Bombed Out Church gets set to light up Liverpool

One of Liverpool’s most famous landmarks can now be seen in a different light – millions of them in fact!

A new 3-G, architectural lighting system means the iconic St Luke’s Church (affectionately known as The Bombed Out Church) can be transformed by any colour in the spectrum from the touch of a button – anywhere in the world.

The dynamic, colour and visual effect changing installation – has been commissioned by Liverpool City Council to complete the £500,000 restoration of the 185-year-old, city centre church.

Designed and fitted by Liverpool lighting company, MJ Quinn, who used specialist electrical engineers and stone masons, the completion of the scheme also coincides with Historic England announcing today (Thursday, 26 October) that the Grade II* listed building has been removed from its Heritage at Risk register.

The early 19th century Gothic church, which sits within Liverpool’s World Heritage Site buffer zone, was burned out in the 1941 May Blitz in the Second World War and had been on the Register since its inception in 1999.

Its removal comes as a recent survey shows that almost £750m has been invested into historic assets within the city’s UNESCO approved site including the upgrade of 37 listed buildings since 2012, 18 with council financial assistance.

A special event to mark this achievement and the full re-opening of the church and gardens will be held at 10am on Thursday, 26 October with performances by Liverpool’s Pagoda Youth Orchestra Flower Drummers.

Earlier this year Liverpool City Council awarded a 30 year lease to “St Luke’s Bombed Out Church Ltd” to run the venue as a distinctive space for arts and events, that supports the vulnerable and provides opportunities for volunteering.

The appointment followed a public consultation on the future use of the much loved, city centre war memorial after the Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, made a commitment to secure its long term viability.

St Luke’s Bombed Out Church Ltd have set out a plan to invest in the venue which, subject to heritage funding, could include reinstating the balcony in the nave, mezzanine floors in the vestries and potentially a glazed canopy in the chancel with the nave remaining open to the elements.