Originally, the Catholics in the area prayed in the chapel of a nearby convent on Mount Vernon Street. With the Catholic population expanding, plans were drawn up for the construction of a church that would accommodate the increasing numbers. It was opened in 1886 and the core elements of the church, such as the nave and exterior, were designed by the architectural firm of George Goldie, Goldie, Child & Goldie Ltd. However two other firms also did work for the church. Augustus Pugin's firm, Pugin & Pugin, designed the sanctuary in the 1890s. Also, Sinnott, Powell & Sinnott, who also designed Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Seaforth, Merseyside built the church hall in 1894.[3]
There was originally an entrance to the church from Mount Vernon Street, but with the construction of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, the road became a private access for the hospital, and the entrance was blocked off. The main entrance is now on the other side of the church, along Low Hill.[3]
Parish
After 2000, the parish was merged with the nearby St. Michael's Church to become the parish of St. Michael and the Sacred Heart.
The church has a close relationship with the nearby Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, with the school frequently doing trips to the church and Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.[4]
With the high concentration of Catholic churches in the area, Sacred Heart has its Sunday Mass at a time not to conflict with the other churches, such as
St Francis Xavier Church. Its Mass for Sunday is on Saturday evening at 6:30 pm. St. Michael's church, in the parish, has its Sunday Mass at 10:30 am.[5]
Side view of church
Calvary Cross
View across Low Hill
Sanctuary by Pugin & Pugin
