Top of Bold Street · Leece Street & Berry Street
St Luke's Bombed Out Church
St Luke's was planned in 1802, begun in 1811 and finished in 1832 to designs by John Foster Sr and his son John Foster Jr. On 6 May 1941, during the May Blitz, an incendiary left it a burnt-out shell, kept roofless ever since as a memorial.
- Architects
- John Foster Sr and John Foster Jr
- Built
- 1811–1832
- Bombed
- 6 May 1941
- Heritage
- Grade II* listed
Plans for a church at the top of Bold Street were first drawn in 1802. The foundation stone was laid on 9 April 1811 and the church, designed by John Foster Sr and completed by his son John Foster Jr, was finished in 1832.
During the May Blitz of 1941, an incendiary device struck on 6 May and the fire that followed left the church a shell. Rather than rebuild it, the city kept it roofless as a memorial to those who died in the war; Liverpool knows it simply as the Bombed Out Church.
It was listed Grade II* in 1952, and its railings, gates and walls were added at the same grade in 1975. Today it is used for exhibitions, events and community arts, closing the view up Bold Street from the city centre.
- 1802
Plans for the church are first drawn.
- 1811
The foundation stone is laid on 9 April.
- 1832
The church is completed by John Foster Jr.
- 1941
Gutted by fire on 6 May during the May Blitz.
- 1952
Listed Grade II*.
How much history this place holds
The Old Town Time Meter
Old Town Time Meter
80/100
Landmark
- Time on this spot215 years, since 1811 (foundation stone)29/40
- Age of the present building194 years, built 183219/20
- Layers of history5 documented chapters15/15
- Heritage protectionGrade II* listed11/15
- Continuity85 years in the same use (kept as a war memorial)6/10
Part of the historic district of Bold Street · district meter 66/100, Landmark
An index of the documented time and history held by this place, part of Old Town Liverpool's Quantum Energy Mapping. How it is measured.
Old Town Liverpool guides
With the story behind the building
Make an evening of it
What's on nearby
Things to do
Tours that start nearby
- Bus tours · Sightseeing from £15 per adult City Explorer Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour City Explorer Liverpool (Maghull Coaches) Times, prices & meeting point
- Beatles · Bus tours from £20 per adult Beatles Explorer Bus Tour City Explorer Liverpool (Maghull Coaches) Times, prices & meeting point
- River cruises · Sightseeing from £14 per adult Mersey Ferries River Explorer Cruise Mersey Ferries Times, prices & meeting point
Around St Luke's Bombed Out Church
Sources: Wikipedia: Church of St Luke, Liverpool; Food Standards Agency food hygiene rating data (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 16 October 2026.