A red brick interwar church in neo-Basilican/Byzantine  style, of some  quality.

Expansion of the ironworks and shipyard led to the establishment in 1899 (from St Mary’s) of two new missions – St Patrick’s on Walney Island and Sacred Heart. For the latter, a dual-purpose school and chapel was built to the designs of Sinnott & Powell of Manchester, and this survives as the school. The original plans for this building are on the file in the diocesan offices. Expansion of the school and demands on space led to the new church being built on Lumley Street in 1929 (cost £7,000).

The church was reordered and a new porch added in 1976. In 1981 the roof of the nave collapsed and was rebuilt with the addition of substantial and ungainly external buttresses.

Description

Brick built church with terracotta trim, in Basilican-Byzantine style. Broad and low west tower, round headed windows, uninterrupted ridge line to nave and chancel roof. The interior consists of an unaisled nave with uninterrupted views, spanned by segmental arched vaulting. Tripartite arched arrangement at division with sanctuary, high  central  arch  with  lower  flanking  ones  giving  on  to  side  chapels;  stylised Byzantine capitals.Stations of the Cross from Italy, in iron frames.

Entry amended by AHP 17.12.2020

Heritage Details