St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Liverpool

Coordinates: 53°24′07″N 2°58′44″W / 53.402°N 2.979°W / 53.402; -2.979 St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church is a former church in Seel Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England now transformed into a restaurant and bar called Alma de Cuba - "the soul of Cuba".

St. Peter's was built in 1788 by Rev A.B. MacDonald of the Order of St Benedict (O.S.B.); the area was mostly rural at the time. The church survived as a Catholic building until 1976, after which it served the local Polish community for a short time. For this reason it is affectionately known as 'the Polish Church'.

Until its closure, St. Peter's was the oldest Catholic Church in Liverpool. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building.[1]

History

The exterior of the Alma de Cuba restaurant, in the former St Peter's Church, in 2012

Some milestones in St Peter's history include:

The Blitz

St Peter’s was damaged a number of times during the Blitz of 1940-1941. One example of the damage can be found in Fr Louis D’Andria’s letter of 22 December 1940 to the Abbot of Ampleforth Abbey (Fr Kevin H Byrne, O.S.B.). Referring to the previous night D’Andria wrote: ‘To the Guild Room – doors blown in, big balk of timber across the entrance, stairs covered with sticky chemicals and heaps of rubbish….To sacristy where sacristans were carrying on as usual despite a hole in the sacristy roof, and other damage. In the church Frs. Bruno and Chad were in the gallery examining a hole in the roof on the street side of the organ. Two more holes in the Lady Chapel, and a big stone in the sanctuary which had come through the skylight’.[6]

In D’Andria’s letter of 6 May 1941 he recounts events of Sunday 4 May 1941: ‘So it seemed the fire would spread to the church and the house. Bruno said we must clear out so we took the registers etc. into the road….I saw our roof definitely on fire.’ [6]

In his letter of 9 May 1941 D’Andria tells Fr Abbot (i.e. Fr Byrne, O.S.B.): ‘Church has notice ‘closed till further notice. Mass on Sunday at [Notre Dame Convent] Mount Pleasant.’ Suggest carrying on at St Peter’s but Bruno said it was impossible.’ The Church Notice Book recorded that ‘The church was too wrecked a condition for Mass after the first raids of the first week of May.’[6] D'Andria went on to quote his Rector, Fr Francis Bruno Dawson, O.S.B. who announced 'No Church, no congregation, no house, no school, no good staying here.'

Masses were eventually restored, with one weekday Mass from 25 May 1941 at 08:00, rising to two Masses the following week, and by 12 June (The Feast of Corpus Christi), three Masses were said.[6][23]

Damage to the priests’ house (St Peter’s Priory, 55 Seel Street) included complete destruction of the 3rd floor of the building and partial damage to the 2nd floor, and the repairs which were finally undertaken reinstated the 2nd floor, and not the 3rd floor. In total 7 bedrooms were destroyed, and only 3 remained, ‘two with rain pouring in, in bad weather’. On 11 September 1944 The [Liverpool] City Architect and Director of Housing reported that the 2nd floor was covered with a temporary lean-to corrugated iron roof which was "leaking badly", and that "the domestic servants’ sleeping accommodation is deplorable (one sleeps in the Kitchen and one in the Basement Air Raid Shelter)." [24]

Photographs which were taken in May 1941 by Dom Louis D’Andria, OSB, show significant damage to the Presbytery [25] and show the Sanctuary (Altar area) [26] covered in debris following an air raid.

St Peter's Church Guildhall was located on Park Lane, and was completely destroyed during a bombing raid in 1941.

Documents held by the Liverpool Records Office show the problems that the priests had in getting repairs to St Peter’s Church, school and the Presbytery completed following the war damage. There are correspondence with various builders and the War Damage Commission. These include correspondence showing differences of opinion between the Parish Priest, Fr Dawson, OSB, and some of those undertaking work which led (on one occasion in January 1945) to Fr Dawson throwing some men off site. Whether Fr Dawson was justified in his actions is not clear, but in a letter written to Fr Dawson on 28 January 1945 Fr Dawson is told that "My plaster left on Saturday, and refuses to return to the job. He wants his cards if I send him back." [24] In the case of the school roof repairs, leaks were evident in the school roof apparently due to faulty repairs. A letter written to Fr Dawson on 4 February 1945 states that "the fault is due not so much to faulty slates as to the fact that the roof timbers were not set and aligned previous to slating…the roll and drip gutter between the schools and church building should definitely have been renewed….the ridge lead still shows shrapnel holes.…to put the roof right by stripping, resetting and reslating would ….be a bigger job than the original one."[24]

During the 8 nights of the 1941 Liverpool Blitz beginning on 1 May 1941, almost 1,750 people in Liverpool were killed, ~90,000 houses were destroyed, and ~ 75,000 people made homeless. Many areas close to St Peter's were utterly destroyed, specifically the area around Paradise Street.[27][28]

Background

The following is an extract from the Press Account on the Centenary of St Peter's in 1888, and explains some of the history of Catholic churches in Liverpool leading up to the founding of St Peter's:

"In 1701, Father Gillibrand, S. J., Chaplain of the Squire of Crosby, established the first religious services held in the city for Catholics for upwards of a century. In 1707, he came to reside permanently in Liverpool. In 1736, Father Hardisty, S. J., built the first Catholic Chapel, in Edmund Street. It was demolished by a mob in 1746. While a new chapel was being built, under the guise of a warehouse, by a wealthy merchant, named Pippard, the Catholics met stealthily for worship in the house of a Mr. and Mrs. Green in Dale Street, and the only friends of the proscribed ones were two large-hearted and tolerant Presbyterians who lived in adjoining houses, and who helped the Papists to gain, without observation, access to their temporary place of meeting. The Mission was and is still called St. Mary's.

In 1783, it passed out of the hands of the Jesuits into those of another learned Order, that of St. Benedict. In 1758, the chapel in Edmund Street had been destroyed during a riot, and a new building took its place in Lumber Street, of which no trace remains, its place now being held in Highfield Street by the fine Church planned by Augustus Welby Pugin, when that great designer's influence was beginning to be felt in the revival of Gothic architecture. Father Archibald MacDonald, O.S.B., was the first Benedictine attached to St. Mary's, in 1783, and it was he, who in 1788, founded St. Peter's. One hundred years ago, the site of St. Peter's, now pressed by closely clustered dwellings, factories and warehouses, had a rural environment. The choice of the spot on which to build the new church incurred for the zealous monk the mild displeasure of his superiors, who suggested it was too far out of town. Still, there St. Peter's was built, and there it still stands to-day.

Prominent on the venerable church are white marble memorials of departed Priests, who have ministered there.

On the Founder's monument we read: " In the vaults of this chapel are deposited the remains of the Rev. Archibald MacDonald, who departed this life on the 29 July 1814, aged 78 years. The founder of this chapel, and for a period of 26 years its liberal, intelligent and revered pastor, to whose memory the Catholicks of Liverpool erect this monument.—R.I.P."

The other monuments are those of Father William Tarleton, O.S.B., who died in 1816 of typhus fever, caught while consoling the sick; Dr. James Appleton, O.S.B., D.D., who died a martyr of charity, in 1847; Father John Robinson, O.S.B, who died, deeply mourned by his flock, in 1837, and Father Vincent Glover, O.S.B, who died in 1840, aged 49.

Anecdote

There is a story retold concerning Fr Basil Primavesi who was Parish Priest at St Peter's from 1929 until his death in 1937. One night during his tenure:

"The church was even threatened with destruction by a great fire which seemed likely to cross Back Seel Street. Fr Basil, roused from sleep, went down, placed a medal of St. Benedict on the church wall and returned to bed. A change of wind followed and materially aided the task of the fire-engines which had arrived."[2]

Historical note

Church Street in Liverpool takes its name from the former St Peter's Church (now demolished) which was "the first church built in Lancashire after the Reformation".[29] Students of history should not confuse this church with St Peter's R.C. Church in Seel Street.

Alma de Cuba

Seating on the first floor of Alma de Cuba

St. Peter's Church is now the home of the Alma de Cuba (Spanish: "Soul of Cuba") restaurant and bar, which officially opened in September 2005.[30]

Alma de Cuba is focused on the food and culture of Cuba, although it also draws influence from other Hispanic and Latin American countries. Besides serving as a restaurant and bar, Alma de Cuba is also a popular live music and late night venue being situated near to the hub of Liverpool's nightlife - Concert Square. Alma de Cuba has seen international acclaim and has been awarded 'Best Bar', 'Best Restaurant' and 'UK's Best Venue' in 2008 and 2009.[31]

Art and artefacts within St Peter's Church and the Alma de Cuba

When St Peter's Church was converted into the Alma de Cuba, much of the interior was left as it was because of it being a Grade II Listed Building. Under the rules, if the removal of artefacts threatened damage to the integrity of the building it was forbidden. Thus much of the interior of St Peter's Church remains, as do the memorial tablets and (most significantly) the murals which were painted alongside the large picture of St Peter behind the altar.

Behind the altar in St Peter's there used to be a large picture of St Peter. This was removed from the church and is now stored at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.[32] The area where the picture was located has been replaced by a large mirror in the Alma de Cuba.

The statue of St Peter which was in the church, seated (in marble and bronze) is now displayed in the Crypt Chapel at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. This statue is a small copy of the much larger original in St Peter’s in Rome.

The free standing statue of St Benedict (which was in the church) is now located with the Benedictines at St Begh’s Priory in Whitehaven, Cumbria, whilst the large pieta is now installed at St Mary's Church in Chorley.[32]

A photographic record of the interior of St Peter's during its conversion was made by Joe McLoughlin on 8 January 2004.[33]

As mentioned above, St Peter’s was dominated by a large picture of St Peter. Photographic evidence shows that the words on the pediment above the picture have changed at least three times in the last century. In 1920 the booklet produced for the Grand Bazaar shows a photograph of the church with the wording on the pediment as "I am the Good Shepherd". A newspaper cutting from the Catholic Times from 4 March 1932 shows a sketch of the Sanctuary with the words "CHRIST THE KING" appearing on the pediment, and these words were certainly still in place for the 150th Anniversary in 1938 (as is evidenced by the photos taken by Fr D’Andria at the time). These specific words remain until at least the 1960s, and possibly beyond. Exactly when the wording changed to "TU ES PETRUS" (You are Peter) is not clear. The words "TU ES PETRUS" still appear on the pediment in the Alma de Cuba today. It is not clear if the words have changed more than the three times referenced, and evidence for further changes is being sought.

The puzzles of the Church Extensions

There appears to be no clear account of when the main extension to the church (listed as 1845 above) actually took place. This is remarkable as it is such a notable change in the Parish history. The situation is neatly summed in "A Century and a Half - Notes on St. Peter's (Seel Street) 1788-1938" by an author who clearly has access to the Parish Records:

"Even the year (of the extension) has been variously stated. Allanson[34] says 1845." (Fr Allanson wrote volumes on the English Benedictine History, and these were made available to the author by the then Abbot of Ampleforth). "The Centenary Commemoration says 1843. A note made about 1850 in a private account book mentions 1845. The Seel Street Guide (1868) gives 1846. However, the Church Notices book seemed decisive. On the last Sunday of Pentecost, 1845, the following was read: 'After to-day there will be no Mass either on Sundays or week-days in this chapel until the Sunday before Christmas when it will be again reopened for Divine Service...The Vestry will be opened every Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock as usual for baptisms.' The next notices are dated 4th Sunday of Advent, 1845. So between November 23 and December 21 is the time of the building of the new sanctuary."[2]

It is interesting to note that the "Official Handbook" of the Grand Bazaar (1920) makes no note of an extension around 1845, though this could just be an omission.

The "Official Handbook" of the Grand Bazaar also mentions an apparently earlier extension: "1817 - Opening of New extension of St Peter's, previously a part of Presbytery. Sermon preached by Father Baines, O.S.B., of Bath, regarded as principal pulpit orator of his day (Burke, p. 35)." In "A Century and a half..." the author states that Fr Robinson, O.S.B.'s, tenure (which began in 1816) saw many changes to the parish. "In his second year" therefore 1818 " the church was 'enlarged' according to several brief notices, but judging by the picture of 1810, this can only mean the addition of the porch and of the gallery. However, the alteration was important enough to cause a solemn reopening on November 27, 1812...". The date here of 1812 makes no sense, so is likely to be a typo for 1818. It is interesting that the author of "A Century and a half..." is unaware of any part of the Presbytery being used for the 1818 extension, though the authors of the Bazaar Handbook may have simply have made an error. It is also worth noting that the author of "A Century and a half..." again quotes Allanson's volumes regarding the extension around 1818 which state that "gallery enlarged and organ built over the altar."

It would appear then that there are at least two extensions to the church, one ~ 1818, and a later more significant one ~ 1845. However, the lack of clarity in the documents available and those referenced by the authors is a puzzle.

See also

References

The key references for most of the historical information listed in this article is:

  1. ↑ Historic England, "Church of St Peter (1073449)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 11 September 2013
  2. 1 2 3 4 A Century and a Half - Notes on St. Peter's (Seel Street) 1788-1938, published 1938
  3. ↑ Fr Francis Appleton's entry in the English Benedictine Congregation History
  4. ↑ Liverpool Records Office document number 282/PET/4/5 – "St Peter’s Seel Street, Parish Census Records (1934)"
  5. ↑ Photos held in Liverpool Records Office showing decorations to the streets around St Peter’s. References to the photos include photos around 352PSP/32/296/25 et al
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Coping With The Blitz - St Peter's, Seel Street, Liverpool 1940-41". Letters from Louis Joseph D'Andria O.S.B. to Kevin Herbert Byrne O.S.B. Published by North West Catholic History Society, 2000, and edited by John Davies. ISBN 0953102076.
  7. 1 2 Obituary to Fr Louis D'Andria, O.S.B.
  8. 1 2 The D'Andria Collection of materials in Liverpool Record Office
  9. ↑ List of St Peter's, Seel Street documents held at The Liverpool Record Office and Local History Service
  10. ↑ The Government News Network North West - Press Release November 2003 on development of St Peter's
  11. ↑ BBC News Report on Fr Brewer's remains being transferred to Ampleforth Abbey
  12. ↑ Liverpool Echo report on return of Fr Brewer's remains to Ampleforth Abbey - 6 January 2004
  13. ↑ Fr Bede Brewer's entry in the English Benedictine Congregation History
  14. 1 2 Yorkshire Post report on return of the bodies of Fr Bede Brewer and other Benedictine Monks to Ampleforth
  15. ↑ English Benedictine History Reference for James Calderbank O.S.B.
  16. ↑ English Benedictine History Reference for Denis Allerton O.S.B.
  17. ↑ English Benedictine History Reference for Benedict Glover O.S.B.
  18. ↑ English Benedictine History Reference for Francis Fairclough O.S.B.
  19. ↑ English Benedictine History Reference for Gregory Robinson O.S.B.
  20. ↑ English Benedictine History Reference for Joseph Glover O.S.B.
  21. 1 2 Private communication with the Archivist at Ampleforth Abbey
  22. ↑ Liverpool Echo report on purchase of Alma de Cuba by TGI Ltd - 20 June 2007
  23. ↑ "LRO 282 PET. St Peter’s Seel Street Notice Book, 1939-1943. 11, 18, 25 May, 1, 8 and 15 June 1941."
  24. 1 2 3 Liverpool Records Office document 720KIR/2900
  25. ↑ Liverpool Records Office Photos 352PSP/32/298/17 and 352PSP/32/298/18
  26. ↑ Liverpool Records Office Photo 352PSP/32/294/9
  27. ↑ Liverpool Echo: Liverpool May Blitz 1941
  28. ↑ "Liverpool One 70 years ago". Liverpool Blitz 70. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  29. ↑ St Peter's Church - Church Street
  30. ↑ "The History of Alma de Cuba". Alma de Cuba. Archived from the original on 19 October 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  31. ↑ "Best Venue". Alma de Cuba. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  32. 1 2 Private communication with the Liverpool Archdiocesan Archivist at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King
  33. ↑ Liverpool Records Office document 779.9942753 MACL - "The Roman Catholic Church of St. Peter, Seel Street, Liverpool, built in 1788 by the Benedictine Monks"
  34. ↑ Obituary of the English Benedictine Historian Fr Athanasius Allanson, O.S.B.
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