Blaze-hit Liverpool church to stay shut for weeks

Apr 10 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

ONE of Liverpool’s most historic Catholic churches will be closed for weeks after it was damaged by smoke and fire, church officials said yesterday.

A fire on Tuesday night filled the 19th-century St Anthony of Egypt Church with smoke and ate into its sanctuary platform.

Insurance assessors have described the clean-up at the Scotland Road building as a “huge job”.

It is thought the fire was started when a 3ft candle that was left burning overnight bent over and fell to the floor.

Parish priest Father Graeme Dunne said it was a “miracle” the fire burnt itself out and greater damage to the Grade II listed building was avoided.

The interior of the church, including its intricately-painted altar statues, marble lecterns and dozens of pews, is covered in a layer of greasy soot.

Fr Dunne, 46, also said soot had made its way into the church’s organ.

He told the Daily Post: “It’s what looks to have been a God-send. If I can say, it’s a miracle.

“It must have been a major fire to burn through the wood.

“When I came in the church, it was just a fog. You could just about see the back of the church – it was like being on the moors on a foggy day.”

The nave and sanctuary carpets, both scorched by the flames, will need completely replacing and the wooden sanctuary platform was damaged. Assessors have advised the archdiocese to prepare to be closed for at least six weeks while the church is given a floor-to-ceiling deep clean.

At least two weddings and three funerals will have to be relocated.

The Scotland Road church, which was built in 1833, us- ually welcomes a congregat- tion of 150 worshippers on Sundays, and around a further 600 at other times.

Fr Dunne said St Anthony’s was one of the few Liverpool churches that was open to the public every day.

It is the first time the church has been closed since it was redecorated almost 15 years ago.

Father Dunne said he was hopeful he could keep his community together.

Sunday masses will be held at Our Lady of Reconciliation church, on Eldon Street, while the work is completed.

Midweek services will be held at both Our Lady of Reconciliation and Our Lady Immaculate, St Domingo Road.

Father Dunne added: “The assessor just said it’s a huge job. It’s a Grade II listed building – it’s not a case of just patching up a bit.”

benschofield