St Peter's Church, Aintree, Liverpool

AINTREE (NEAR LIVERPOOL) —The foundation-stone of the new church of St. Peter's, Aintree, was laid on the 17th alt. by the Bishop of Chester. The present church was originally used as a cock-pit, and was converted into a place of worship about the year 1846, being licensed by the Bishop. It has accommodation for about 280 people. The new church is to accommodate about 550 people, 180 free sittings being provided. The designs are by Mr. A. P. Bell, Manchester, who has selected the style of the thirteenth century. The church will consist of nave and chancel, with north and south aisles, the chancel terminating in a five-sided apse. The whole of the external treatment, with the internal arches, strings, mouldings, &c., will be executed in red sandstone. The church will be roofed with red Staffordshire tiles, with ornamental ridge of special design. [Builder 6 May 1876 page 444-445]

ST. PETER'S CHURCH, AINTREE, LIVERPOOL - The foundation-stone of the above church was laid by the Lord Bishop of Chester, on Monday last, assisted by a numerous assemblage of clergymen and parishioners. The building in which the congregation at present worship was originally used a cockpit, but converted into a church in the 1847, and has been used for divine worship under the licence of the Bishop. The structure only accommodated 230 persons in pews (two only being free), so that the poor have been practically excluded from church privileges. The new church is designed to afford accommodation, when complete, for 956 persons, the present contract being for the chancel and part only of the nave, sufficient to seat 550 persons, 180 being free. Messrs. Asahel P. Bell and George Freeth Roper are the architects (selected in competition), and Mr. Edward Hughes, Miller's Bridge, Liverpool, the builder. [Building News 28 April 1876 page 418 and illustration]

AINTREE - On Tuesday the new Church of St. Peter, Aintree, Liverpool, was consecrated. The church is designed in the style of the thirteenth century, and is simple in character throughout, both in plan and detail. It will consist, when complete, of a nave 26ft. wide, with north and south aisles, tower, forming north porch, north and south transepts and chancel, having the organ chamber on the north side, and double vestries on the south. The contractor has been Mr. Edward Hughes, of Bootle. Messrs. Asahel P. Bell and George Freeth Roper, of the Temple, London, and Royal Exchange, Manchester, are the architects. [Building News 23 November 1887 page 523]

Reference    Builder 6 May 1876 page 444-445
Reference    Building News 28 April 187 and illustration
Reference    Building News 23 November 1877 page 523

NOTE: The church as originally planned,  with tower and spire was never completed