St Michael's Church, Huyton

St Michael's Church, Huyton, appears to be rural and idyllic in this picture, but a busy road (the B5199 -which would be classed an A-road up here) runs past its gate. The church I could not enter, though I enjoyed attempting to date it. Online sources contradict each other, but the main body appears early nineteenth century while the tower I would date to 1500. If I am wrong, then the nave has weathered wonderfully well and the tower has aged terribly.

I went around the back. Now Liverpool and its districts are not known for their shortage of crime, and it behoves landlords as well as church wardens to fortify their premises against intruders. The levels of security to the church’s rear, however, reminded me of His Majesty’s Prison at Preston. Anyone determined to climb that wall would be cut to ribbons for his trouble.

I consider come churches so strict and secure that it is well-nigh impossible to join them. One I heard about waited 15 years while the deacons determined an applicant's eligibility for membership, and then turned him down. On the other hand, the cults make it very easy to join but almost impossible to leave, controlling one’s family, one’s social life, one’s everything. Although it is sad when one leaves a church and dangerous when there are no restrictions placed on new members, I pray that churches welcome new members and do all they can to retain them...yet we must always be free to leave a church, whether our reasons be right or wrong. Church is family, not a gaol or a gentlemen's club.