Historic Liverpool church gate restored

by Lauren Riley. Published Fri 20 Jan 2012 16:21

A special part of Rainhill's history has been restored thanks to a successful bid for £50,000 worth of Heritage Lottery funding.

St Ann's Church in Rainhill was given the money to repair their historic lych gate, which was originally given by the Roby family in 1950.

The restoration cost £65,000 and included money raised by the Parish council, church and other donors.

The gate was blessed by the Rt. Revd Richard Blackburn following a service of Holy Communion at St Helen's Church attended by the chair of Rainhill Parish Council and the Bishop of Warrington.

He also blessed a new stained glass baptistry window, given in memory of former parishioner Bob Lewis by his family.

Derek Broome, the project co-ordinator said: “The Lych Gate is a prominent feature in the Rainhill conservation area, and together with the church and the old school, is a listed building.

“It had fallen into disrepair and its restoration and conservation not only enhances the complex of listed buildings, but will encourage the village community to conserve this part of history.”