Church Of St Catherine

The Church of St Catherine is a parish church located in Tranmere, Birkenhead. It was originally built in 1831 and underwent enlargement and alterations in 1875-1876 by architect J. Francis Doyle, with the addition of a tower and spire in 1879. The church is constructed of brick, with extensions in rock face red sandstone, and features a roof made of Welsh slate.

The original nave consists of five bays, with four windows and doors located in the western bay on both the north and south sides. One of the northern windows has been altered by the insertion of a doorway. The windows are designed in the 2-light Decorated style, while the west window, which is three-light Decorated, is set in a projecting square bay and features a quatrefoil above it. The transepts and chancel were added later but maintain a similar style of fenestration.

The north-east tower and spire are notable features, comprising a two-stage tower with a high first stage that includes clasping buttresses and a chamfered and moulded arched door on the north side. Above the door is a foiled blind lancet, followed by a bell-chamber light with louvres. A stair turret is positioned at the angle with the chancel. The tower is adorned with a corbel table, an embattled parapet, and a brooch spire that has lucarnes. The east window is a five-light Decorated design.

Inside, the church has an aisleless nave of four-and-a-half bays with a shallow hammerbeam roof dating from the 1875-1876 alterations. The western bay has been partially blocked by an inserted hall. Moulded stone arches lead to the transepts, supported by short shafts. The roofs are scissor braced, with most having been renewed. The chancel arch features shafts with stiff-leaf capitals and angel-head stops on the hood mould. An integral stone pulpit and a contemporary octagonal font, both with marble shafts and stiff-leaf designs, are present. Wrought-iron communion rails add to the interior features. The stained glass includes simple fruits and flowers in the transept windows, which are undated, and a depiction of the Lamb of God and saints in the east window, which dates to 1869.