The design of the new building was the work of a young London architect, who was later to achieve great fame - Mr. Giles Gilbert Scott (later to become Sir Giles) whose achievements included the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool.
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The old chapel was finally demolished, and the building of the new
church began. The site of the old chapel has now become the lawn in front
of the existing presbytery, and its far wall - the site of the old high
altar - has been retained, and can be seen where the shrine of Our Lady
Star of the Sea, now stands.
The design of the new building was the work of a young London architect, who was later to achieve great fame - Mr. Giles Gilbert Scott (later to become Sir Giles) whose achievements included the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool. |
| The church is, unusually, laid out on a east to west axis, so that the entry doors and narthex are at the east end, adjacent to the promenade. The interior of the Church is plain and simple so that all the attention is focused upon the High Altar at the west end, with its beautiful coloured and gilded triptych. The tower conveys the impression of mass and strength, whilst the three south facing windows, portraying the life of Christ, add to the height and proportion of the interior. Much of the stone used in the external walls was brought from Ballajora Quarry and inside the Church the masons were instructed to work with Horsforth Stone, Hard Bradford Stone, and Cefn Stone. |  |
Durable yet ornate Manx oak doors are used throughout the building, and the High Altar reredos is worthy of special mention. The triptych itself was made and carved by Mr. G Ratcliff, and Sir Giles Gilbert Scott commissioned Miss Burlison of Hampstead to paint three large pictorial panels within it, which depict the Last Supper, the Feeding of the Five Thousand and from the Old Testament, the Gathering of Manna. This is distinctively Scott in conception, and when, at Passiontide, the wing panels are closed over, they simply leave the stark unadorned throne for the crucifix. The motif 'Star of the Sea' is traced throughout - notably on the conopeum over the reredos, and again on the ceiling of the Lady Chapel, which contains a triptych of the Nativity in wood and gilt.
The stained glass windows were designed by James Hogan, and made by Powell's of Whitefriar's, London, and installed in 1932.
The Church cost £3,000 to build. The tower was financed by the Misses Matheson, at a cost of £l,000, and is dedicated to the memory of their father. The Presbytery cost a further £1,000. The Church bell, which is 6cwt., was a gift of Mr. T. Massey-Lynch of Blundellsands, in Lancashire.
The church was completed in 1910, and Father Walmsley took charge of
a flourishing School, a fine Church and a spacious presbytery.
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