St. Charles Borromeo, Aigburth

Introduction

The first recorded baptism took place on 4th September 1892, of Joseph Francis Weston, baptised by Father D'Heurter.

History

In 1957 the parish acquired the Rivoli Cinema for social and educational purposes. A small area south of Dingle Lane was included in Saint Finbar's parish in 1960, and the Aigburth Vale and Mossley Hill portion was taken into Saint Thomas More's parish in 1964.

Architecture and furnishings

The architects of the second church were Pugin and Pugin, who designed it in Decorated Perpendicular Gothic with French Gothic influence. The church exterior is of Yorkshire pierpoint stone with red Runcorn stone dressings, and the tower is 95 feet high in three storeys. The interior walls are of white Stourton stone, and the nave has an open timber roof with massive beams. The open roof of the nave and ribbed vaulting of the chancel were decorated with symbols associated with the 2000 year long history of the Church.

The high altar was of polished alabaster with columns of Vert des Alpes marble, and the brass tabernacle was by Hardman and Powell of Birmingham. The altar and communion rail were the gifts of the Misses Baynes of Cressington in memory of their parents. The stained glass Rose Window, by Hardman and Powell, was erected in memory of Mrs. Annie Vicars. The Rosary Window (1912) was donated by John Baptist Eckes and his wife Anne Elizabeth and unveiled on 8th December 1912.

The Sacred Heart Window (1919) was donated by Charles Edward Mumford and his wife Harriet Mary. The Holy Family Window (1919) was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Francis Joseph Pearce and their children. A stained glass window of Our Lady of Lourdes was installed in 1919 in memory of Mrs. Catherine Mitchell and her brother John Delahunty. A window was given by Mr. Emile Purgold in memory of his two sons Raymond and Louis who died in August 1917.

Dean Patrick Cahill of Southport gave the stone Baptismal Font in 1895. Mr. Domingo de Larrinaga provided the organ, which was blessed and used for the first time on 23rd September 1900. A tablet to the memory of the twenty-eight men of the parish who died in the Great War was unveiled on 27th July 1925 by Major General Dupre. Two statues, one of Saint Charles Borromeo and one of Saint Anne, carved in sandstone, were given by Mrs. Annie Vicars in memory of her husband and blessed in 1901.

The Lady Altar and marble pulpit were the combined gift of Mrs. Purgold, Mrs. McGuinness and Mr. W. L. Roberts in memory of their brother Mr. Frank Roberts. The oak and cedar vesting press (1900) and the cupboard and lavabo (1901) were the gifts of Mr. William E. Nelson, J.P. and his wife Margaret. A chalice was given by Oscar Gautes of Freetown in memory of his son Richard who died 18th May 1907. Jelly and Co., Liverpool painted the nave walls in cream with a chocolate colour dado at a cost of £58, and in 1909 the Misses Baynes paid for the repainting of the sanctuary.

Chancel and side chapel floors are laid with parquetry. All other windows are leaded diamond-paned translucent glass with gold tinted borders. The altar was supported on Girotte de Sarto marble columns with moulded caps and bases. The altar and rail were the work of Boulton and Son, Cheltenham.

The Sacred Heart altar is of stone and marble with a bas relief of the heart surmounted by a crown and chalice, surrounded by the Crown of Thorns. The marble pedestals for the statues of Saint Joseph and Saint Charles Borromeo were given in memory of Mr. T.B. Maloney. Other statues, the donors unknown, are of Saint Anthony and Saint Teresa of Lisieux. Mrs. Annie Vicars's gifts included a safe, £500 towards the Church Fund and a silver chalice.

A chalice from James and Clara Reynolds, decorated with one large diamond surmounted by six amethysts and seedpearls, was given in memory of their children who died in childhood. The Christmas Crib is arranged in the Sacred Heart chapel against a dawn background, with six black sheep and five white. An Easter Garden is arranged in Our Lady's chapel. Part of the Moira Codd Memorial stained glass window from St Thomas More was installed in a light box in the church.

Music and liturgy

All music in Saint Charles' must be live and recorded music is not permitted. The parish organists can be engaged to play at funerals.

An adaptation of the Tenebrae service was introduced on Good Friday 2018. Bambinelli Sunday was introduced in 2018. A Scripture Conversation Group met for several years, discussing the Sunday readings and relating them to everyday life. A day of recollection was led in 2013, and another in 2016.

A Parish Mission Week was held in 2014, with eight members of the Legion of Mary visiting homes in Aigburth. In January 2017 Animate (the Archdiocesan Youth Ministry) organised a 'night of adoration, praise and worship' in the church open to the whole of the Archdiocese. The parish marked the tenth anniversary of a priest's ordination in June 2016. In December 2014 the parish celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the first Mass to be said in St Thomas More church.

Parish life

A Book of Remembrance is kept at the back of church and pages turned each day. A framed Memorial List is displayed at the back of church showing names of parishioners who have died in the current month.

Regular events

A special choir is formed for Christmas and Easter with extra singers invited to join and attend rehearsals. A Mass for bereaved families is held each November. The Neo-Catechumenal Community meets twice weekly, with scripture study on Wednesdays and Mass on Saturday evenings. Pilgrimages have been led to Poland, Rome and Assisi, the Holy Land and Lourdes.

In the Year of Mercy a very local pilgrimage was made to the Cathedral to enter through the Holy Door of Mercy. Families of children baptised in the previous eighteen months have been invited to a short service followed by refreshments to encourage continued contact. The Women's World Day of Prayer was held annually at St Thomas More.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish organises a Baptism Preparation Course which parents are obliged to attend, and godparents may also attend. Each family is presented with a set of prayer books, a card and a Baptismal Certificate.

The parish organises mandatory Marriage Preparation, with a modest fee expected to be covered by the couple. After a funeral date is arranged, a priest or deacon contacts the family to organise a meeting to plan the celebration. A family may decide to have their deceased relative received into the church on the eve of the funeral, with the body received during a short liturgy possibly followed by the Rosary.

Visiting

A memorial garden has been made near the church gate. Messy Church includes an interactive Liturgy in church with songs, a tambourine, and a chance to explore the church. Tea and coffee are served after Mass. 'Soup and a Roll' is offered after twelve o'clock Mass monthly.

The youth of the parish are well represented in the Archdiocesan Annual Lourdes Pilgrimage. The church interior has been re-painted and the flooring in the aisles has been stripped and re-polished.