St Margaret of Antioch, Toxteth

Built in 1868-69, St Margaret’s was paid for by Robert Horsfall, a local stockbroker and Anglo-Catholic. To the north is the Jesus Chapel, added in 1924-26 and designed by Hubert B Adderley. To the south of the chancel is the Lady Chapel, containing a memorial window and altar scroll for the WWII Royal Naval ship HMS Lively, built at Cammell Laird Shipyard on the other side of the Mersey, and sunk in the Mediterranean in 1942.

The church is stunningly painted, with special features including the heavenly host on the ceiling where the nave and chancel meet; the west wall fresco depicting the Jesus at the wedding in Cana—the miracle of water into wine; the stations of the cross, with 14 murals illustrating the journey of Jesus from his trial to his crucifixion and burial; and the richly decorated, if currently non-operational, pipe organ, designed by Henry ‘Father’ Willis.

Visitors to the church will also learn about the tale of its priest, the Reverend Father James Bell Cox, who was jailed in 1887 because his Anglo-Catholic practices, such as wearing vestments and facing east to offer the Eucharist, were deemed too ritualistic.

Timings

Saturday 12 September:

1000-1400

Sunday 13 September:

1200-1400

Saturday 19 September:

1000-1400

Sunday 20 September:

1200-1400

Location & directions

Church of St Margaret of Antioch, Princes Road, Toxteth, Liverpool, Merseyside, L8 1TG

Directions:

Turn off Upper Parliament Street towards Toxteth and Sefton Park. St Margaret's is opposite the Greek Orthodox Church of St Nicholas and a couple of doors from Princes Road Synagogue.

Contact on day:

Br Dave Kernick

Telephone number:

+447395614008

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

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