St Joseph's Church, Birkdale

St Joseph’s Church stands in York Road, Birkdale, a quiet part of Southport within the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton. Built in red brick with blue brick bands and sandstone dressings, the church was designed by E. W. Pugin and completed in 1867. A south aisle was added in 1875, giving the building its present shape. The church is listed at Grade II, recognising its special architectural interest. An attached presbytery, built in matching style, houses the parish priest. The church is worth visiting for its clear Gothic design and fine craftsmanship. The nave follows Early English style while the aisle shows Perpendicular details, creating a contrast inside one building. The chancel arch carries delicate foliated capitals and angel corbels, and the painted rood hangs above the nave. The only stained glass is in the east window, dating from the mid to late 19th century and likely by Hardman. The two-manual organ, built by Ainscough of Preston in 1875, was played by the Catholic composer John Lee in the 1930s. Inside, the arcade rests on octagonal sandstone piers and the aisle altar is richly carved with coloured stone shafts and a central canopy. The west gallery, made of pitch pine, frames the organ pipes behind the west window. The presbytery, with its sash windows and hipped slate roof, completes the group of Grade II listed buildings. Regular weekend Masses and parish events keep the church a living place of worship.