Sefton Church awarded the Marque of Excellence Award from the North West Multi-Faith Tourism Association

Apr 23 2009 by Janine Yaqoob, Crosby Herald

SEFTON Parish Church has scooped a coveted tourist award. The church, which is Sefton’s only Grade I listed building, has been rewarded for its positive tourist experience.

The High Sheriff of Liverpool presented Sefton Parish Church with the Marque of Excellence Award from the North West Multi-Faith Tourism Association on Easter Monday.

The award is given to sacred spaces such as Mosques, Cathedrals, Temples, Synagogues and Churches in the North West of England, that create a positive visitor experience, physically and spiritually, and that can demonstrate how the building is connected to the community historically and in the present day.

Sefton Parish Church, also known as Sefton St Helen, is more than 800 years old.

Rev Irene Cowell, from Sefton Parish Church, said: “This church is the only Grade 1 Listed building in the Borough of Sefton and probably the oldest building in the whole of Merseyside, but it is still a living place of worship.

“We love welcoming visitors to this amazing building. We hope that as well as enriching the experience of people who visit our Church as tourists, we can increase understanding between faith groups and the church’s place in the community.”