THE demolition of a Catholic Church which was at the heart of a community for more than eight decades continues.

St Peter and St Paul's Church on Woodlands Road, Haresfinch, is being brought down.

As reported last year, an application was sent to the council last year seeking consent to flatten the former place of worship.

The church had served the community for more than eight decades, with the construction of the building having begun during the interwar period in 1938.

Recent photographs, submitted to the Star by Ian Webster, of the ongoing demolition show a section of the roof coming down and hitting the floor, showing the resultant dust cloud.

The church was closed by the Archdiocese of Liverpool in 2020.

A planning application had said the redundant buildings would be "at risk from vandalism and fire" if left unoccupied.

In 2020, during the Covid pandemic, the Archdiocese of Liverpool made the decision to close St Peter & St Paul's Church.

Readers expressed sadness at seeing the church building being bulldozed.

Pastoral provision for the parishioners is now provided at Holy Cross Church in the town centre, where Father Kevan O'Brien, formerly of St Peter & Paul's, is parish priest.

St Helens Star: The continuing demolition of St Peter & St Paul's The continuing demolition of St Peter & St Paul's (Image: Ian Webster)

Margaret Smith-Duffy wrote: "So, so sad to see this beautiful church being demolished.. I can't imagine Haresfinch without St Peter and Paul's church, lots of family weddings (including my own)... baptisms and family funerals... also my Uncle (Matt Teeling) was very involved in the upkeep of this place.. helping out whenever he could.. for many years.. x"

Margaret added: "So sad to see such a beautiful church being demolished lots of memories from being a child that went to st peters & Paul's school x".