Decision made on future of St Thomas of Canterbury Church in St Helens

St Thomas of Canterbury Church on Greenfield Road, in Dentons Green, was opened again in November 2022, having been shut for more than two and a half years since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic.

The long-running closure had raised fears from parishioners over the church's future.

But the building was reopened for a provisional 12-month period from the start of Advent on November 27, last year, following a consultation.

The St Thomas of Canterbury parish has been overseen since the church's reopening by priest Father Michael Harwood, who also has responsibilities at St Mary's Lowe House, in the town centre, and St Julie's Church, in Eccleston.

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As the end of the one-year provisional period approached, a meeting was held at the Greenfield Road church on Wednesday, last week, October 18, to review progress. 

This was held by Father Philip Inch, Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Organisation and Synod Implementation at the Archdiocese of Liverpool, who had led the consultation ahead of the building's reopening last year.

The Greenfield Road church holds weekly Masses on Saturday evenings at 6pm. There is also a weekly Friday Mass at the church and two Masses on Holy Days of obligation.

The consultation last year heard Catholic parishes will need to work more closely together in future, amid a backdrop of decreasing priest numbers and congregations.

The archdiocese stated it may need to look to the future with "a different vision of Ministry".

St Thomas of Canterbury will remain open (Image: St Helens Council Planning Port)

According to a parish newsletter, 82 people turned attended the meeting "which showed the strength of support for the church remaining open and some very useful positive comments were made."

It added that during the meeting "it was emphasised that churches can only thrive with the support of the people by volunteering."

Following the meeting, Fr Inch made a recommendation to the Archbishop's Advisory Body to keep the Dentons Green church open, which has been accepted.

Fr Inch said: “Following the consultation meeting that took place on Wednesday, October 18, concerning the future of St Thomas of Canterbury Church, I’m delighted to announce that Archbishop Malcolm McMahon has accepted the recommendation that the church should remain open for public worship."

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon has accepted the recommendation to keep St Thomas of Canterbury open (Image: Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool)

St Thomas of Canterbury parish priest Fr Michael Harwood, added: “I would like to thank all of the parishioners of the church for everything they have done during the past 12 months and what they have committed to doing in the years ahead.”

The church is seeking volunteers for roles including for Eucharistic Ministers, sacristans, readers and welcomers.