A forgotten church may be brought back to life thanks to new plans.
The Church of Holy Cross on Hoylake Road on the edge of Birkenhead North and Bidston is a Grade II listed building. Built in 1959, the Catholic church was given listed status because it "was built to the designs of the distinguished church architect, Francis X Velarde, and is a good example of his work", according to Historic England.
Other reasons the church received Grade II listing was due to architectural interest and it "demonstrated a distillation of Romanesque and modern motifs that is unique to Velarde's work, along with showing a spatial inventiveness".
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The building was also "largely unaltered" and retained a variety of the original features. However, the landmark structure has been boarded up, collecting dust for a number of years.
Back in July 2021, the ECHO spoke to Bidston ward councillor Liz Grey who described the church as an "eyesore"
She told the ECHO at the time: "When it was first built it was a little controversial given its architecture, but it is no one's cup of tea when it is empty. I have found it deeply frustrating for the local community and I have tried to contact the church over possible uses.
"There are many amazing groups in the Bidston ward working to help feed people who are going through a difficult time and people who find themselves homeless. These groups are in desperate need of premises or bigger places to operate from, that church would be perfect.
"We have even had artists approach us about using the space, but we have no control over it and it is such a waste of an iconic building."
The ECHO also spoke to Father Michael Coughlan, the priest at the Parish of Holy Cross, Our Lady and St Paul's back in 2021. He said there were concerns over making the inside area safe in order to open it up for possible uses, but was hopeful it could be brought back into the community.
But it seems there is good news for people hoping to see the building brought back into use as the ECHO spoke to Father Coughlan for an update.
He said "initial plans" have now been drawn up and have gone to consultation.
Father Coughlan said: "Since we last spoke about Holy Cross church, we have drawn up initial plans and these have gone out to consultation with interested parties. Having received the feedback we are looking at those plans and drawing up the business case to apply for funding to make the project a reality."
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