Wirral’s historic buildings put under the microscope

Jul 22 2009 by Carrie Catterall, Birkenhead News

Appeal for new owner for historic former convent building in Rock Ferry

THE credit crunch is hampering efforts to find a new owner for a former Rock Ferry convent with links to the US Civil War.

St Margaret’s in Mersey Lane South has been lying empty since the Religious Sisters of Charity moved out five years ago.

The sisters established the base in 1890 for residential care of the elderly, parish visiting, agency work, an Irish Welfare Centre and work with the Union of Catholic Mothers.

Councillors and local history groups say they are becoming increasingly concerned about the building, which is thought to date from the 1830s.

Since becoming vacant, it has been targeted by vandals and the now–overgrown grounds are littered with smashed glass.

Riverside Housing holds the lease on the building but says that, in the current economic climate, it could be some time before a new owner is found.