Historic weekend at Everton church

On the weekend of September 10 - 12, St Francis Xavier's Church in Liverpool will be taking part in the Heritage Open Days scheme.  The church will open from 9 - 4.30 each day, with a talk on its history at 2pm on each of the days.  On view will be some of the church's magnificent vestments.  Also, to commemorate the beatification of John Henry Newman, we will be displaying one of his birettas (a hat used during Mass) and some of his letters - one of which was a reply to a priest at SFX congratulating him on becoming a cardinal.

Brother Ken Vance SJ of SFX adds: 'To add further spice to the event we will be having a special talk on the Sunday afternoon at 3.30pm.  Cheniston Roland will be giving an illustrated talk at the church on Sir Charles Santley.  Santley was Queen Victoria's favourite singer who performed at her funeral.  He was also one of the first people to have his voice recorded, singing The Vicar of Bray.'

Charles Santley started his career in the 1860s in SFX choir and then moved to London, where he was a very popular opera singer.  Cheniston, an expert on early voice recordings, will be playing the Santley recording on one of his Victorian horned players.

Admission is free and refreshments will be on sale before the performance.


 SFX Church