St Philip & St Paul with Wesley

St Philip & St Paul with Wesley is a Grade II listed building.

The church of St Philip, as you see it from outside today, was consecrated by Bishop Ryle in January 1886, erected to serve new housing and to build a landmark church to stand at this new entrance to Southport. The church was designed by the Manchester based architect RF Tolson.

The 110ft tall square tower, which even today is clearly seen in the distance by vehicles approaching Southport from the east. Pevsner, the famous architectural historian, describes it as 'large and competent, in the style of the late 13th century'. 

The church building is built in the traditional shape of a cross, comprising a clerestoried nave, north and south aisles, north and south transepts, chancel, baptistery (now south entrance porch), vestry, and four stage tower to the south west corner which was constructed later. There are some beautiful stained glass windows and the chancel and chapel boast some exquisite woodwork. The church is constructed from buff rock faced sandstone. It has pitched roofs of blue Welsh slate and terracotta ridge tiles. The ceilings to the nave and chancel have barrel vaulted plasterwork, with some exposed timber structures in the chancel.

The church underwent major refurbishment in 2000, forming on the ground floor the Wesley Lounge, a creche Room, a kitchen and upstairs the St Paul’s Hall which is a spacious area for youth and community activities with a separate small Kitchen. The building is in constant use by the congregation, our school and wider community.