St Mary's Church, Wavertree facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church, Wavertree |
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St Mary's Church, Wavertree, from the southeast
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| OS grid reference | SJ 389 897 |
| Location | North Drive, Wavertree, Liverpool, Merseyside |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | St Mary, Wavertree |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 14 March 1975 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Groundbreaking | 1872 |
| Completed | 1880s |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Sandstone, slate roofs |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Mary, Wavertree |
| Deanery | Toxteth and Wavertree |
| Archdeaconry | Liverpool |
| Diocese | Liverpool |
| Province | York |
St Mary's Church is located in North Drive, Wavertree, a part of Liverpool, Merseyside, England. It is an active Anglican church, meaning it belongs to the Church of England. This church is an important local building. It is officially recognized as a Grade II listed building. This means it is a special building that needs to be protected because of its history or design.
Contents
History of St Mary's Church
From Methodist to Anglican Church
The building we see today started as a Methodist church. It was built between 1872 and 1873. In the 1880s, some new parts were added. These included a tall tower with a pointy roof, called a broach spire.
The church was damaged during the First World War. It was repaired and updated in 1925. However, the Methodist church eventually closed in 1950.
Interestingly, there was an older St Mary's Anglican church nearby. It was designed by W. and J. Hay. Its foundation stone was laid in 1850. This older church was sadly destroyed by bombs in the Second World War.
When the Methodist church closed, the Church of England bought it. They changed it to become an Anglican church. This new St Mary's Church was officially opened in December 1952.
Architecture and Design
Building Materials and Shape
St Mary's Church is built using yellow sandstone. It has special red sandstone details. The roof is made of slate.
The church has a main hall called a nave. This nave has five sections, or "bays." It does not have side aisles. There are also small parts sticking out on the sides, called transeptal projections. At the east end, there is a rounded area known as an apse. At the west end, there is a baptistry, which is a place for baptisms. A tall steeple is located on the northeast side.
Tower and Windows
The church tower has strong supports called buttresses. The main entrance is under a pointed arch. Above this arch are two tall, narrow windows called lancet windows. Higher up, there are two-light windows with round rose windows.
Even higher, you can see a decorative band called a Lombard frieze. There are also gargoyles, which are carved stone figures. The top of the tower has a decorative, pierced wall called a parapet.
The windows along the sides of the nave have two lights. They feature detailed stone patterns called Decorated tracery. At the east end of the church, there is a blocked-up entrance. Above it is a large window with five lights. The foundation stone from the original Anglican church is built into this blocked entrance.
War Memorial
In the churchyard, there is a special war memorial. It was moved here from the churchyard of the previous church. This memorial is also a Grade II listed building, just like the church.
The memorial is made of stone. It has a triangular base, or plinth. On top of this plinth is a triangular stand called a pedestal. This pedestal has decorative "scrolled feet" at the bottom corners. It also has a fancy top edge, or cornice, with carved scrolls.
A tall, six-sided column stands on the pedestal. At its very top, it becomes a simpler, six-sided column. On the east side of the base, there is a stone plaque. It remembers those who died in the Second World War. Each side of the plinth has an inscribed stone plaque. The sides of the pedestal have plaques with the names of those who died in the First World War.
The memorial stands in a six-sided area. This area is surrounded by a low stone border and filled with gravel.
Images for kids
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St Mary's Church, Wavertree, from the southeast
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The war memorial
