1832

Before 1793 there was no place of worship for the many Presbyterians who had moved from Scotland to Liverpool. A group, led by Dr. John McCulloch, raised money and built Oldham Street Kirk which opened in 1793, with seating for 820 people.

In 1823 the Reverend John Stewart was appointed by Mr. McIver rather than the Reverend Dr. David Thom and on 6th March 1823 some 25 members of the congregation, led by Dr. McCulloch, left in protest. They agreed to build a new church which was offered it to the Reverend Dr. David Thom (after his acceptance temporary chapel was opened soon after, on 23 March 1823).

Designed by John Foster, the foundation stone for the Rodney Street Presbyterian Church was laid on June 23rd 1832, with Rev. Thom preaching. It was opened on 3rd December 1824 by Edward Irving. The church was built for the Reverend David Thom, a talented yet outspoken preacher whose name figures in the history of many churches and congregations of the time. Thom eventually fell out with the presbyterian authorities and, in 1827, he left with a small congregation for a small church on Bold Street, the Bold Street Chapel or Berean Universalist church.

The Rodney Street Kirk closed in 1975 and today is little more than a vandalised ruin, clothed in netting and scaffold. To many it is just another old church, though a noticeable pyramidal grave draws the eye of the passer-by. A story relates that this pyramid-shaped tomb has a gambler buried in it, sitting at a card table to cheat the devil who would claim his soul once he was buried, (after he lost this soul in a game of poker). He is further said to haunt the church and grounds. Whatever the facts of that story a Scot, James MacKenzie, was buried here.

In common with many Scottish Churches, this building is also known as the Church of St Andrew though the name is not in common usage and it is not figured on older OS maps, or in church records.

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