Hopes raised New Brighton church St Peter & Paul’s could be re-opened

Nov 17 2010 by Liam Murphy, Wallasey News

A GRADE II listed Wallasey church, closed for the last two years, could be brought back into use.

Ss Peter & Paul’s Church, in New Brighton, has been the subject of a long-running battle between parishioners and church authorities since it was controversially shut in August, 2008.

But the new Bishop of Shrewsbury has told parishioners he is now working with English Heritage to seek ways to make use of the building which is a key landmark in the borough.

Known as the “Dome of Home”, because it is visible to sailors entering Liverpool Bay, the church’s parishioners have been trying to use church law through the Vatican to overturn the closure by the previous bishop.

It is now thought the church could be used for special occasions and possibly by the local community, and local councillor Tony Pritchard said he welcomed the move, but was still cautious about what it could mean.

He said: “We believe they are going to open Ss Peter and Pauls on an occasional basis. We’re hopeful this is a first step towards bring the church back into full time use.”

After the closure, the church began holding Catholic services for its New Brighton parishioners in the Anglican All Saints church in Wallasey, even carrying out repairs to the building.