The Churches' Anchorage
Albert Dock Liverpool
'That hope we hold, it is like an anchor for our lives,
an anchor safe and sure'
Hebrews 6:19
The Churches' Anchorage in Queen Elizabeth Hall, Albert Dock, Liverpool
is a joint ecumenical venture by the Churches of Merseyside.
It was opened on 4th. December 1993 by Archbishop Derek
Worlock (Roman Catholic), Bishop David Sheppard (Anglican) and Dr.
John Newton (Free Churches).
In Spring 1997 Liverpool Hope University College took the Queen
Elizabeth Hall at the Albert Dock and the Churches' Anchorage is
delighted to work in partnership with them and share, not only
ecumenical principles and vision for our city and our churches,
but also premises and facilities.
At the Churches' Anchorage we hope to express God's concern for all
His people and, through exhibitions and a warm welcome, to provide
a visible Church presence in the Albert Dock.
The Churches' Anchorage is also an information centre for the Churches
of Merseyside and provides a base for the Riverside Chaplain.
If you would like to be involved with the work of the Churches' Anchorage
as a volunteer staff member please ring the Anchorage at 0151 330 5901
and leave a message for Mrs. Pat Belvisi.
The Anchorage is open daily, including Sunday
10.30 am - 5.00 pm
The Anchor Pilgrims' Trail
The Anchor Pilgrims' Trail is a walk of discovery, penitence
and thanksgiving around the centre of Liverpool. It visits some
historical monuments, sites of Christian worship and reminders
of Christian action. The full text complete with map is available
free to visitors to the Anchorage and an album of photographs of
highlights of the walk is on view.
Liverpool is a multiracial, multicultural, multireligious
society, which has endured violent strife and extreme suffering.
The Anchorage is a symbol of the new life among local Christians.
Snippets from 'The Trail'
Albert Dock (1842-49) was one of the many built by Jesse
Hartley, out into the river. Until recently they were surrounded
by high walls, and busy with dockers, horses, wagons and railway
trains, moving vast loads of goods to and from ships and the
industrial North and Midlands.
Outside St Nicholas' Church at the Pier Head...
On the corner of the road below the churchyard is an
1885 drinking fountain commemorating William Simpson. His
relief work in Ireland and India was paid for by gifts left
in a bowl outside his refreshment rooms on the old landing
stage.
[The first recorded example of 'ScouseAid' ]
And in the 'leafy suburbs'
By the end of the 18c, Liverpool's wealthy sought health and
security in new developments outside the old town.
John Cragg, ironmaster, built the village and church of St Michael in
the Hamlet, off Aigburth Road (1814-15), his designs being influenced
by Gothic Revival pioneer Thomas Rickman, a Quaker. Cragg's expert use
of cast iron enabled a church interior of fairy lightness.
In its neighbourhood there now live students of the ecumenical
Liverpool Institute of Higher Education, owned jointly by Roman
Catholics and Anglicans, one of the main examples of present day local
co-operation.
