Church of Our Lady of Reconciliation de la Salette

The parish was founded by the Belgian Fr. Vanderspitte in 1854 and the present Grade II church opened in 1860 . It was the result of close collaboration between Edward Welby Pugin and the Bishop of Liverpool , Alexander Goss , who took such a personal interest in the building that his coat of arms is carved in stone above the South door. Pugin's design is important because it represents his first attempt at a semi-circular apsidal design , its large internal space providing almost uninterrupted visibility for 1,000 worshippers including many Irish immigrants and , later , the Lithuanian community who donated the Side Altar of Our Lady of Wilna in 1893. Flooded with light from the huge , circular West window and the sexfoil clerestory windows, and dominated internally by scissor bracing and the hanging rood cross , the sanctuary was ravaged by fire in the 1970's, but the sinuous , carved oak Belgian altar rails survive , a First World War Memorial , while the matching Stations of the Cross , and the pulpit , have been lost. Above , the important Hardman stained glass windows still await restoration after damage in the Second World War. Charismatic parish priest, Canon Michael Twomey ( 1932-1964 ) was the uncle of Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald (born 1937 ) , now resident at St. Vincent's Church where the Canon served 1913-1914. The church survives ; sadly , without its sacristy and presbytery but having reversed much of the brutal 1970's re-ordering.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 14 September:

1400-1730

Location & directions

3 Eldon Place, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 6HE

Directions:

The church dominates Eldon Street with its bell cote perched on the apex of the roof immediately above a huge , circular window.

Contact on day:

Brian Jones

Telephone number:

+447597970801

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Parking is relatively limited in Eldon Street.

Additional information

They will receive a warm welcome and may meet old friends.

Max no of people per tour:

200

Est. tour duration:

3 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

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