Skip to main content

Welcome to

All Hallows, Allerton

All Hallows is a beautiful Grade 1 Listed building in south Liverpool. Consecrated in 1876, the church is unique in that 14 of its 15 stained glass windows are largely the fruit of the work of Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris.

The windows are the crowning glory of our church and form the finest collection of stained glass in the country.

We are a friendly and welcoming congregation with a thriving children’s ministry. We love seeing young families attending our 10.15am service on Sundays and staying on afterwards for tea and coffee and a chat.

We also have an evening service on alternate Sundays at 6.30pm and a service of Holy Communion every Wednesday at 10.30am after which the church remains open for visitors.

Please take a look at our website and do get in touch if you need more information or at our Deanery website

www.liverpoolsouthdeanery.org.uk

Statement for parishes issued by Liverpool Diocese on Friday 31st January 2025 following the retirement of The Bishop of Liverpool after allegations of misconduct were reported on Channel 4 news.

Like you the events of this week have come as a great shock and surprise.  These feelings may be acutely felt here in All Hallows because Bishop John was with us for morning worship last week, preaching and presiding at Holy Communion and I know a number of you spoke with him over refreshments after the service. It is not for us to comment on the rights and wrongs of this situation as these matters are always complicated. I know this will lead to many questions and it may stir up a range of emotions so I want you to be able to talk about any feelings you may have.

You can do this by speaking to Jean Hobbs, Parish Safeguarding Officer/Kirsten Butcher, Lead Recruiter/Shirley Spencer, Church Warden/Ian Merrison, Lay Reader or myself. If this has triggered anything in you then do access the safeguarding information on the diocese of website www.liverpoolcofe.org/safeguarding

You can read the various statements from Senior Leadership and the retired Bishop of Liverpool on the diocesan website. They have also published a pastoral letter from the Bishop of Warrington.

As you can expect there are a number of things happening that I am not aware of, so I may not answer your questions and it is not helpful to speculate. But if you have questions I can ask the senior leadership. I know they are talking to the Archbishop of York about the provision of episcopal oversight and I am certain they will make announcements as soon as they can.

I want to assure you that I will do all we can to ensure this church is a safe and welcoming place for all where we can continue to worship and serve our Lord.

We have a Safeguarding noticeboard at the back of church where documentation is regularly updated.  There are telephone numbers of the Diocesan Safeguarding Team and Safe Spaces who can be contacted if anyone has “been abused by someone in the church.”*  This telephone number is also available in the toilets at the back of church.

On Sunday 23rd February we will be celebrating “Safeguarding Sunday” with Archdeacon Pete Spiers, please can I encourage you to make every effort to be here on that day and I ask that you actively promote this to others and, especially, if you are the leader of one of our groups in All Hallows share this information with your group members.  Safeguarding is the responsibility of all of us.

I ask you to join me in prayer

“Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

 *quote taken from Safe Spaces website

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Retirement of the Bishop of Liverpool Posted on January 30, 2025

 

Having received the news of the retirement of the Bishop of Liverpool, we acknowledge his decision in taking this step for the good of the Diocese of Liverpool. This is a deeply painful situation, and we hold all concerned in our prayers.

We will be liaising with the Archbishop of York in the coming days to establish interim episcopal oversight for the diocese. We continue working hard to support all those who have been affected by this story; and to support our clergy, congregations and staff as their ministry continues.

Debra Walker, Chair of the House of Laity

Peter Dawkin, Chair of the House of Clergy

Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool

Pete Spiers, Archdeacon of Knowsley & Sefton

Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, Archdeacon of Liverpool

Simon Fisher, Archdeacon of St Helens and Warrington

Statement from the Rt. Revd. Dr. John Perumbalath, Bishop of Liverpool

Having sought the permission of His Majesty the King, I have today taken the decision to retire from active ministry in the Church of England.

Earlier this week I was approached by Channel 4 news who informed me they would be broadcasting a story containing allegations of inappropriate behaviour by me against two different women.

Since those allegations were made I have consistently maintained that I have not done anything wrong and continue to do so. Since the claims were made in 2023 they have been investigated and considered by experts from the National Safeguarding Team and had found them unsubstantiated. The first allegation was also investigated by the Police resulting in no further action. Despite this, media reports have treated me as guilty on all charges and treated these allegations as fact.

Further it has been erroneously reported that prior to my appointment as Bishop of Liverpool I had failed the safeguarding assessment process. This is categorically not true. As the Church of England have made clear in their written statements over the past 48 hours responding to these false claims, the National Safeguarding Team found no concerns about my operational safeguarding experience and recommended some development work for me as I took on additional strategic safeguarding responsibilities – which is commonly the case for new diocesan bishops.

This rush to judgment and my trial by media (be that social or broadcast) has made my position untenable due to the impact it will have on the Diocese of Liverpool and the wider church whilst we await further reviews and next steps.

I do not wish this story to become a distraction for this incredible diocese and its people whom it has been an honour and joy to serve. This is not a resignation occasioned by fault or by any admission of liability. Rather it has become clear that stepping back from my ministry and waiting for the completion of further reviews would mean a long period of uncertainty for the Diocese and all those who serve it. I have taken this decision for my own well-being, my family and the best interests of the Diocese. The exact date when my role will formally end is not yet determined. There are protocols to observe that I will now be attending to.

But I step back from my ministry today. This means I will not be ministering in or leading the diocese with immediate effect. I informed the Archbishop of York of my decision and I understand he will put in place the necessary arrangements for episcopal oversight of the diocese for the remainder of my time here and during the vacancy.

Statement from the Archbishop of York following the Resignation of the Bishop of Liverpool

I acknowledge the decision made by the Rt. Revd. Dr. John Perumbalath to resign from active ministry in the Church of England. I respect his decision and thank him for his ministry.

My thoughts and prayers continue to be with all those who have been affected by this situation.

I am committed to ensuring stability during this time of transition and will be putting the necessary arrangements in place to provide episcopal oversight for the Diocese. An acting Bishop for the Diocese of Liverpool will be announced in the coming days.

Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York

We take all reports and allegations seriously and if you, or anyone you are in contact with, are affected by this and want to talk to someone independently please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or email safespaces@victimsupport.org.uk. There are other support services available.

You could also contact the diocesan safeguarding advisor at safeguarding@liverpool.anglican.org

For more information about safeguarding in the Diocese of Liverpool go to liverpoolcofe.org/safeguarding-matters/ 

 

 

A statement from Senior Leadership of the Diocese of Liverpool – Posted on January 29, 2025

Today we have written to the Archbishop of York to give the following statement:

Having listened to clergy, congregations and staff at the diocesan offices and the cathedral it is with deep regret that the senior leadership of the Diocese of Liverpool feel that the position of the Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath is currently untenable. We believe that the allegations made by the female bishop need to be fully and properly investigated. We also believe that while these proper investigations are conducted the Bishop of Liverpool will need to step aside from all ministry in the Diocese of Liverpool.

Debra Walker, Chair of the House of Laity
Peter Dawkin, Chair of the House of Clergy
Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool
Pete Spiers, Archdeacon of Knowsley & Sefton
Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, Archdeacon of Liverpool
Simon Fisher, Archdeacon of St Helens and Warrington

 

A pastoral letter to the clergy and people of the Diocese of Liverpool [Published January 28, 2025]

Like you we were shocked and saddened by the allegations broadcast by Channel Four News tonight. We recognise how difficult this will have been for people across our diocese to hear and we all need time to take stock.

As leaders in the Diocese of Liverpool we want our diocese and our churches to be places where everyone is and feels safe. We know all our churches are committed to the best possible safeguarding practice, and to upholding the dignity of all people, which is why the allegations set out by Channel Four are so upsetting.

We understand that some of allegations against the Bishop of Liverpool have been investigated and found unsubstantiated by the National Safeguarding Team. We are aware the police in Essex have taken no action with regard to one allegation. However, we understand that an allegation of misconduct was not fully investigated, and we believe that in the interests of justice this should now happen.

Above all we recognise that this will be a shock and surprise to many. Some will be angry and some will feel let down. We are available for those who wish to talk and encourage anyone who is a victim of abuse to report it so it can be properly investigated.

Over the next few days and weeks we will need to decide how we move forward together as a diocese. We have a great deal of work to do. It is through all the people of our churches and parishes that God is working to deliver the mission of the church, to feed the poor, heal the sick and sustain the spirit as we seek to worship our loving God. We pray for you as you continue to do God’s work in the places you are called to be, in the face of this news.

As flawed human beings we are held together in the love of God. It is Christ’s church, and Jesus is the great high priest that sustains us and loves us. These are difficult times for the Diocese of Liverpool and we need to come together to create a safe church, a place where we can love and serve the Lord.

Debra Walker, Chair of the House of Laity
Peter Dawkin, Chair of the House of Clergy
Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool
Pete Spiers, Archdeacon of Knowsley & Sefton
Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, Archdeacon of Liverpool
Simon Fisher, Archdeacon of St Helens and Warrington

The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath said:-

“The allegations set out in this programme are in relation to encounters that took place in public settings, with other people present.  I have consistently denied the allegations made against me by both complainants. I have complied with any investigation from the National Safeguarding Team. The allegations raised in Essex were also investigated by the Police who took no further action.

Whilst I don’t believe I have done anything wrong, I have taken seriously the lessons learnt through this process addressing how my actions can be perceived by others. I will comply with any investigation deemed necessary. I take safeguarding very seriously and work hard to provide proper leadership in this area”.

Church Life

Services

Sundays at 10:15am and Wednesday at 10.30am

Children & Youth

Sunday school, crèche facilities, Pathfinders and midweek group for teenage children.

Church Groups

Housegroups, mothers' union, Food and Fellowship and other church groups.

All Hallows is always a vibrant place where lots of things are happening – here are our upcoming events

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Here For You

Hall Hire

Text here about hall hire.

Weddings

Text here about weddings

Baptisms

Text here about baptisms.

Funerals

Text here about funerals.

HOW TO FIND US

The Parish of All Hallows Allerton, 1 Greenhill Road, Liverpool, L18 6JJ

Keeping In Touch

To keep up with everything about All Hallows read our monthly newslettter In Touch.

Sign up to our email list to receive news and updates in the life of the church directly to your inbox.

Subscribe

Safeguarding

All Hallows takes its duty and obligation to protect all extremely seriously. We have adopted the national Church of England robust procedures and guidelines. You can find out more about national policies at www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding. If you have have any safeguarding concerns on issues on a safeguarding matter then you can find useful contact information at http://www.liverpool.anglican.org/safeguarding

Close Menu