Anglican Diocese of Liverpool

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Diocese of Liverpool

Dioecesis Liverpolitana
Diocese of Liverpool arms.svg
Coat of arms
Location
Ecclesiastical province York
Archdeaconries Liverpool, Knowsley and Sefton, St Helens and Warrington
Statistics
Parishes211
Churches257
Information
Cathedral Liverpool Cathedral
Language English
Current leadership
Bishop John Perumbalath, Bishop of Liverpool (on leave)
Ruth Worsley, Bishop of Wigan and Interim Bishop of Liverpool
Suffragan Ruth Worsley, Bishop of Wigan (interim bishop diocesan)
Bishop of Warrington (vacant)
Archdeacons
Website
https://liverpoolcofe.org/

The diocese of Liverpool is a diocese of the Church of England in North West England. The diocese covers Merseyside north of the River Mersey, south-west Lancashire, western Greater Manchester, and part of northern Cheshire. Liverpool Cathedral is the seat of the bishop of Liverpool, currently John Perumbalath, and the diocesan offices are also located in Liverpool. [1] The bishop is assisted by one suffragan bishop, the bishop of Warrington.

Contents

What is now the diocese of Liverpool was historically part of the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield, and became part of the newly created diocese of Chester in 1541. [2] The diocese of Liverpool was established on 9 April 1880. [3]

Bishops

The diocese's House of Bishops comprises the diocesan Bishop of Liverpool (John Perumbalath is on leave), [4] the suffragan Bishop of Warrington (vacant), and the honorary assistant bishop (since 1999) and pro-vice chancellor emeritus at Liverpool Hope University, Ian Stuart [5] [6] (a former Assistant Bishop of North Queensland.) Alternative episcopal oversight (for parishes in the diocese who reject the ministry of women priests) is provided by the provincial episcopal visitor (PEV) the Bishop of Beverley, Stephen Race. He is licensed as an honorary assistant bishop of the diocese in order to facilitate his work there.

On 28 February 2025, it was announced that Ruth Worsley was to become Interim Bishop of Liverpool (i.e. diocesan bishop ad interim) for a period of two years starting later in 2025; to facilitate this role, she was translated from Taunton to the vacant suffragan See of Wigan (becoming Bishop of Wigan) [7] on 4 April 2025. [8]

There are two retired bishops living in the diocese: [9]

In May 2016, it was announced that Susan Goff, Suffragan Bishop of Virginia, had been licensed as an honorary assistant bishop (called "Assisting Bishop of Liverpool") in the diocese, as part of the companion link with the American Episcopalian Diocese of Virginia. [10] In response, the Diocese of Akure, Nigeria, has indicated that they wish to end their part of the companion link. [11]

Pastoral reorganisation

The diocese is in the process of reorganising its parishes into larger units under the tagline 'Fit for Mission'. This occurred first in Wigan deanery, which now consists of one benefice and seven parishes where once there were twenty-nine. An independent report suggested that the impact on the spiritual life and financial health of the deanery has not been positive. [12] [13] Similar mergers have taken place in St Helens and West Derby (although these only included those parishes that did not opt out) and one is underway in Warrington. Other deaneries are at earlier stages of the process. [14]

Archdeaconries and deaneries

Diocese Archdeaconries Rural Deaneries
Diocese of Liverpool Archdeaconry of Liverpool Deanery of Liverpool North and Walton
Deanery of Liverpool South and Childwall
Deanery of Toxteth and Wavertree
Deanery of West Derby
Archdeaconry of St Helens & Warrington Deanery of St Helens
Deanery of Warrington
Deanery of Widnes
Deanery of Winwick
Deanery of Wigan
Archdeaconry of Knowsley & Sefton Deanery of Huyton
Deanery of North Meols
Deanery of Sefton North1
Deanery of Sefton South2
Deanery of Ormskirk

1named Sefton until 2012

2named Bootle until 2017

List of churches

Extra-parochial places

Archdeaconry of Knowsley and Sefton

Deanery of Huyton

  • Benefice and Parish of Earlsfield (population 12,007): St Mary's Church, Knowsley (1830, rebuilt 1844) --- St George's Church, Huyton (1958)
  • Benefice and Parish of Huyton (population 12,400): St Michael's Church (medieval)
  • Benefice and Parish of Huyton Quarry (population 9,497): St Gabriel's Church (1894)
  • Benefice and Parish of Kirkby (population 40,554): St Chad's Church (medieval chapel to Walton, rebuilt 1766, 1871) --- St Martin's Church, Kirkby Southdene (1955, rebuilt 1964) --- St Andrew's Church, Tower Hill, Kirkby (1960s, rebuilt 2002) --- St Mark's Church, Northwood, Kirkby (1950s, closed 2016)
  • Benefice and Parish of Prescot (population 14,526): St Mary's Church (medieval, rebuilt 1610) --- St Paul's Church (1956)
  • Benefice and Parish of Roby (population 15,410): St Bartholomew's Church (1850, rebuilt 1875) --- Trinity Local Ecumenical Partnership, Page Moss (LEP 1991, began 1934 as Methodist church, rebuilt 1961)
  • Benefice and Parish of West Derby St Luke and Stockbridge Village St Jude (population 17,263): St Luke's Church, West Derby (1948, rebuilt 1960) --- St Jude's Church, Stockbridge Village (1972, closed 2016)
  • Benefice and Parish of Whiston (population 9,402): St Nicholas' Church (1846, rebuilt 1868)

Deanery of North Meols

  • Benefice and Parish of Ainsdale (population 10,425): St John's Church (1882)
  • Benefice and Parish of Birkdale St James (population 5,238): St James's Church (1857)
  • Benefice and Parish of Birkdale St John (population 11,264): St John's Church (1890)
  • Benefice and Parish of Birkdale St Peter (population 6,143): St Peter's Church (1871)
  • Benefice of Kew (population 3,236): St Francis of Assisi's Church (1987, building 1997)
  • Benefice of North Meols
  • Benefice and Parish of Southport All Saints (population 5,910): All Saints' Church (1870, rebuilt 1980)
  • Benefice and Parish of Southport Christ Church (population 4,863): Christ Church (1821) --- St Andrew's Church (1872, closed 1976)
  • Benefice and Parish of Southport Emmanuel (population 10,208): Emmanuel Church (1898)
  • Benefice and Parish of Southport Holy Trinity (population 4,650): Holy Trinity Church (1837, rebuilt 1912)
  • Benefice and Parish of Southport St Luke (population 3,811): St Luke's Church (1880)
  • Benefice and Parish of Southport St Philip and St Paul (population 11,026): St Philip (and St Paul with Wesley) Local Ecumenical Partnership (1876, rebuilt 1887, LEP 2001) --- St Paul's Church (1864, closed 1980s)
  • Benefice and Parish of Southport St Simon and St Jude with All Souls (population 8,496): SS Simon & Jude's Church (1895) --- All Souls' Church (pre-1914, closed 2006)

Deanery of Ormskirk

  • Benefice and Parish of Aughton Christ Church (population 7,696): Christ Church (1867, parish church 1929)
  • Benefice of Aughton St Michael and Bickerstaffe
    • Parish of Aughton St Michael (population 4,624): St Michael's Church (medieval) --- Cottage Lane Mission Room (1888, closed)
    • Parish of Bickerstaffe (population 1,625): Holy Trinity Church (1843)
  • Benefice and Parish of Burscough Bridge (population 10,150): St John the Baptist's Church (1832) --- St Andrew's Church, New Lane (1903) --- St Cyprian's Mission Church, Hoscar (1767, closed C20th)
  • Benefice of Halsall, Lydiate and Downholland
  • Benefice and Parish of Newburgh (population 1,093): Christ Church (1857)
  • Benefice and Parish of Ormskirk (population 16,674): SS Peter & Paul's Church (medieval) --- St John the Divine's Chapel, Lathom (c. 1500)
  • Benefice and Parish of Rainford (population 7,805): All Saints' Church (medieval chapel to Prescot, re-established c. 1700, rebuilt 1878)
  • Benefice and Parish of Scarisbrick (population 3,405): St Mark's Church (1851, parish church 1869) --- Good Shepherd Mission Church (1907, closed 2022)
  • Benefice and Parish of Skelmersdale St Paul (population 10,300): St Paul's Church (1776, parish church 1856, rebuilt 1906) --- Skelmersdale Ecumenical Centre Local Ecumenical Partnership (1960s, building 1973)
  • Benefice and Parish of Up Holland and Dalton (population 33,583): St Thomas the Martyr's Church, Up Holland (medieval chapel to Wigan, parish church 1882) --- Church of Christ the Servant, Digmoor (1970) --- Oaks Church, Tanhouse, Skelmersdale (2004) --- St Michael & All Angels' Church, Dalton (1870, rebuilt 1877)
  • Benefice and Parish of Westhead (population 2,005): St James's Church (1851)

Deanery of Sefton North

  • Benefice and Parish of Aintree St Giles with St Peter (population 7,734): St Giles' Church (1938, rebuilt 1956) --- St Peter's Church (1846, rebuilt 1876, demolished 1999)
  • Benefice and Parish of Blundellsands St Michael (population 3,699): St Michael's Church (1907, rebuilt 1931)
  • Benefice and Parish of Blundellsands St Nicholas (population 8,391): St Nicholas' Church (1874)
  • Benefice of Formby Holy Trinity and Altcar
  • Benefice and Parish of Formby St Luke (population 4,970): St Luke's Church (medieval chapel to Walton, destroyed 1739, rebuilt 1854)
  • Benefice and Parish of Formby St Peter (population 10,274): St Peter's Church (1746)
  • Benefice and Parish of Great Crosby St Luke (population 9,661): St Luke's Church (1854) --- St Michael's Chapel (medieval chapel to Sefton, rebuilt 1774, demolished 1864)
  • Benefice and Parish of Hightown (population 1,972): St Stephen's Church (1914)
  • Benefice of Maghull and Melling
    • Parish of Maghull St Andrew (population 10,481): St Andrew's Church (1880) --- Maghull Chapel (medieval, ruined)
    • Parish of Maghull St James (population 4,679): St James's Church, Green Park, Maghull (1976)
    • Parish of Maghull St Peter (population 5,656): St Peter's Church (1951)
    • Parish of Melling (population 3,373): St Thomas & Holy Rood Church (medieval chapel to Halsall, rebuilt 1834)
  • Benefice and Parish of Thornton and Crosby All Saints with St Frideswide (population 10,950): All Saints' Church, Great Crosby (1934) --- St Frideswide's Church, Thornton (1961, demolished 2012)

Deanery of Sefton South (formerly Bootle)

  • Benefice and Parish of Bootle Christ Church (population 10,267): Christ Church (1866)
  • Benefice and Parish of Bootle St Matthew and St Leonard (population 19,921): St Matthew's Church (1887) --- St Leonard's Church (1889, destroyed 1941, rebuilt 1968) --- St Mary's Church (1827, destroyed 1940, rebuilt?) --- St Andrew's Church, Litherland (1903, closed 2019) --- St Thomas's Church, Seaforth (1815, redundant 1977) --- St John's Church (1866, closed)
  • Benefice of Great Crosby St Faith and Waterloo Park St Mary
    • Parish of Great Crosby St Faith (population 5,100): St Faith's Church (1900)
    • Parish of Waterloo Park (population 3,141): St Mary's Church (1887, building closed, meets in hall)
  • Benefice of Litherland and Orrell Hey
    • Parish of Litherland St Paul (population 8,611): St Paul's Church, Hatton Hill, Litherland (1964)
    • Parish of Litherland St Philip (population 12,418): St Philip's Church (1863)
    • Parish of Orrell Hey (population 8,050): SS John & James's Church (2015, built C20th as Presbyterian church) --- Old SS John & James's Church (1910, demolished 2010)
  • Benefice of Netherton and Sefton
  • Benefice and Parish of Waterloo (population 5,989): Christ Church (C20th) --- Old Christ Church (1840, rebuilt 1899, redundant 1982) --- St John's Church (1865, building closed 2006, services in hall/school until 2020)

Archdeaconry of Liverpool

Deanery of Liverpool North and Walton

  • Benefice and Parish of Anfield St Columba (population 7,197): St Columba's Church (1932)
  • Benefice and Parish of Anfield St Margaret (population 3,515): St Margaret's Church (1873, rebuilt 1965)
  • Benefice and Parish of Everton St George (population 3,820): St George's Church (1814) --- Christ Church (1848, destroyed 1941) --- St Chad's Church (1881, closed 1971) --- St Benedict's Church (1887, closed 1970, demolished 1976)
  • Benefice and Parish of Everton St Peter with St John Chrysostom (population 8,240): St Peter's Church (1850, destroyed 1942, rebuilt 1974) --- St John Chrysostom's Church (1837, rebuilt 1853, 1975) --- Emmanuel Church (1867, demolished 1974) --- St John the Evangelist's Church (1890, closed 1975) --- St Ambrose's Church (1870, rebuilt 1961, closed) --- St Timothy's Church (1862, closed 1957) --- St Polycarp's Church (1886, closed 1974) --- St Augustine's Church (1830, destroyed 1941) --- All Saints' New Church, Liverpool (1835, rebuilt 1847, closed 1937, demolished 1961) --- Holy Trinity Church, Liverpool (1792, closed 1968) --- All Saints' Old Church, Liverpool (1798, sold 1842)
  • Benefice and Parish of Fazakerley (population 20,255): Emmanuel Church (1901) --- St Paul's Church (C20th) --- St George's Church, Sparrow Hall, Fazakerley (C20th, closed)
  • Benefice and Parish of Kirkdale St Athanasius with St Mary (population 11,454): St Athanasius' Church (1882, destroyed 1941, rebuilt 1957) --- St Mary's Church (1836, closed 1973) --- All Souls' Church, Vauxhall (1853, closed 1923) --- St Alban's Church, Liverpool (1850, destroyed 1941) --- Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Vauxhall (1829, destroyed 1941) --- St Bartholomew's Church, Vauxhall (1841, closed 1929) --- St Matthew's New Church (1848, built as Presbyterian church, closed 1929) --- St Aidan's Church (1855, rebuilt 1861, resited 1875, demolished 1960s) --- St James the Less's Church (1863, closed 1940s) --- St Asaph's Welsh Church (c. 1882, closed) --- St Titus' Church, Vauxhall (1865, closed 1918)
  • Benefice and Parish of Kirkdale St Lawrence with St Paul (population 5,470): St Lawrence's Church (1873, rebuilt 1980s) --- St Paul's Church (1859, parish church 1868, rebuilt 1973)
  • Benefice and Parish of Liverpool All Saints (population 23,050): St Mary's Church, Edge Hill (1813) --- St Philip's New Church (1886) --- St David's Welsh Church, Kensington (1910, demolished 1975) --- Christ Church, Kensington (1870, closed 1975) --- St John the Divine's Church, Fairfield (1853, closed 2008) --- St Silas' Church (1841, demolished 1942) --- St Jude's Church (1831, closed 1965) --- St Cyprian's Church, Edge Hill (1881, closed 2008)
  • Benefice and Parish of Liverpool Our Lady & St Nicholas (population 13,998): SS Mary & Nicholas' Church (medieval chapel to Walton, parish church 1699, mostly rebuilt 1774, destroyed 1940, rebuilt 1952) --- St Peter's Church (1700, pro-cathedral 1880-1904, demolished 1922) --- St George's Church (1732, rebuilt 1825, demolished 1897) --- St Paul's Church (1769, closed 1910, demolished 1932) --- St Anne's Church (1772, rebuilt 1871, closed 1971) --- St Catherine's Church (1775, previously Nonconformist, sold 1792) --- St Mary's Church (1776, previously Nonconformist, sold c. 1795) --- St John the Baptist's Church (1783, demolished 1898) --- St Stephen's Church (1792, used Baptist church built 1722, rebuilt 1871, closed 1937) --- St Matthew's Old Church (1798, previously Presbyterian, sold 1849) --- Christ Church (1800, built 1797 as independent, closed 1965) --- Mariners' Floating Church (1827, sunk 1872) --- St Matthias' Church, Vauxhall (1834, resited 1848, closed 1949) --- St John the Evangelist's Church (1841, building 1826, abandoned 1853) --- St Mary Magdalene's Church (1862, closed 1929)
  • Benefice and Parish of Walton Breck (population 12,929): Holy Trinity Church (1847) --- Christ Church (1987) --- St Saviour's Church, Everton (1867, rebuilt 1870, closed 1987) --- St Cuthbert's Church, Everton (1877, closed 1970) --- SS Simon & Jude's Church, Anfield (1883, rebuilt 1895, demolished 1987)
  • Benefice and Parish of Walton-on-the-Hill St John (population 12,532): St John the Evangelist's Church (1880)
  • Benefice and Parish of Walton-on-the-Hill St Luke (population 5,420): St Luke the Evangelist's Church (1882, rebuilt 1901)
  • Benefice and Parish of Walton-on-the-Hill St Mary St Aidan St Nathanael (population 20,330): St Mary's Church (medieval, rebuilt 1810, 1832/43, destroyed except tower 1940, rebuilt 1953) --- St Aidan's Church (1909) --- St Nathanael's Church (1909)

Deanery of Liverpool South and Childwall

Deanery of Toxteth and Wavertree

  • Benefice and Parish of Dingle (population 9,349): St Gabriel's Church, Toxteth (1878) --- St Cleopas' Church, Toxteth (1865) --- St Thomas's Church, Toxteth (1841, closed 1946)
  • Benefice and Parish of Liverpool St James in the City (population 0): St James's Church (1775, parish church 1844, redundant 1974, reopened 2010)
  • Benefice and Parish of Liverpool St Luke in the City (population 24,829): St Bride's Church (1830) --- St Dunstan's Church, Edge Hill (1889) --- St Michael's Church (1826, destroyed 1941, rebuilt 1960) --- St Luke's Church (1831, mostly destroyed 1941) --- St Thomas's Church (1750, demolished 1905) --- St Catherine's Church, Abercromby Square, Liverpool (1831, demolished 1966) --- St Saviour's Church (1840, rebuilt 1901, closed 1971) --- St Catherine's Church, Edge Hill (1863, closed 1973) --- St Stephen the Martyr's, Edge Hill (1851, resited 1881, closed 1981) --- St Columba's Church (1858, building old Wesleyan chapel, closed 1930) --- St David's Old Welsh Church (1827, closed 1910) --- St Andrew's Old Church (1815, closed 1892) --- St Philip's Old Church (1816, sold 1882) --- St Mark's Old Church (1803, closed 1908, demolished 1913) --- Holy Innocents' Church (1854, built 1861, closed 1934) --- St Nathaniel's Church, West Derby (1869, rebuilt 1902, closed 1980) --- St Barnabas' Church, Toxteth (1841, demolished 1894) --- St Simon's Church (1836, building 1841 (old Dissenting chapel), rebuilt 1848, 1872, closed) --- St Mary's Church for the Blind (1819, resited 1850, closed 1927)
  • Benefice and Parish of Toxteth St Bede and St Clement (population 8,881): St Bede's Church (1882, rebuilt 1886, 1924) --- St Clement's Church (1841) --- All Saints' Church (1882, closed 1972) --- St Deiniol's Welsh Church (1894, closed)
  • Benefice and Parish of Toxteth St Margaret (population 4,023): St Margaret of Antioch's Church (1869)
  • Benefice and Parish of Toxteth St Philemon (population 11,301): St Philemon's Church (1874) --- Holy Trinity Church (1858, closed 1940) --- St Matthew's Church (1851, closed 1931) --- St John the Baptist's Church (1832, demolished 1960) --- St Silas' Church (1865, closed 1952) --- St Paul's Church (1848, demolished 1970)
  • Benefice of Toxteth Park Christ Church St Michael
    • Parish of Toxteth Park Christ Church (population 5,386): Christ Church (1871)
    • Parish of Toxteth Park St Michael-in-The-Hamlet with St Andrew (population 8,727): St Michael's Church, Aigburth (1815) --- St Andrew's New Church, Toxteth (1893, closed)
  • Benefice and Parish of Toxteth Park SS Agnes & Pancras (population 5,739): St Agnes' Church (1885) --- St Pancras' Chapel, Sefton Park (1906, closed 1937)
  • Benefice and Parish of Wavertree Holy Trinity (population 7,591): Holy Trinity Church (1794, parish church 1867)
  • Benefice and Parish of Wavertree St Bridget (population 10,869): St Bridget's Church (1872, parish church 1901) --- St Thomas's Church (1896, rebuilt 1909, closed)
  • Benefice and Parish of Wavertree St Mary (population 7,763): St Mary's Old Church (1855, destroyed 1940s) --- St Mary's New Church (built 1873 as Methodist church, sold to CoE 1952)

Deanery of West Derby

Archdeaconry of St Helens and Warrington

Deanery of St Helens

  • Benefice of Eccleston
    • Parish of Eccleston St James with St Matthew (population 9,428): St James's Church, Eccleston Park (1923, rebuilt and dedicated 1961) --- St Matthew's Church, Thatto Heath (1950s)
    • Parish of Eccleston St Luke (population 7,995): St Luke's Church (1931)
    • Parish of Ravenhead (population 11,354): St John the Evangelist's Church (1869) --- Emmanuel Church (1965, closed 2016)
  • Benefice and Parish of Haydock St Mark (population 7,828): St Mark's Church (1905, built 1910)
  • Benefice and Parish of Parr (population 7,953): St Peter's Church (1844, rebuilt 1865)
  • Benefice and Parish of Rainhill (population 15,143): St Ann's Church (1837)
  • Benefice and Parish of St Helens (population 67,175): St Paul's Church, Blackbrook (1972) --- St David's Church, Carr Mill (1938, rebuilt 1957) --- St Philip's Church, Derbyshire Hill (C19th/20th) --- Christ Church, Eccleston (1838) --- St Thomas's Church, Eccleston (1839) --- Moss Bank Mission Church (1855) --- Holy Trinity Church, Parr Mount (1863) --- St Andrew's Church (1908) --- St Helen's Church (medieval chapel to Prescot of St Helen's, rebuilt 1816 as St Mary's, rebuilt 1926 as St Helen's) --- All Saints' Church, Sutton (1893) --- St Michael and All Angels' Church, Sutton (1952) --- St Nicholas' Church, Sutton (1849) --- St Mary's Mission Church (C19th, closed 1972) --- Barton Street Mission Church (C19th, closed 2010s) --- St Paul's Mission Church, Eccleston (1881, closed C20th) --- St Thomas of Canterbury's Chapel, Windleshaw (medieval, ruined C16th)
  • Benefice and Parish of St Helens North Road (population 5,652): St Mark's Church (1885)

Deanery of Warrington

  • Benefice and Parish of Orford St Andrew (population 9,633): St Andrew's Church (1950s, built 1963)
  • Benefice and Parish of Orford St Margaret and All Hallows (population 7,294): St Margaret & All Hallows' Church (1884, built 1909)
  • Benefice of Warrington East
    • Parish of Birchwood and Woolston (population 17,537): Church of the Transfiguration, Birchwood (1978) --- Church of the Ascension, Woolston (1970)
    • Parish of Cinnamon Brow (population 8,870): Resurrection Local Ecumenical Partnership (1988, closed 2022)
    • Parish of Padgate (population 9,215): Christ Church & Church Collective (1838, merger 2025) --- Church Collective (2021, merged 2025)
  • Benefice of Warrington Holy Trinity St Ann
    • Parish of Warrington Holy Trinity (population 3,196): Holy Trinity Church (1709, rebuilt 1760)
    • Parish of Warrington St Ann (population 5,365): St Ann's Church (1864, built 1868, rebuilt 2000)
  • Benefice and Parish of Warrington St Barnabas (population 10,588): St Barnabas' Church, Bank Quay (1879) --- Bank Quay Mission Church (1870, closed 1910s)
  • Benefice and Parish of Warrington St Elphin (population 12,514): St Elphin's Church (medieval) --- Central Church Warrington Bishop's Mission Order (2022, building 2025) --- St Peter's Church (1874, rebuilt 1890, closed 1978) --- St Luke's Church (1893, closed 1986) --- St Paul's Church (1830, closed 1980) --- St Clement's Mission Church (1897, closed C20th) --- St George's Mission Church (C19th, closed C20th)
  • Benefice of Warrington West
    • Parish of Great Sankey (population 14,395): St Mary's Church (1728, chapel C17th, dedicated 1769)
    • Parish of Penketh (population 8,035): St Paul's Church (1889, rebuilt 1971, 2019)
    • Parish of Westbrook St James (population 12,377): St James's Church (1990)
    • Parish of Westbrook St Philip (population 12,259): St Philip's Local Ecumenical Partnership (1981, building 1989)

Deanery of Widnes

  • Benefice and Parish of Ditton St Michael with St Thomas (population 15,476): St Michael's Church (1870) --- St Thomas's Local Ecumenical Partnership, Ball o' Ditton (1980, closed 2004)
  • Benefice of East Widnes
  • Benefice and Parish of Hough Green (population 8,748): All Saints' Church, Ditton (1983, shared building with R.C.s, closed 2024, building remains as R. C. church)
  • Benefice of South Widnes
  • Benefice and Parish of Widnes St John and St Paul (population 13,777): St John's Church (1904, resited 1963) --- St Paul's Church (1884)

Deanery of Wigan

Deanery of Winwick

  • Benefice and Parish of Burtonwood (population 3,775): St Michael's Church (1606, rebuilt)
  • Benefice of Glazebury with Hollinfare
    • Parish of Glazebury (population 1,274): All Saints' Church (1851)
    • Parish of Hollinfare (population 2,009): St Helen's Church (medieval chapel to Warrington, rebuilt c. 1700)
  • Benefice and Parish of Haydock St James (population 8,200): St James's Church (1837, built 1866, parish church 1869)
  • Benefice of Lowton and Golborne
    • Parish of Golborne (population 10,235): St Thomas's Church (1850)
    • Parish of Lowton St Luke (population 10,645): St Luke's Church (1732, parish church 1845)
    • Parish of Lowton St Mary (population 4,808): St Mary's Church (1861)
  • Benefice of Newchurch Culcheth with Croft
    • Parish of Croft with Southworth (population 1,980): Christ Church, Croft (1833, parish church 1845)
    • Parish of Newchurch (population 8,715): Holy Trinity Church, Culcheth (medieval chapel to Winwick, rebuilt 1743, parish church 1845, rebuilt 1905)
  • Benefice of Newton
    • Parish of Earlestown (population 5,901): St John the Baptist's Church (1879) --- St Philip's Mission Church (1916, closed C20th)
    • Parish of Newton-in-Makerfield All Saints (population 5,629): All Saints' Church (1914)
    • Parish of Newton-in-Makerfield Emmanuel (population 6,818): Emmanuel Church (1841, parish church 1845)
    • Parish of Newton-in-Makerfield St Peter (population 7,075): St Peter's Church (medieval chapel to Winwick, rebuilt 1684, parish church 1845)
  • Benefice and Parish of Winwick (population 2,426): St Oswald's Church (medieval)

On the Wirral (Chester diocese)

  • Tranmere church (1831)
  • Liscard Church, Egremont (1833)
  • St Peter's, Rock Ferry (1842)
  • Christ Church, Claughton (1849)
  • St James's, New Brighton (1854)
  • St Paul's, Tranmere (1854)
  • Christ Church, Bebington (1857)
  • St Paul's, Lower Tranmere (1857)
  • Wallasey church (rebuilt 1859)
  • Moreton new church (1863)
  • St Paul's, Birkenhead (1863)
  • St Peter's, Birkenhead (1868)
  • St Mary's, Liscard (1876)
  • St Catherine's, Birkenhead (1876)
  • St John's, Great Sutton, Eastham (1878)
  • St Luke's, Lower Tranmere (1881)
  • St Matthew's, Birkenhead (1888)
  • St Mark's, Claughton (1891)
  • Port Sunlight church (1904)
  • St Nicholas, Wallasey (1911)

Progression of church numbers

PeriodAdditionsClosuresTotal at end
MedievalAltcar, Ashton, Aughton, Childwall, Crosby, Culcheth, Farnworth, Formby, Garston, Hale, Halsall, Hollinfare, Huyton, Kirkby, Lathom, Liverpool, Lydiate, Maghull, Melling, Newton, North Meols, Ormskirk, Prescot, Rainford, St Helens, Sefton, Upholland, Walton, Warrington, West Derby, Wigan, Windleshaw, Winwick33
ReformationBillinge, BurtonwoodLydiate, Maghull, Rainford, Windleshaw31
C17thHindley32
1700sLpl St Peter, Rainford, Warrington Trinity35
1720sGreat Sankey36
1730sLpl St George, Lowton38
1750sLpl St Thomas39
1760sHoscar, Lpl St Paul41
1770sLpl St Anne, Lpl St Catherine, Lpl St James, Lpl St Mary, Skelmersdale46
1780sLpl St John the Baptist, Wigan St George48
1790sLpl All SS, Lpl St Matthew, Lpl St Stephen, Lpl Trinity, WavertreeLpl St Catherine, Lpl St Mary51
1800sLpl Christ Ch, Lpl St Mark53
1810sAigburth, Everton, Lpl Blind, Lpl St Andrew, Lpl St Mary, Lpl St Philip, Seaforth60
1820sBootle, Lpl Mariners, Lpl St David, Lpl St Martin, Lpl St Michael, Southport, Woolton67
1830sAbram, Aigburth St Anne, Ashton Trinity, Burscough Bridge, Croft, Crossens, Eccleston Christ Ch, Eccleston St Thomas, Haigh, Halewood, Haydock, Kirkdale, Knotty Ash, Knowsley, Lpl St Augustine, Lpl St Bride, Lpl St Catherine, Lpl St Chrysostom, Lpl St Jude, Lpl St Luke, Lpl St Matthias, Lpl St Simon, Old Swan, Padgate, Pemberton, Rainhill, Southport Trinity, Toxteth St John the Baptist, Warrington St Paul96
1840sAintree, Bickerstaffe, Everton Christ Ch, Lpl St Barnabas, Lpl St Bartholomew, Lpl St Clement, Lpl St John, Lpl St Saviour, Lpl St Silas, Lydiate, Newton Emmanuel, Parr, Sutton, Toxteth St Paul, Toxteth St Thomas, Walton Trinity, Waterloo, West Derby St James, Whiston, Wigan St CatharineLpl St John115
1850sBirkdale, Crosby St Luke, Edge Hill St Stephen, Everton St Peter, Fairfield, Formby St Luke, Glazebury, Golborne, Grassendale, Kirkdale St Paul, Lpl St Aidan, Lpl St Alban, Lpl All Souls, Lpl St Columba, Lpl Holy Innocents, Moss Bank, Newburgh, Pennington Green?, Roby, Scarisbrick, Toxteth St Matthew, Toxteth Trinity, Wavertree St Mary, Westhead, Widnes St Mary, Wigan St Thomas141
1860sAughton Christ Ch, Banks, Belle Green, Bootle Christ Ch, Bootle St John, Edge Hill St Catherine, Everton St Saviour, Hindley St Peter, Ince, Litherland, Lpl St Cleopas, Lpl Emmanuel, Lpl St James the Less, Lpl St Margaret, Lpl St Mary Magdalene, Lpl St Nathaniel, Lpl St Timothy, Lpl St Titus, Lowton St Mary, Ravenhead, St Helens Trinity, Southport St Paul, Toxteth St Silas, Warrington St Anne, Waterloo St John, Wigan St JamesCrosby166
1870sAllerton, Anfield, Bank Quay, Birkdale St Peter, Blundellsands, Dalton, Ditton, Earlestown, Gateacre, Hindley Green, Kensington, Lpl St Ambrose, Lpl St Cuthbert, Lpl St Gabriel, Lpl St Lawrence, Lpl St Philemon, Mossley Hill, New Springs, Southport All SS, Southport St Andrew, Southport St Philip, Speke, Stoneycroft, Stubshaw Cross, Toxteth Christ Ch, Tuebrook, Warrington St Barnabas, Warrington St Peter, Wavertree St Bridget, Whelley, Widnes St Ambrose, Wigan St MichaelLpl Mariners197
1880sAinsdale, Aspull, Bootle St Leonard, Bootle St Matthew, Eccleston St Paul, Hindley St Augustine?, Ince St Mary, Lpl St Agnes, Lpl St Asaph, Lpl St Athanasius, Lpl St Bede, Lpl St Benedict, Lpl St Chad, Lpl St Cyprian, Lpl St Dunstan, Lpl St Polycarp, Lpl SS Simon & Jude, Maghull, Orford, Penketh, St Helens St Mark, St Helens St Philip?, Southport St Luke, Toxteth All SS, Walton St John, Walton St Luke, Warrington St George?, Waterloo St Mary, Widnes St Paul, Wigan St Andrew227
1890sBirkdale St John, Clubmoor, Everton St John, Formby Trinity, Huyton St Gabriel, Lpl St Deiniol, Lpl St Hilda, St Helens All SS, St Helens Barton Street?, St Helens St Mary?, Southport Emmanuel, Southport SS Simon & Jude, Warrington St Clement, Warrington St Luke, Wavertree St Thomas, Wigan St Mark, Wigan St MatthewLpl St Barnabas, Lpl St George, Lpl St John the Baptist241
1900sBamfurlong, Bickershaw, Blundellsands St Michael, Bryn, Burscough St Andrew, Cronton, Crosby St Faith, Fazakerley, Haydock St Mark, Litherland St Andrew, Lpl Cathedral, Lpl St Mark, Lpl St Pancras, Mossley Hill St Barnabas, Platt Bridge, St Helens St Andrew, Scarisbrick Good Shepherd, Southport All Souls, Walton St Aidan, Walton St Nathanael, West Derby Good Shepherd, Widnes St JohnLpl St Mark, Lpl St Thomas261
1910sEarlestown St Philip, Hightown, Newton All SS, Orrell Hey, Stoneycroft St Paul, Wigan St PaulBank Quay, Lpl St Titus265
1920sEccleston St James, SpringwoodLpl All Souls, Lpl Blind, Lpl St Bartholomew, Lpl St Mary Magdalene, Lpl St Matthew, Lpl St Peter, Pennington Green260
1930sAintree St Giles, Anfield St Columba, Crosby All SS, Dovecot, Eccleston St Luke, Garswood, Lpl St Christopher, Lpl St Oswald, Norris Green Christ Ch, Orrell, St Helens St David, Wigan St AnneEccleston St Paul?, Lpl Holy Innocents, Lpl St Columba, Lpl St Pancras, Lpl St Paul, Lpl St Simon?, Lpl St Stephen, Toxteth St Matthew264
1940sChildwall St David, West Derby St LukeBootle, Everton Christ Ch, Everton St Peter, Lpl St Alban, Lpl St Augustine, Lpl St James the Less, Lpl St Luke, Lpl St Martin, Lpl St Matthias, Lpl St Silas, Toxteth St Thomas, Toxteth Trinity254
1950sCroxteth St Paul, Fazakerley St George?, Fazakerley St Paul?, Huyton St George, Kirkby St Martin, Kirkby St Mark, Maghull St Peter, Prescot St Paul, St Helens St Michael, Speke St Aidan, Thatto Heath, Warrington St AndrewBootle St John?, Hoscar?, Lpl St Asaph?, Lpl St Deiniol?, Lpl St Timothy, Toxteth St Silas260
1960sHalewood St Mary, Kirkby St Andrew, Litherland St Paul, Netherley?, Ravenhead Emmanuel, Skelmersdale Ecumenical, Thornton, Wigan St Barnabas, Wigan St FrancisEarlestown St Philip?, Lpl St Aidan, Lpl All SS, Lpl St Andrew?, Lpl St Catherine, Lpl Christ Ch, Lpl St Jude, Lpl Trinity, Toxteth St John the Baptist, Warrington St Clement?, Warrington St George?258
1970sChildwall St Mark, Digmoor, Everton St Peter, Maghull St James, St Helens St Paul, Stockbridge, Warrington Ascension, Warrington TransfigurationEdge Hill St Catherine, Everton St John, Hindley St Augustine?, Kensington, Kirkdale, Lpl St Ambrose?, Lpl St Anne, Lpl St Benedict, Lpl St Chad, Lpl St Cuthbert, Lpl St David, Lpl Emmanuel, Lpl St James, Lpl St Mark, Lpl St Polycarp, Lpl St Saviour, St Helens St Mary, Seaforth, Southport St Andrew, Toxteth All SS, Toxteth St Paul, Warrington St Peter, Wavertree St Thomas?, Wigan St Thomas242
1980sCroxteth Park, Kew, Walton Christ Ch, Warrington Resurrection, Warrington St Philip, Widnes All Saints, Widnes St ThomasEdge Hill St Stephen, Everton St Saviour, Lpl St Nathaniel, Lpl SS Simon & Jude, Southport St Paul, Warrington St Luke, Warrington St Paul242
1990sPage Moss, Warrington St JamesAintree, Belle Green?242
2000sSkelmersdale OaksFairfield, Fazakerley St George?, Lpl St Cyprian, Southport All Souls, Widnes St Thomas238
2010sLpl St JamesKirkby St Mark, Litherland St Andrew, Ravenhead Emmanuel, St Helens Barton Street, Stockbridge, Stoneycroft St Paul, Thornton, West Derby St James, Wigan St Barnabas, Wigan St George229
2020sWarrington Central, Warrington CollectiveCroxteth St Paul, Dovecot, Ince St Mary, Lpl St Christopher, Netherley, Scarisbrick Good Shepherd, Warrington Collective, Warrington Resurrection, Waterloo St John, Widnes All Saints221

Dedications

Medieval churches

The area covered by the present Diocese of Liverpool, with its population of 1.6 million people, was in the Middle Ages (before the great population explosion of the Industrial Revolution) covered by just thirteen parish churches (Altcar, Aughton, Childwall, Halsall, Huyton, North Meols, Ormskirk, Prescot, Sefton, Walton, Warrington, Wigan and Winwick) and their twenty dependent chapelries (Ashton, Culcheth, Farnworth, Formby, Garston, Great Crosby, Hale, Hollinfare, Kirkby, Lathom, Liverpool, Lydiate, Maghull, Melling, Newton, Rainford, St Helens, Upholland, West Derby and Windleshaw).

Post-medieval churches

Benefices by population

BeneficePopulationChurchesClergy (Nov 2025)
Wigan188,178301 Team Rector, 9 Team Vicars, 3 Curates, 6 NSMs, 2 OLMs
Liverpool Christ Our Hope75,02461 Team Rector, 6 Team Vicars, 3 Curates, 3 NSMs
St Helens67,175121 Team Rector, 5 Team Vicars, 6 Curates, 1 NSM
Warrington West47,06641 Team Vicar, 1 Curate, 1 NSM
Kirkby40,55431 Team Rector, 2 Team Vicars
Halewood and Hunts Cross // Speke40,03651 Jt Rector/Priest-in-Charge, 1 Team Vicar, 1 Jt Curate, 2 Curates
Warrington East35,62231 Team Vicar, 2 Curates
Eccleston // St Helens North Road34,4295 Vacant (x2) , 1 Team Vicar
Up Holland and Dalton33,58341 Rector, 2 NSMs
Litherland and Orrell Hey29,07931 Team Rector, 1 Team Vicar, 1 NSM
Liverpool St Luke in the City // Toxteth St Margaret28,85241 Jt Team Rector/P-in-C, 1 Team Vicar, 1 Jt Cur, 1 Curate, 1 NSM
Walton-on-the-Hill St Mary etc. // Walton St Luke25,7504Vacant
Lowton and Golborne25,68831 Team Rector, 1 Team Vicar, 1 NSM
Newton25,42341 Team Rector, 1 Team Vicar, 3 NSMs
Ditton St Michael with St Thomas // Hough Green24,22411 Vicar
Maghull and Melling24,18941 Team Rector, 1 Team Vicar, 1 NSM
Liverpool All Saints23,0502 Vacant , 1 Curate, 1 NSM
East Widnes22,96731 Priest-in-Charge
Fazakerley20,25521 Team Rector
Bootle St Matthew and St Leonard19,9212Vacant (since 2020), 1 Curate
Toxteth St Bede and St Clement // Wavertree St Bridget19,75031 Joint Priest-in-Charge, 1 NSM
Gateacre18,85321 Team Rector
West Derby St Mary the Virgin with St James18,12511 Vicar
West Derby St Luke and Stockbridge Village St Jude17,26311 Vicar
Orford St Andrew // Orford St Margaret16,92721 Joint Vicar/Priest-in-Charge
Ormskirk16,6742Vacant, 1 NSM
Netherton and Sefton16,01221 Team Vicar, 1 Curate
Roby15,41021 Vicar
Rainhill15,1431Vacant
Prescot14,52621 Vicar, 1 Curate
Toxteth Park Christ Church St Michael14,11321 Vicar
Liverpool Our Lady & St Nicholas13,99811 Rector, 4 NSMs
Widnes St John and St Paul13,77721 Vicar
Newchurch Culcheth with Croft // Winwick13,12131 Joint Rector/Priest-in-Charge, 1 Curate
North Meols12,98231 Team Rector
Walton Breck12,92921 Vicar
Walton-on-the-Hill St John12,53211 Vicar
Warrington St Elphin12,51421 Rector, 1 BMO Pioneer Minister [15]
Knotty Ash12,4061Vacant (since 2022)
Huyton12,4001Vacant, 1 Hon. Curate
Earlsfield12,00721 Team Rector
Kirkdale St Athanasius with St Mary11,4541Vacant (since 2003)
Birkdale St James // Birkdale St Peter11,38121 Joint Vicar/Priest-in-Charge
Much Woolton11,30811 Rector, 1 Curate
Toxteth St Philemon (under Bishop of Ebbsfleet)11,30111 Rector, 1 Curate
Allerton11,28811 Rector
Birkdale St John11,26411 Vicar
Southport St Philip and St Paul11,0261Vacant, 1 NSM
Thornton and Crosby All Saints with St Frideswide10,95011 Vicar
Warrington St Barnabas10,58811 Vicar
Ainsdale10,42511 Vicar
Skelmersdale St Paul10,30021 Priest-in-Charge, 1 OLM
Formby St Peter10,27411 Vicar, 1 Curate
Bootle Christ Church10,26711 Priest-in-Charge
Southport Emmanuel10,20811 Priest-in-Charge
Burscough Bridge10,15021 Vicar, 1 Curate, 2 NSMs
Great Crosby St Luke9,66111 Vicar, 1 NSM
Huyton Quarry9,49711 Vicar
Whiston9,40211 Vicar
Dingle9,34921 Vicar
West Derby St John the Baptist (Bishop of Beverley)9,25211 Vicar
Grassendale9,0761 Vacant (0.5FTE)
Aigburth St Anne9,0381 Vacant , 1 NSM
Halsall, Lydiate and Downholland8,86521 Rector, 1 NSM
Mossley Hill8,58711 Rector, 1 NSM
Warrington Holy Trinity St Ann8,56121 Vicar, 1 NSM, 1 OLM
Southport SS Simon & Jude (Bishop of Ebbsfleet)8,49611 Vicar
Southport Holy Trinity // S-port St Luke (latter B of Bev)8,46121 Joint Vicar/Priest-in-Charge
Blundellsands St Nicholas8,39111 Vicar, 1 Curate
Formby Holy Trinity and Altcar8,3232 Vacant , 1 NSM
Great Crosby St Faith and Waterloo Park St Mary8,24121 Vicar, 1 Hon. Curate
Everton St Peter with St John Chrysostom8,24021 Rector
Haydock St James (Bishop of Beverley)8,20011 Vicar
Parr7,9531Vacant
Haydock St Mark7,82811 Vicar, 1 NSM
Rainford7,80511 Vicar
Wavertree St Mary7,7631Vacant (since 2022), 1 Curate
Aintree7,73411 Vicar, 1 NSM
Aughton Christ Church7,69611 Vicar, 1 NSM
Wavertree Holy Trinity7,59111 Rector, 1 NSM
Childwall7,36111 Vicar, 1 Curate
Anfield St Columba (Bishop of Beverley)7,19711 Vicar
Liverpool Springwood7,00911 Vicar
Garston6,79911 Vicar
Aughton St Michael and Bickerstaffe6,24921 Rector
Waterloo5,98911 Vicar
Southport All Saints5,9101Vacant, 1 Curate
Toxteth Park SS Agnes & Pancras (Bishop of Beverley)5,73911 Vicar
Kirkdale St Lawrence with St Paul5,4702Vacant, 1 NSM
Stoneycroft5,3021 Vacant
South Widnes5,09421 Priest-in-Charge
Penny Lane5,04811 Priest-in-Charge, 1 Curate
Formby St Luke4,97011 Vicar
Southport Christ Church4,86311 Vicar, 1 NSM
Everton St George3,8201Vacant
Burtonwood3,77511 Priest-in-Charge, 1 NSM
Blundellsands St Michael3,6991 Vacant (0.5FTE)
Anfield St Margaret3,51511 Vicar, 1 NSM
Scarisbrick3,40511 Vicar
Glazebury with Hollinfare3,2832Vacant (since 2009)
Kew3,2361Vacant
Westhead2,0051 Vacant (HfD) , 1 OLM
Hightown1,97211 Vicar
Newburgh1,0931 Vacant (HfD)
[Liverpool Cathedral6211 Dean, 2 Canons Residentiary]
Liverpool St James011 Vicar

There are a total of 105 benefices (counting multiple benefices held simultaneously by the same cleric as one). The Wigan benefice has the dubious honour of being the largest (by population, number of churches and number of clergy) in the Church of England.

Deaneries by population

DeaneryPopulationChurchesClergy (Nov 2025)Popn. per stip. cl.
Wigan188,178301 Rector, 9 Vicars, 3 Curates, 6 NSMs, 2 OLMs14,475
Liverpool North and Walton148,210203 Rectors, 4 Vicars, 1 Curate, 7 NSMs18,526
Liverpool South and Childwall134,403165 Rectors, 4 Vicars, 1 Priest-in-Charge, 6 Curates, 2 NSMs8,400
St Helens132,528201 Rector, 7 Vicars, 6 Curates, 2 NSMs9,466
Warrington131,278141 Rector, 5 Vicars, 1 Pioneer Minister, 3 Curates, 2 NSMs, 1 OLM13,128
Huyton131,059132 Rectors, 7 Vicars, 1 Curate, 1 Hon. Curate13,106
West Derby120,109101 Rector, 8 Vicars, 3 Curates, 3 NSMs10,009
Ormskirk107,825193 Rectors, 4 Vicars, 1 Priest-in-Charge, 1 Curate, 7 NSMs, 2 OLMs11,981
Toxteth and Wavertree104,458163 Rectors, 5 Vicars, 1 Priest-in-Charge, 4 Curates, 3 NSMs8,035
North Meols98,252151 Rector, 6 Vicars, 1 Priest-in-Charge, 1 Curate, 2 NSMs10,917
Sefton North90,163141 Rector, 8 Vicars, 2 Curates, 4 NSMs8,197
Sefton South89,509111 Rector, 4 Vicars, 1 Priest-in-Charge, 2 Curates, 1 NSM, 1 Hon. Curate11,189
Winwick79,490143 Rectors, 3 Vicars, 1 Priest-in-Charge, 1 Curate, 5 NSMs9,936
Widnes66,06282 Vicars, 2 Priests-in-Charge16,516
Totals1,621,524220145 stipendiary clergy, 51 non-stipendiaryaverage: 11,183

Archdeaconries by population

ArchdeaconryPopulationChurchesClergy (Nov 2025)Popn. per stip. cl.
St Helens and Warrington597,5368649 stipendiary, 18 non-stipendiary12,195
Knowsley and Sefton516,8087247 stipendiary, 18 non-stipendiary10,996
Liverpool507,1806249 stipendiary, 15 non-stipendiary10,351

References

  1. "St James House Staff". Diocese of Liverpool. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  2. Joyce M., Horn; David M., Smith; Mussett, Patrick (2004), Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1541–1857, vol. 11, pp. 33–34
  3. "No. 24832". The London Gazette . 9 April 1880. p. 2435.
  4. "Announcing the next Bishop of Liverpool". Diocese of Liverpool. 18 October 2022. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  5. "The Diocese of Liverpool – Bishops". Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  6. The Diocese of Liverpool – Diocesan Synod
  7. "New Interim Bishop of Liverpool Announced". Diocese of Liverpool. 28 February 2025. Archived from the original on 28 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  8. "No. 64704". The London Gazette . 8 April 2025. p. 7574.
  9. Diocesan Synod Membership – March 2013 (Accessed 24 April 2014)
  10. Diocese of Liverpool — Historic Appointment of Bishop Susan Goff as Assisting Bishop of Liverpool (Accessed 5 June 2015)
  11. Diocese of Liverpool — The Diocese of Liverpool and the Anglican Communion (Accessed 5 June 2015)
  12. "Wigan transformation fails to hit its targets". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  13. https://d3hgrlq6yacptf.cloudfront.net/603eb0893e402/content/pages/documents/transforming-wigan-evaluation.pdf
  14. "Programme Chronology - Fit For Mission". Diocese of Liverpool. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  15. "The Revd Mark Gareth Ashley COOPER". www.crockford.org.uk. Retrieved 17 November 2025.

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