St Peter's Church was the

Anglican Anglicanism, also known as Episcopalianism in some countries, is a Western Christianity, Western Christian tradition which developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the ...

pro-cathedral A pro-cathedral or procathedral is a parish Church (building), church that temporarily serves as the cathedral or co-cathedral of a diocese, or a church that has the same function in a Catholic missionary jurisdiction (such as an apostolic prefect ...

and

parish church A parish church (or parochial church) in Christianity is the Church (building), church which acts as the religious centre of a parish. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church may play a significant role in com ...

Liverpool Liverpool is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. It is situated on the eastern side of the River Mersey, Mersey Estuary, near the Irish Sea, north-west of London. With a population ...

. It was erected in 1700,

consecrated Sacred describes something that is dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity; is considered worthy of spiritual respect or devotion; or inspires awe or reverence among believers. The property is often ascribed to objects (a ...

on 29 June 1704, and demolished in 1922. It was located on Church Street. Its location is now marked by a bronze Maltese cross on Church Street.

History

The first

oratorio An oratorio () is a musical composition with dramatic or narrative text for choir, soloists and orchestra or other ensemble. Similar to opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an instrumental ensemble, various distinguisha ...

to be performed in Liverpool was Handel's ''Messiah'', which took place in St Peter's Church. On 1 July 1880, J. C. Ryle was appointed as the first Bishop of Liverpool, at which point St Peter's became the pro-cathedral of Liverpool. The church was later replaced as the cathedral of Liverpool by the current

Liverpool Cathedral Liverpool Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in the city of Liverpool, England. It is the seat of the bishop of Liverpool and is the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Liverpool, diocese of Liverpool. The church may be formally re ...

. The church's records are stored in the Liverpool Records Office.

Architecture

The building was designed by John Moffat and was erected to the south of Church Street. The architecture of the pro-cathedral was criticized for being inconsistent, as each of the doorways to the church featured different designs. The church had a single tower that measured 108 feet (33 meters) in height, with the upper part being octagonal in shape and containing a peal of ten bells. The church contained an oak altar that was greatly admired. At the eastern end was a stained glass window representing

Saint Peter Saint Peter (born Shimon Bar Yonah; 1 BC – AD 64/68), also known as Peter the Apostle, Simon Peter, Simeon, Simon, or Cephas, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and one of the first leaders of the Jewish Christian#Jerusalem ekklēsia, e ...

, and at the western end was a large organ. The environment surrounding the church was criticized for being muddy; Church Street was not paved until 1760 and was the site of a weekly cattle market.

Closure and demolition

By the early 20th century, it was felt that Liverpool deserved a more significant building as its cathedral. Construction on the new

commenced in 1904, and by 1922, St Peter's Church was deemed obsolete. The building was slated for demolition, which also allowed for the widening of Church Street. The last service took place in the church in September 1919 before demolition began, which was completed on 23 October 1922. That same year, construction of a new Woolworths store commenced, designed by William Priddle, and the store opened in August 1923. Today, the only indications that a church once stood at the site are the name of the street and a brass Maltese cross set in the granite pavement, placed at the precise location of the doors of the former church.

References

Citations Sources * *

External links

Lancashire OnLine Parish Clerks

The 1,375 lost gravestones from St Peter's Church
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Peter's Church, Liverpool Destroyed churches in England Demolished buildings and structures in Liverpool Churches completed in 1700 1700 establishments in England Buildings and structures demolished in 1922 1922 disestablishments in England