St. Francis Xavier, Liverpool

Introduction

Saint Francis Xavier Church in Liverpool is an important example of the alternative tradition to that of A. W. Pugin, and a good, largely unaltered example of J. J. Scoles' work. The church welcomes visitors every morning except Wednesday.

Architecture and furnishings

The church was built in 1845-9 and designed by J. J. Scoles. The church is built of stone with a slate roof. The church has a tower to the south west with a spire. The high altar and reredos are by S. J. Nicholl of white marble, with arcading and pinnacles.

The church has a Caen stone pulpit on the south side of the nave. The tabernacle doors are said to be by Conrad Dressler. The church has a wagon roof with iron ties. The nave has 7-bay arcades on slender marble columns, which are painted.

The north aisle has trefoil heads to confessional entries. The Lady chapel has apsidal ends to west and east, that to east forming an ambulatory with arcade on marble columns. The church has altar rails of coloured marble. A rood stands under the chancel arch.

The chapels have altars and reredoses similar to the High altar. The church has an elaborate stone font at the west end of the nave.