Church of St Cuthbert by the Forest

The Church of St Cuthbert by the Forest stands in the small village of Mouldsworth in Cheshire. It is an active Roman Catholic church designed by Liverpool architect F. X. Velarde. The building is a Grade II listed structure, recognised for its distinctive detached bell tower. The church combines elements of the Arts and Crafts movement with Gothic and Germanic influences. Its exterior is built of brick with artificial stone dressings and Staffordshire tile roofing. The church seats just 72 people, giving it an intimate feel. The church’s history begins with Mass first held in 1926 in a pavilion behind the Station Hotel. In the 1950s, the hotel owners donated land to the diocese, allowing the current church to be built. It opened in September 1955, officiated by Bishop John Murphy of Shrewsbury. The interior was reordered in 1976 to update its layout. The detached campanile, added later, contains electronic speakers under a copper roof. Inside, the nave features diaphragm arches and plastered ceilings. The windows use cathedral glass, with mullions carved with angels on both sides. The Stations of the Cross are carved wood from the South Tyrol. Behind the altar is a tabernacle shelf, and the narthex includes a small chapel. The brick bell tower stands nearly 13.4 metres high, topped with a copper pyramidal roof and cross. The church’s simple, thoughtful design reflects its modest scale and spiritual purpose.