It’s seen life in the city change around it
Mossley Hill Parish Church is celebrating 150 years. Pictured, Rev Rachel Archer(Image: Photo by Colin Lane)
A historic building that’s stood strong on top of a Liverpool hill for well over a century is celebrating an incredible milestone. Located on Mossley Hill Road off Rose Lane, a stone’s throw away from Mossley Hill Athletic Club, Mossley Hill Parish Church has been a constant in the area since 1875.
Also known as The Church of St Matthew and St James, the Grade II* listed building was built in 13th century Gothic style, from sandstone quarried locally. Seeing life in the city change around it, it is now celebrating 150 years at the heart of the community.
Rev’d Rachel Archer, 52, has been with the church for over two years. She told the ECHO: “As I’ve learned and understood from others, there was a person called Matthew James Glenton who apparently stood on Mossley Hill when it was all fields and looked out and thought this would be really good place to build a church.
READ MORE: How three lads from ‘rough ends of Liverpool’ created Sonic YoothaREAD MORE: Scouse brand Montirex is one of the best in the North West
“That didn’t happen immediately and I think upon his death he must have left some instructions in his will, because after is death, money was then given for the building of the church using local sandstone.
“The church was then built and I’ve heard talk that it was going to be the first cathedral for Liverpool because of the size of the church., that must have been when it was still part of Chester diocese and then Liverpool diocese was created, but obviously they later built the cathedral in town. It’s one of the highest points in Liverpool.
Mossley Hill Parish Church is celebrating 150 years(Image: Photo by Colin Lane)
I’m very scared of heights but if you go up the tower and on a good day, people have said they can see Blackpool Tower.” Over the last 150 years, Mossley Hill Parish Church has been a constant in the area, seeing life in Liverpool change around it.
But its fate could have been very different. Rev. Archer said: “It was the first church to be bombed during the Second World War in the UK. The bomb dropped through to the main body of the church, so the roof was gone.
“So that’s why in our church, every window is not stained glassed because obviously all the glass blew out. As we garden every so often, we find another little bit of stained glass from the original, which we’ve kept.
READ MORE: Moment at lost factory changed nan’s life foreverREAD MORE: Where Hollyoaks’ original cast are now ahead of 30th anniversary
“When it was rebuilt, they also kept the stones inside. They’ve got shrapnel wounds from the bomb as a reminder of the story of the church.
“We’ve still got a couple of people with us in our congregation who remember the bomb going off. They were children at the time and remember getting up the next day and seeing their church with a massive hole in it.
“They’ve shared stories of church services still being held in the church with no roof and people having to walk the plank to get up to the high altar on their wedding day to be married.
Mossley Hill Parish Church in the Liverpool Daily Post when it was bombed during the Second World War (Image: Mossley Hill Parish Church archive)
“The Memorial Chapel was also paid for and built by Colonel Ritchie in thanksgiving for his sons who came back from the First World War.
“And later on, a stained glass window was put in by the Crawford family of the biscuit business. If you look, you can see the biscuit in the window.”
Now well over a century on for its beginning, Rev. Archer said Mossley Hill Parish Church has become so much more than just a place of worship. She said: “The 150 years is about the celebration of honouring all those who have gone before us who have faithfully worshipped in the church through quite adverse conditions – from its start to the time that the bomb went off, to keep faithful in worship and to keep faithful in serving our local community.
READ MORE: Beautiful waterfall walk and woodland 90 minutes from LiverpoolREAD MORE: ‘This is a real sign that the future is bright for us’
“That’s really what this 150th is about, giving thanks to God, being a place of prayer, a place of worship, but also place where from that we’re then become equipped to go and serve our local community.
“Because we’re a church on a hill, we stand out a bit like a beacon of hope, a beacon of light, being there, as a constant. When, life changes and we’ve all got our own stories to tell of how difficult life is, it is a symbol of something in one sense that is unchanging and solid, the church, but in another, adapts to whatever the current climate is.
“I just think that visual sight of our church tower perhaps can offer people a sense of place, a sense of security and that we are here.”
Rev Rachel Archer inside the historic church(Image: Photo by Colin Lane)
As part of their 150th celebrations, the church are hosting the Mossley Hill Festival tomorrow, Saturday, June 25, at Mossley Hill Athletics Field. From 11am till 9pm, visitors can expect a day full of live music, tasty street food, a makers market, a dog show, and a host of competitions – some of which will be judged by Sue Johnston, star of Brookside and The Royle Family – and much more.
Children will also be well entertained with dedicated activities and games taking place throughout the day. Rev. Archer added: “It’s truly fantastic to be celebrating 150 years of faith and community here in Mossley Hill. The church has been a place of love, support and connection for generations, and this festival is a joyful expression of that legacy.
“We’d love everyone to come along – whether you’re part of the church family or just curious to see what’s happening, you’ll be warmly welcomed.”
Mossley Hill Festival has been supported by local councillors through their Local Neighbourhood Fund. To find out more, click here.