St Cyprians Parish Church History

Our St Cyprians building in Liverpool has lots of character and an amazing historical story.

St Cyprians was previously a Parish Church which was also known as Edge Hill Church. St Cyprians church is one of the city’s most historical landmarks; The church was established in 1879-81 and was originally founded as a mission church for the people of Edge Hill. A mission church is not locally self-funded but relies on the larger religious organisation to support it.

The church was an important part of Liverpool’s history as it showed the city’s community. St Cyprians church worked to support schools, charities, and before it closed offered events for local residents which included after-school clubs & help for adults in need.

The church was designed by Culshaw & Summers in 1881, a popular architectural firm known for its Gothic Revival style; this style was popular during the Victorian era. The architects of the firm were William Culshaw & Henry Sumners.

Early Years

In 1925, the church was badly damaged by a fire, and remained closed until 1931 when it was renovated and reopened. During the Second World War, the church again suffered significant damage by a German bomb at a nearby school but was once again restored to its former glory after the end of the war.

Recent Years

St Cyprians Church closed in 2006 after the last worshippers left as the housing around the church decreased significantly. Today, St Cyprians Church has undergone a transformation from a place of worship to student halls. In 2018, the church was turned into student accommodation by a third-party developer, which provided much-needed housing for students in Liverpool.

The building now two conjoined blocks; The Church and The Cube which houses 119 students each year. The buildings offer a range of studios, as well as penthouses and mezzanine apartments. All studios include a modern kitchen, en-suite bathroom, study area, and TV.

Since Xenia Students took over the letting and management of the building in 2019, a communal area was established to give students the opportunity to relax and socialise with fellow residents outside their studios.

Protecting the Church

The conversion of the building was achieved whilst still restoring many of its original features and character. The restoration preserved the church’s stained-glass windows and several other features, which added to the character of the new student accommodation building. The Cumbria clock company restored the external clock; they also worked on the World-Famous Big Ben at the Palace of Westminster!

The location of the student accommodation is ideal for students as it is in close proximity to Liverpool’s universities (University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, and Liverpool Hope University). The building is located within a short distance of Liverpool’s most famous landmarks and attractions such as the Beatles Museum, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Royal Albert Dock.

The church’s rich history and beautiful architecture make it an outstanding landmark, and features in tours of the city.

For more information or to arrange a viewing at St Cyprians, please contact liverpool@xeniastudents.com