A WIRRAL church designed by the architect behind Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral is to be sold off by Chester Diocese.
Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, All Saints, on Hose Side Road, in Wallasey, is being sold off at a guide price of £250,000.
The church was at the centre of a controversial sharing agreement
between Anglican and Catholic dioceses after the closure of the “Dome of
Home”, Ss Peter and Paul’s.
However, this agreement was scrapped and earlier this year the
Catholic Shrewsbury Diocese issued a decree to merge the parishes of Ss
Peter and Paul and English Martyrs, in Wallasey Village.
Services began again in the day chapel of Ss Peter and Paul’s in
March, but, after the sharing agreement ended, All Saints church was
unable to continue.
A spokesman for the Diocese of Chester said: “We will be looking for
a buyer who will put the building to a suitable use that does not
conflict with Church of England values. Among the options being considered are: use by faith groups; community use; and commercial development."
“All Saints closed following a lengthy consultation and legal
process which the Church of England always applies to church buildings,
not least because they are important focal points for the local
community."
“Additional legal processes apply to sale and subsequent use – again, to ensure a suitable use. More than 90 years of faithful Christian service took place at All
Saints, and the closure was marked with a special service attended by
the Bishop of Birkenhead."
“Local parishioners can now attend services at the nearby St Nicholas’s Church, Wallasey Village.”
All Saints is being marketed by Chester-based agents Denton Clark as
a “development opportunity” and the church, which is not listed, has
potential for other uses, but its connection to Sir Giles Gilbert Scott
could see it listed in the future.
Although Sir Giles designed the church in 1915, it was not until 1927 it was built, with more added up to the 1960s.
The description says informal discussions with planners at Wirral
Council “have indicated that a variety of proposals for the re-use of
the Church are likely to be favourably received”.
These include conversion to apartments, or use as a recording
studio, craft workshop, children’s nursery, leisure use or for “light
industrial” or as offices.
However, it added that sale would be subject to a “period of public consultation.”