andrew's Church follows a traditional style of worship within the Church of England, known as Traditional Catholic. Because of its beliefs, it receives special guidance from the Bishop of Beverley.

Architecture of St Andrew's

The church is built from sandstone with a slate roof. It has a cross shape when you look at it from above.

Outside the Church

The church has a long main area called a nave. It also has side sections called aisles. In the middle, where the arms of the cross meet, there's a tower. This tower is unique because it's set diagonally. On top of the tower is a tall, pointed spire.

The south side of the church has a small chapel. The north side holds the church organ. At the front and back of the church, there are large windows that let in light.

Inside the Church

Inside, the church has strong, eight-sided columns. The font, where baptisms happen, is also eight-sided. It has a wooden cover with fancy decorations.

In the central part of the church, you'll find the choirstalls. The chapel on the south side has a special screen. There's also a beautiful reredos behind the altar, which was made in 1911. It's painted and covered in gold, and people say it's "magnificent."

In 1928, Arthur Barbosa designed the organ case and the fronts of the pews. There are also two windows from the 1990s that feature stained glass.

See also

• Listed buildings in Hoylake
• List of new churches by John Douglas