St. Patrick's Church

Built 1821-1827 by public subscription and designed by John Slater , this large church , the oldest Catholic church in Liverpool now in use, is dominated by four Greek Doric columns which form a porch at each of the two West End entrances below a very prominent statue of its patron , St. Patrick . It is built of brick with stone dressings , to an unusual , cruciform plan . Pevsner says that the interior is similar to that of a Nonconformist chapel with its two tiers of windows and galleries on three sides. The East end is dominated by de Keyser's " Crucifixion " , an enormous painting measuring 30 feet by 22 feet , hung here in 1834. In the West gallery, an important pipe organ by Bishop, Lewis and Rushworth and Dreaper towers above the gallery inside its magnificent case . There are extensive burial vaults and pits below the church , its foundations cut into the solid sandstone beneath . Many fascinating artefacts include 14 Stations of the Cross presented in 3D format. The Celtic Cross ( 1898 ) in front of the church commemorates the 10 Catholic priests who died during the Typhus / Cholera epidemic in Liverpool in 1847, some of whom are buried in the crypt. There is a special exhibition to mark the 200 th anniversary of the foundation of the church ; the author of a new history of St. Patrick's will sign copies of the book and welcome reminiscences ; and visitors can observe restoration and archaeological investigation work

Timings & Tours

Saturday 07 September:

1900 -2100. Free concert of classical music by Liverpool University music students.

Sunday 08 September:

1900-2100. Free concert of classical music by Liverpool University music students.

Saturday 14 September:

1400-1800.Talks, guided tours , exhibitions , family history and archaeological workshops.

Location & directions

Park Place, Liverpool, Merseyside, L8 5RA

Directions:

Look for the large statue of St. Patrick , high up on the West Front, overlooking the street, its plinth engraved with gilded lettering and sporting a green shamrock . Excellent parking BEHIND the church.

Contact on day:

Mr. Tony. McKean

Telephone number:

+447814665029

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Old, warm clothes are best ! Park at the rear , where there are no steps . There is one step at the church entrance . Toilets are not wheelchair accessible. Assistance dogs are welcome everywhere ; others in outside areas.

Additional information

The crypt has limited access.

Max no of people per tour:

200

Est. tour duration:

2 hour(s)

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