Introduction
Welcome to the website of the parish of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas, the parish church of Liverpool. Whatever brings you here you are very welcome and we hope that not only will you have a good cyber visit but we will be able to welcome you in person at some point too!
We are a Church of England parish in the Diocese of Liverpool. A church has stood on this site since at least 1257AD and the present church dates from just after the Second World War (although the tower originates from the early nineteenth century). Our parish covers most of the city centre and docks, including Lime Street, the Albert Dock and the new “Liverpool One” development; in total over 16,000 people live within our boundaries.
The parish church has always served the civic and business communities in the city and today is reaching out to the increasing residential population as well. We aim to be a place of sanctuary, prayer and worship for the whole of Liverpool. Businesses and charities regularly hold carol and memorial services here and the Rector acts as an informal ‘chaplain’ to a number of firms, clubs, and organisations in the city.
The parish church has always stood in the catholic tradition of the Church of England. The Incarnation, when God assumes human flesh in Jesus Christ, demands that we take the physical very seriously, and see ‘matter’ as God’s chosen means of salvation. The sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Confession, Anointing, Marriage and Ordination) where water, oil, wine, bread and human touch are the vehicles of God’s presence are at the heart of our life. Morning and Evening Prayer and the Eucharist are celebrated daily in the parish and our celebration of the Sunday Parish Mass uses all our physical senses – sight, touch, sound, smell and taste to lift our hearts and minds in worship of the God who came to transform us through a human body. All are welcome in a church founded by one who associated with the poor, lowly, despised and unwelcome.