First United Presbyterian Church, Grange Road West, Birkenhead

The Presbyterian Church in England built St Andrew’s Church Conway Street in 1839-1840. Construction of a place of worship for a breakaway group, the First United Presbyterian Church, previously Woodside Secession Church, began in 1847 with the church opening the following year. Such was the growth in population that in 1854 a gallery was added to provide additional sittings. Modern photographs suggest that at some stage a narthex/porch was also built to enclose the steps to the main entrance shown on the 1847 lithograph.

The Presbyterian church, in Grange Road West, erected in 1847, is a building of stone in the Gothic style, consisting of nave with a turret over the entrance, and has 650 sittings. [Kelly’s Directory of Birkenhead 1896]

The last service was held on 14 July 1948 following which the building was sold to the Birkenhead Repertory Company for use as a theatre. In 1951 the congregation was formally dissolved and amalgamated with Trinity Church. The theatre company has subsequently altered the street elevation although the original Gothic building, less its turret, is clearly visible behind.

Reference           Hartwell/Hyde/Pevsner/Hubbard. Buildings of England: Cheshire 2011. page 149

Note Walter Scott was baptised at Oldham Street Presbyterian Church, Liverpool.