St Mary's Church, Woolton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church, Woolton |
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St. Mary's from the east.
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| OS grid reference | SJ 422 868 |
| Location | Church Road, Woolton, Liverpool, Merseyside |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | St Mary's, Woolton |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 19 June 1985 |
| Architect(s) | R. W. Hughes |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1859 |
| Completed | 1860 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Sandstone, slate roof |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Archdiocese of Liverpool |
St Mary's Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Woolton, Liverpool, England. It is an active church that serves the local community. The church is recognized as a Grade II listed building, which means it is an important historical and architectural site.
Contents
History of St Mary's Church
St Mary's Church was built between 1859 and 1860. The design was created by R. W. Hughes, an architect from Preston. The church officially opened its doors on 28 October 1860.
In 1981 and 1982, the church underwent some redecoration. During this time, the baptismal font, which is used for baptisms, was moved to the front of the church. The first stone for the church was laid on 11 September 1859. Interestingly, the church was first known as Saint Benet's until 1881, when its name was changed to Saint Mary's.
The Catholic Community in Woolton
The Catholic community in Woolton has a long and interesting history, spanning over 300 years. Here are some key dates:
- 1715: Benedictine chaplains began serving the Molyneux family at Woolton Hall.
- 1731: The 'Woolton Mission' was started at St. Benet's Priory. Today, the Parish school stands on this very spot.
- 1795: Benedictine nuns from Cambrai, who would later establish Stanbrook Abbey, moved into Woolton Street. They ran a girls' school until 1808.
- 1859: The foundation stone for the current church was laid. It was dedicated to Saint Benet.
- 1860: The church officially opened on 28 October.
- 1861: The church was renamed Saint Mary's.
- 1869: The school building, now the Parish Centre, and the Presbytery (where the priests live) were built.
- 1873: The Cloisters, which connect the church and the Presbytery, were built.
- 1928: The Benedictines left St Mary's after many years of service. The Mill Hill Fathers then became the rectors.
- 1931: V. Rev. Dr. Charles Gelderd became the first local Parish Priest of Saint Mary's.
- 1950: Bishop Halsall held a special Mass to consecrate the church on 8 September.
- 1981/82: The church's inside was redecorated, and the font was moved.
- 1982: Saint Benet's Priory was taken down.
- 1984: Saint Benet's Cemetery was closed to make way for new houses. The graves and memorials were moved to the graveyard at Saint Mary's.
- 1987: Local churches in Woolton, including St Mary's, signed an agreement to work together and support each other.
- 2011: The Redemptorist Community from Bishop Eton took over the pastoral care of the Parish.
Who are the Redemptorists?
The Redemptorists are a group of Catholic priests and brothers. They are officially known as the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. They were founded in Italy in 1732 by Saint Alphonsus Liguori. Their main goal is to preach the Gospel, especially to those who are poor or have been forgotten. In 2011, they began to help lead St Mary's Church.
Architecture of St Mary's
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St Mary's Church is built using red sandstone and has a slate roof. The church faces ritual east, which is actually towards the northwest. The building has a main area called a nave with five sections, but no side aisles. It also has large north and south transepts (parts that stick out to the sides), a chancel (the area around the altar) with chapels on the north and south sides, and rooms for priests called sacristies. There is no tall tower.
At the front of the church, there are strong supports called buttresses, an entrance, and pointed windows with detailed stone patterns. The windows along the sides of the nave have two sections. The south transept has a large four-section window, while the north transept has two two-section windows with a round rose window above them.
Inside the Church
Inside St Mary's, you'll find the high altar and a decorated screen behind it called a reredos. These were made in 1865. The stained glass in the east window, which is very colorful, was made in 1878. It was designed by a famous Belgian artist named Jean-Baptiste Capronnier.
The church also has a large pipe organ with two keyboards. It was built in 1895 and is located in a special gallery on the north wall at the back of the church.
Exploring the Stained Glass Windows
The church has several beautiful stained glass windows, each with its own story:
- Main Window: This window was given by the Jump family. At the very top, it shows the Last Supper. Below, you can see Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica, included because Benedictines founded the Parish. Other saints in this window are Saint Baldwin, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Henry, and Saint Anne. These last four saints are named after members of the Jump family buried nearby. An inscription on the window says, "Donated by James Jump to bring light to God's house." The artist, J. P. Capronnier from Brussels, is also credited on the window. He was a well-known Belgian stained glass painter who helped bring back this art form in the 1800s.
- Window Above the Lady Altar: This window shows Saint John the Evangelist, Saint Mary, and Saint Joseph. An inscription asks for prayers for Joanna Simpson, who passed away in 1859. Miss Simpson gave a generous gift of £1000 to help build the church.
- Window Above the Sacred Heart Altar: This window features images of Saint Elizabeth, Saint Anne, and Saint Robert. These saints are named after members of the Roskell family.
- South Transept Window: This window was put in memory of Francis and Clare Reynolds, who are buried near the church entrance. They lived in what is now Reynolds Park. The window shows Saint Francis and Saint Clare, as well as Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and Saint Vincent de Paul, who are important to the Third Order of Saint Francis, which the Reynolds family belonged to. Small pictures below each saint show scenes from their lives.
- North Transept Rose Window: In the center of this round window is Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. This special image was brought to Liverpool in 1866 by the Redemptorists.
Other Important Buildings
The Presbytery
The presbytery, where the priests live, was built in 1864 and designed by E. W. Pugin. It is made of stone with a slate roof. The building has two floors and a front with three sections. It is also a Grade II listed building, just like the church.
The Parish Centre (Old School Building)
The building now known as the Parish Centre was originally built as a school in 1869. It is made of red sandstone with a slate roof. The school has two floors and a front with nine sections. Today, this building is used as the Parish Hall, and the ground floor houses a nursery. It is also a Grade II listed building.
Images for kids
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The main stained glass window.
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The window above the Lady Altar.
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The window above the Sacred Heart Altar.
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The window in the South Transept.
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The rose window in the North Transept.
