A new book has been published to mark 600 years of Catholic faith in Gillmoss, celebrating the rich religious and community life centred on St Swithin’s Catholic Church.

Titled “St Swithin’s Catholic Church, Gillmoss: A Celebration of 600 Years of the Catholic Faith in Gillmoss”, the 82-page book has been written by Kevin Roach in collaboration with the parishioners of St Swithin’s. Filled with photos and memories from parishioners, it tells the story of faith passed down through generations, reflecting on the parish’s enduring belief through times of change and challenge.

The book was formally launched on 14 December following Mass at Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, Stonebridge Lane, Croxteth, where the St Swithin’s parish community now worships. The foreword has been written by parish priest Fr Anthony Kelly, who reflects on the parish’s long history and continuing legacy.

St Swithin’s Catholic Church served the Gillmoss area from the eighteenth century, with the modern church building erected in the 1950s. Although the church closed in 2004, the parish lives on through its merged community in Croxteth.

In the book, Fr Anthony observed, “it is remarkable to think that the parish we celebrate in this booklet goes all the way back to 1410, with the first Mass celebrated in 1425 – still over 100 years prior to the beginning of the English Reformation.”

Author Kevin Roach commented: “For over 600 years, St. Swithin Church has grown into a flourishing community, shared in its faith, beliefs, and values; functioning as a spiritual family that worships together and supports each other. The people are what make St. Swithin’s, the parishioners who were and are living their faith. It is a community people have built up and take pride in.”

Published by Beatles Liverpool and More Ltd, the book is priced at £10, with all proceeds supporting church funds. It is available both at Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs’ piety stall, and online at BeatlesLiverpoolandMore.com.