Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, St Winifred

Striking and individual Catholic church which uses design elements embodying a nautical theme. The main body of the church is a high parabolic vault in stressed concrete which has advanced ribs along its length, resembling the upturned hull of a boat. This is on a roughcast rendered plinth with portholes to each 'ribbed' bay. The entrance faces the road to the S, a dressed stone facade with raking sides, stepped up and surmounted by a plain stone cross. The main, central, entrance is reached by flanking flights of stone steps; a pointed arched doorway of 2 orders. Above the doorway is a star shaped light set within a mosaic surround. Below the main entrance, under the steps, is a square-headed doorway with flanking pointed arched windows. To the rear of the main body of the church is a flat roofed vestry accessed by a dog leg flight of stone steps with rubblestone walls; the top flight over a tall arch. A further doorway to the lower floor of the church is to the rear of the E wall.

The main entrance leads directly into the rear of the nave (formerly there had been a small vestibule with raking sides). The vault that is such a prominent feature of the exterior of the church also dominates the interior; the body of the church is illuminated by rib-like bands of geometrically patterned lights (manufactured in France). The lateral walls are plastered and painted white. Star shaped lights (made in Chester) follow the line of the steep arch to the apsidal sanctuary Fittings include: a slate plaque at the rear of the nave commemorating the reopening and re-dedication on 1 May 2011; a carved limewood statue of Our Lady Star of the Sea on the W wall of the nave; oak herringbone flooring and benches; painted quatrefoil-shaped ceramic relief Stations of the Cross with hardwood cross finials; carved oak crucifix in the apex of the apse; sanctuary fittings from the 2011 renovation (altar, ambo and tabernacle with plinth of Welsh slate and granite).