CHURCH OF ENGLAND

Although none of Crosby's churches date from before 1800 (St Thomas's, Seaforth being the oldest), they form many of the landmarks in the area. The diversity of architecture found in Crosby is mirrored by the individuality of each place of worship. St Faith's is a popular and very active church near Merchant Taylor's School with a reputation of being "high church", whereas St Luke's on Liverpool Road is more evangelical.

Despite there being a large Catholic population in the area, Crosby has never experienced the sectarian divisions which were apparent in Liverpool and Bootle until the 1960's. Indeed in 1901, a woman was arrested on Hawthorne Road, Bootle for inciting a riot. The police argued that she was inciting violence by merely wearing an orange flower in a Catholic area.

Such intolerance was thankfully unknown in the Waterloo/Crosby area, and this spirit of co-operation is exemplified by the Crossroads Centre on Liverpool Road, run by the Crosby Union of Churches from the Anglican, Catholic and Methodist churches.

There is currently some doubt over the future of the Centre as the lease has not been renewed. It is to be hoped that this worthy meeting spot continues.