St Mary's Church, Billinge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church, Billinge |
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West end of St Mary's Church, Billinge
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 St Mary's Church, Billinge
Location in Merseyside
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| 53°29′27″N 2°43′04″W / 53.4909°N 2.7178°W | |
| OS grid reference | SJ 525 996 |
| Location | Birchley Road, Billinge, St Helens, Merseyside |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 23 August 1985 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Georgian |
| Groundbreaking | 1828 |
| Completed | Late 19th century |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Stone, slate roof |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Liverpool |
St Mary's Church is a Roman Catholic church located on Birchley Road in Billinge, St Helens, Merseyside, England. It is part of the Liverpool archdiocese. The church was first built in 1828. Later in the 1800s, it was made bigger.
This church is still used today. It is listed as a Grade II building on the National Heritage List for England. This means it is an important historical building. In 2020, the church's local area grew. This happened when another church, St. Patrick's, closed and its members joined St Mary's.
Contents
Church History
St Mary's Church was built in 1828. The apse, which is a rounded part of the church, was added later. The presbytery, which is the house for the priest, was also added in the late 1800s.
Church Design and Look
Outside the Church
The church is made of stone and has a slate roof. It has a main area called a nave with three sections. At the back, there is a rounded chancel. The front of the church has a triangular top called a pediment.
This front part has three sections. The middle section has a main doorway with a porch. This porch has two Doric columns on each side. Above the columns, there is a flat band called a frieze and a top edge called a cornice. The sections on either side of the doorway have round-topped windows. Above these windows and the porch are three rectangular panels.
The triangular top of the church has a special panel with letters carved into it. On top of the church is a small tower for a bell, called a bellcote. Along the sides of the church, there are more round-topped windows. The rounded back part of the church has tall, narrow, round-topped windows.
Inside the Church
Inside, the church has a curved ceiling that looks like a tunnel. There is a small balcony at the back, above the entrance. The arch leading to the chancel is round. It is supported by round pillars with fancy tops called capitals.
In the rounded chancel area, there are large paintings. There is also a special carved space called a niche and an altar. The font, which is used for baptisms, was made in 1877. It is made of alabaster and stands on marble supports. It has carved panels showing symbols of the Evangelists.
The Presbytery (Priest's House)
The presbytery, which is the priest's house, is connected to the east end of the church. It has two floors and a front with three sections. The third section has a triangular top and a special bay window that sticks out. This window has a sloped roof. The main entrance to the presbytery is in the middle and has a small porch with a triangular top.
Why St Mary's Church is Important
On August 23, 1985, St Mary's Church and its presbytery were officially named a Grade II listed building. This means they are important to the history of England. Grade II is the most common listing grade. It is given to buildings that are important to the country and have special features.
See also
- Listed buildings in Billinge, Merseyside
