Church of the Holy Family Adjoining Service Wing of Ince Blundell Hall

The Church of the Holy Family stands beside the service wing of Ince Blundell Hall, a large country house near the village of Ince Blundell in Merseyside. Built between 1858 and 1860, it was designed by J. J. Scoles for the Weld family, who had recently acquired the estate. The church serves both as a private chapel and as a public Roman Catholic parish church in the Archdiocese of Liverpool. It contains notable paintings by Gebhard Flatz and is recognised as a Grade II* listed building. The National Heritage List for England describes it as a particularly important building of more than special interest. The church’s architecture blends brick and stone with a slate roof, featuring a two-storey west front topped by a pediment and cross. Inside, the nave follows Quattrocento Italianate style with a coffered ceiling and painted decoration. The altarpiece is by Flatz, and the west window holds stained glass by Forrest of Liverpool from the 1860s. The interior also includes grisaille paintings by Flatz and memorial brasses, while the gallery at the west end is supported by Doric columns. The design closely matches the style of the hall’s interior, attributed to J. G. Crace. Visitors find a quiet, well-preserved church with a plain exterior and richly decorated interior. The nave’s five bays lead to an apse at the east end, with clerestory windows along the sides. The west front includes an enclosed porch with a turret, adding to the building’s character. Inside, the painted panels and stained glass create a serene yet striking atmosphere. The church remains an active place of worship and a fine example of 19th-century ecclesiastical design.