Our Story

History of St Werburgh's

The first Catholic church on the Wirral

St Werburgh's was built between 1835 and 1837 and opened on the Feast of the Assumption, 15 August 1837 — the first post-Reformation Catholic church on the Wirral, and the mother-church from which the Catholic parishes of Birkenhead would grow.

St Werburgh's Church, Birkenhead

Through the Years

A Timeline

1835–1837

The church is built in pink sandstone and opens on 15 August 1837 — the first post-Reformation Catholic church on the Wirral.

1995

St Laurence's closes and its parish joins with St Werburgh's, forming the united parish of St Werburgh & St Laurence.

Today

The mother-church of Birkenhead continues to gather its parish family for daily and Sunday Mass — now live-streamed.

Read the full story

We have published a history of St Werburgh's, the mother-church of Birkenhead. Copies are available at the presbytery, price £5.

Enquire about a copy