MASS was held at a Catholic church for the first time since it closed down more than two years ago.
The service was held in the small Day Chapel of Ss Peter and Paul’s – known to many as the “Dome of Home” – in New Brighton. So many parishioners turned up many had to stand outside during the service.
The scenes followed the closure of the church in August, 2008, and a lengthy campaign by local people to see the listed building re-opened for church services.
Some estimated 150 were crammed into the small chapel, while at least 50 followed the service from outside and received Communion on the church steps.
Among those attending was 95- year-old Ray Wareing, who had been a senior altar boy at the first-ever Mass held in Ss Peter and Paul’s when the church was opened in 1935.
He said he was thrilled, and added: “It’s come to fruition, it’s very lovely.”
John Allen, a parishioner and member of the campaign group Save Our Unique Landmark (Soul) said: “This is a high, but there have been real lows before.”
