Historic church receives much-needed help for repairs

The landmark Church of Ss Peter, Paul and Philomena in New Brighton has been awarded over £200,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The church, popularly known as the Dome of Home, was awarded £210,200 from the fund this week. It was also awarded £20,000 by the National Churches Trust (NCT), one of 36 churches to receive a total of £607,000 in funding. The money will help pay for vital repair work to the roof, windows and brickwork.

The church was built in the 1930s, paid for by the Catholic population of the seaside resort of New Brighton. It acquired its nickname during the Second World War when sailors returning to Liverpool could spot the Church from the Mersey.

The church was closed in 2008 but reopened three years later under the auspices of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICRSS).

Canon Amaury Montjean, rector of the church, said: “We have been preparing for this project since October 2014. This has been an extra special week – to receive good news from both the Heritage Lottery Fund and National Churches Trust. We must also thank the Latin Mass Society, the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund and numerous individual donors for making this project possible.

“While developing this project, we tested a pilot webcam from the roof and were amazed when 15,666 people accessed our camera page on the May bank holiday to view Cunard’s Three Queens on the river. We hope this project will help many more people enjoy the views and realise that the Dome of Home is open for anyone, from 8am until 8pm.”CH

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