For the next month, Liverpool is allowing the public free entry into Heritage Trust buildings across the city that are generally closed to the public, so I jumped at the chance of visiting St Luke’s, the old bombed out church. The Church of England church sits on a hill dominating the landscape, right next to Chinatown.
St Luke’s Church was designed by John Foster and was completed by his son in 1831, and for a century this fantastic example of Gothic architecture was the focus of community life for those who lived and worked in the area.
On the 5th May 1941, St Luke’s was hit by an incendiary bomb dropped by the Luftwaffe during the seven day long Liverpool blitz. It is thought the bomb was intended for a secret munitions factory close to the church.
The fire in the church raged for seven days and seven nights, eventually leaving nothing more than the shell that remains today.
The stained glass windows were completely destroyed, except for two guardian angels that still remained despite the heat of the flames, along with the tiniest Liver bird in Liverpool. The bomb landed underneath the only skull gargoyle on the entire church.
The tiny Liver bird is right at the top of this window.
Our tour guide was an incredibly charismatic guy. He belongs to a group called Urban strawberry Lunch, who are a bunch of musicians who make instruments out of re-cycled rubbish. He and his band of merry men single handedly look after the remains of this church voluntarily. Amongst other things they pull off the ivy, rig up tarp to keep the water out and invite the community in to play live music, get married practice martial arts and meditate.
Two elderly ladies come in each week and take care of a little garden that they created where the bomb was dropped.
Down to the crypt.
Apparently, on two occasions since the bombing, planning permission has been approved allowing roads to be built through the church, but on both occasions protesters, including our tour guide prevented that from happening.
Inside the crypt
Our guide and his group are now trying to raise money to restore parts of the church. It does have electricity still and borrows the internet from a derelict building across the road!!!
After the fire an A and O, representing Alpha and Omega, remained in two tiny fragments of stained glass window, the beginning and the end. Local kids threw a stone through Omega….so I suppose the church will now always have a beginning…..and never an end, despite all previous attempts to destroy it.
So, after such a wonderful tour we had to round the day off with an Italian meal before we headed home.
Later that evening hubs and I were walking the dogs when I suddenly noticed a wood pigeon flying low across the road and cringed as it flew head first into a speeding car. A huge cloud of feathers erupted and I hoped to God that the bird had been killed outright and I wouldn’t have to pick up a broken and mangled creature hanging onto life.
The bird emerged from the cloud of feathers and slowly fell to the ground where it flapped about feebly. I picked it up and quickly checked it. No blood was coming from it’s beak nor was any blood visible on it’s body and there didn’t seem to be any obvious breaks in the wing or leg bones. I tucked it under my jacket to keep it calm and quickly got it home. As I put it in a cat carrier on a warm towel I saw that it was gaping which is always a sign of imminent death. I covered it with a towel and let it be.
A few hours later I had a quick peek at it. Amazingly it was now standing so I gave it a stick to roost on. It immediately hopped on, much to my surprise.
The next morning I must say I was surprised to find it alive and perky, and it had also eaten, drunk and pooped… I simply can’t believe it survived the impact of a head on collision with a car doing 70 mph, but so far so good. I took it to the rescue yesterday and it seems to be injury free apart from losing a lot of feathers.
So….it will have a few days of tlc, and then if all goes well with a test flight I shall be collecting it for release in my garden.
My little miracle bird…..I have my fingers crossed that this will be a happy ever after story.
The story of the church moves me. I do hope that it’ll be renovated some day, and be a home for those peaceful people who tended it and used it when it was left in ruins, and for the community all around. Your Italian meal looks delicious… still very much alive after you’ve eaten and gone… The poor bird. Your story explains why I’m never happy with miracles. Now it’ll continue life with post traumatic symptoms… Here’s hoping it’ll forget all about it, and only remember the angel who came straight from church to care for it in its hour of need. Actually, she looks pretty good in the picture.
I have high hopes for the church, I think it will be restored a little bit at a time, and it has a wonderful bunch of people fighting it’s cause.
I know what you mean about miracles, they are rarely as simple as they seem. But this little bird seems to have a strong will to survive, it could still fly, so after being built up a little in an aviary for a few weeks it was released and flew off well. I am amazed at the outcome and hope that it does forget it’s ordeal but avoids cars in the future. I think you’re right about the Angel following it from the church, something was certainly looking over it that day. I wish it well. Thanks Shimon.xxxx
Lovely pictures…. and what a story about the bombing and so on… Have been past that church several times in the long distant past and always appreciated it just being there like a huge terrarium and marvelled that nobody had torn it down…. great to know good things are happening in it! xxx
Thanks Arose, it is such a wonderful sight isn’t it, seeing it owning the hill….still.xxxx
Great and fascinating post, and you’ve just reminded me that I’ve missed this event in Lichfield which was held at the weekend…..grrrr! I forgot to put in down in diary…..durrrr! x
Thanks Suzy, oh what a shame, events here are on for a month so maybe there are still a few in your area. I do hope so.xxxx
What a fascinating post! Well done to your guide and all the others there for caring for the church and seeing off the road. It is heartening that the violence of war couldn’t completely destroy a place so precious to the community. I’m glad that so many creative activities are taking place there today.
The food looks delicious!
Great that you were there to save the Pigeon. What a tough little bird!
It’s wonderful to think that a few protesters can actually keep a building standing isn’t it, that’s real people power! And as you say, the building is used for all sorts so should be left as it is.
Oh the food….mmmmmmm
And yes, that little bird has my utmost respect! Thanks Wendy, I hope you enjoyed your break.xxxx
Lucky pigeon ! It’s a good thing you knew what to do. Most people would probably have assumed the worst and walked on by. Let us know how he fares.
I love the story of the group of musicians looking after the church. I recently saw a documentary on TV about an african group who play instruments made of recycled rubbish and they are brilliant ! I bet your local group make some interesting music too.
Hopefully one day some money will be raised to make the church more useable by the community. It would be a shame to let it fall down any further.
Another great post D 😀 xxx
Thanks Kegs, it really is a lucky little bird….and it’s still going strong.
This group of musicians have built all sorts of instruments that are around the church, they’ve made lots of bells out of car wheels and when you hit them with a hammer it sounds fantastic!
Your African musicians sound great too, I love people who think outside the box. I do hope they raise more money they are doing such a great job.xxxx
Oh yes….me too, it was sooooooooo tasty!!!
The bird is something else eh? who would have thought it could possibly survive.xxxx
I wish I had that meal here now it was so delicious, and the tour guide really was good wasn’t he. So glad the wood pigeon is ok, that really is a miracle x
Thanks Kath, it is a very intriguing church.xxxx
Lovely post as usual.Very intriuing photos
Both stories are amazing.
Thanks Susanne.xxxx
Fascinating post re: the church and and so very pleased to hear that the poor pigeon had a happy ending ~ at least, I hope that is still the case. You have such a lovely generous spirit and heart!
Ahhhh, thanks Val, you are far to kind. The little bird is still thriving and I’m really positive that it will be fine. Isn’t it amazing how such a tiny creature could survive such impact, and it was a head on collision. The lovely thing is these birds live over twenty years, so this one may out live me.
So pleased to hear the bird is still doing well! It is emarkable and so fortunate that you happened along at just that moment~ And I think, I am not being too kind in my praise to you , from all I have seen and read on your blog so far. You are a rare creature with a real compassion and empathy for all things . That is what the world in desperately in need of in my opinion. All your creatures are lucky to have you!
Awwww…..that is such a lovely thing to say. What a sweetheart you are.
I am pleased to say the bird is now flying around an aviary in preparation for release. A wonderful ending eh? Thanks Val.xxxx
Great post and images. Your damaged church reflects the feelings of Christchurch people (including yours truly) since the Christ Church Cathedral was virtually destroyed in the 2010/2011 earthquakes.
Ah yes….I remember seeing that on the news Peter and how heartbreaking it all was. Thanks xxxx
What a wonderful place the church is, such dedication – let’s hope it’ll remain standing and continue to be loved and tended.
You certainly have a lucky pigeon (good job you were there), here’s hoping it continues to do well and can be released.
Thank you for your lovely comments and welcome back, I really appreciate your comments.
Rose H
xx
Meeting out wonderful guide left me in no doubt that that church will always be cared for Rose ……
My little miracle bird is still going strong and just needs a little more time to build up it’s strength, I still can’t believe it’s still alive.
Thanks Rose….I had missed you and your delightful hedgehogs and other creatures.xxxx
First of all…that pigeon certainly picked the right person to have an accident in front of!:) What an incredible story….
I love the story about the church, and am so glad that no one got to put a road through it. We need places like that to be preserved as a reminder of our history…..and thank goodness for people like your guide.
Oh and that food looks delicious:)xxxx
Lol….yes Janet….the bird certainly chose a good time, but hey….incredible indeed when you think of the weight and speed of that car!
You would have loved the guide. He had such presence and a real twinkle in his eye. We were all enchanted by him….and what a wonderful job he and his band are doing. Yes, we have to keep such places especially as this one is so well used.
Lunch? to die for! Thanks Janet.xxxx
Two wonderful stories of revival and restoration, hopefully a good outcome for the pigeon and the volunteers manage to keep the shell of the church well maintained and of benefit to the community as a creative space.
That’s a nice way to put it Linda….two stories of revival and restoration, I hadn’t thought of that.
Yes, I wish the volunteers well and have my fingers and toes crossed for that little bird.xxxx
Great post – it’s a shame they couldn’t have made the church into some sort of war memorial similar to what they did in Coventry. A good story nevertheless. Poor old pigeon – they don’t seem to have much sense when it comes to traffic, lucky you were on the spot and even luckier that it survived – this pigeon obviously has nine lives – wonder how many it has used up so far!
It’s funny about that church, everyone is used to it and all scousers love it. It’s like a symbol, stating that some things won’t break and crumble, maybe like the human spirit….
Oh….pigeons and doves have no idea about roads do they…..I often have my heart in my mouth watching them. This one MUST have nine lives and MUST have used them all! Thanks Elaine.xxxx
Most interesting post! Thanks for sharing your ‘tour’ with us! Such iconic symbols to remind us of the ‘ravages of war’…..like we have in so many parts of Germany and France….Tragic…:yes: Hopefully, humans will learn.
Great post….
AND…a fabulous way to end off….lovely ‘italian fare’….:lalala:
Hugs! :)xx
Yes, the church is a reminder of war, but sadly, looking at the world today I’m not sure people will ever stop fighting, although I hope I’m wrong.
Ah yes….a lovely meal was had by all. Thanks Bushka.xxxx
What a magical tour through the church and its grounds, Dina! I love the angel windows and the sweet little garden; dear souls always seem to find places that need their healing touch. Thank you for sharing this and for saving yet another sweet pigeon. I love your happy-ending stories.
How true about the dear souls Kitty. Everywhere in life you find people tending to something and preserving things. The people who look after this church are wonderful and they are determined to keep the church at the heart of the local and extended community. The guide told us a little story. Last Christmas they played the film, It’s a wonderful life, the audience sat under the stars watching it, and it was freezing. As it began to snow in the film, it snowed in the church….everyone was sobbing! I don’t know if you’ve seen that film, but it is lovely.
I’m so happy that little bird is doing well after such a hideous ordeal. Thanks Kitty.xxxx
Oooh – that lunch looks scrummy! The bombed-out church reminds me of Coventry where a similar thing happened, but with a very different outcome. Being a cathedral helps, I s’pose! And as for your bird … I think you must be its guardian angel.
Lol….lunch was sooooo tasty!
Now this isn’t a cathedral, just a large Gothic church. The protesters are to thank for keeping the church safe…. in the sixties planning permission was dished out willy nilly with no thought for history. I’m glad it’s still there, it does dominate the skyline, it’s lovely looking up at it.
Ahhhh…I’d love to think I was that little’s birds guardian angel. The pleasure is all mine though, I was so happy to find it in one piece.xxxx
Another wonderful post ……. thank you again for sharing ~x~
Thanks Marian.xxxx
A most interesting post about the church with terrific photos, and I really like the garden.
The pigeon was lucky that you rescued it for some tlc. xx
Thanks Flighty, they don’t have water at the church so the ladies collect it from old drums the guide has rigged up to collect leaks….
That pigeon is something for sure….I don’t know how it’s still in one piece.xxxx
I’m very interested in how these damaged churches have seen used. In London we saw a church that was bombed during WW II with a garden planted between the old walls that was really lovely.
How lovely that a garden has been planted in the London church Jason, that’s the plan for this one too when funds are raised. After London, Liverpool was the most bombed city in the UK, because of it’s port connections. The night St Luke’s was bombed eleven other church’s were bombed too, six were rebuilt. xxxx
Glad that I came over from Jo’s ‘The Good Life’ blog as I live about 15 miles from Liverpool. Fascinating to see what lies behind the ruins of
St .Lukes which I’ve passed many times. Love the little garden 🙂
Lovely images of the church, even if only the outer walls are left and just the tiniest remnant of what must’ve been beautiful stained glass windows.
I must say that lunch looks absolutely scrumptious! And the recovery of that pigeon is amazing. Hopefully, it hasn’t suffered any internal injuries and will soon be flapping away. I wonder if birds remember their brush with death and try to avoid cars in the future…
It is a lovely building Nikki and so much goes on in there.
Ah yes, lunch was delicious, I had a tagliatelle with cheese, spinach, mushrooms and herbs….lovely it was.
I am still astonished to hear the bird is alive and well, having seen the impact I really don’t know how such a tiny creature could survive. My fear was internal injuries too, I mean it had to have something wrong with it, but apart from a bald patch it seems fine…. I do hope birds can remember this sort of accident….I hope so anyway. xxxx
Oh I hope the pigeon is OK. A very lucky bird indeed, if it can be safely released.
Thanks Rusty. If it makes it….fingers crossed, it’s nothing short of miraculous.xxxx
What a shame it would be if a road was to be built through the church, it’s survived against the odds and stood the test of time. You do seem to be in the right place at the right time where animals are concerned. Thank goodness you were about when the poor pigeon had his encounter with a car. I hope all goes to plan and that he’ll be released soon.
I am surprised the church still stands given what it’s been through, and clearly we can all survive without a road running through it. Good on the protesters!
Y’know, it was good timing for the woodpigeon, I’d planned on leaving an hour before but one thing after another came up….Thanks jo.xxxx