English Martyrs' Church, Wallasey

English Martyrs' Church is a Romanesque Revival building in Wallasey with brown brick walls, reinforced concrete columns topped with silver spiral bands, and a curved apse at the eastern end. The interior is lit by cruciform clerestory windows that filter daylight across the grey-brown brick surfaces and create a soft, contemplative environment.

The parish started in 1901 with services held in a private house on St George's Road before a temporary iron structure was built to serve the growing community. The current building was completed and opened in 1953, establishing the church in its permanent location.

The interior displays sculptures by Philip Lindsey Clark, and a relief carving titled Angel of Agony supports the altar slab, serving as a focal artistic element within the space.

The church is a Grade II* listed building operated under the Diocese of Shrewsbury with regular Catholic services throughout the week. Visitors should check service times in advance to ensure they can view the interior during open hours.

The spiral bands on the concrete columns catch the light beautifully when sun streams through the clerestory windows, creating subtle reflections on the brick surfaces. This blend of 1950s modernism with traditional materials shows an unconventional design approach for a Catholic church of that era.

Location: Wirral

Inception: 1953

Architects: F. X. Velarde

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 53.42430,-3.06340

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:04