THE OLD - Old Wirral.com

THE OLD CHURCHES OF WIRRAL
once a port, while at Shotwick St. Michael
was chosen as a saint peculiarly protective
to places of military importance, for Shotwick
Castle commanded the Dee fords.
St. Hilary's, Wallasey, is supposed to be
a memorial of that saint's successful war
against the Pelagian teaching, for tradition
states that the church was founded by
St. Germanus of Gaul, who was sent to
Britain by Hilary to uproot the heresy in
this country. St. Bridget's, West Kirby,
is believed by some to owe its dedication
to St. Patrick, who founded churches in
Ireland, and naturally preferred to trust
to the intercession of one of his national
saints.* St. Hildeburgh's, Hoylake, which
is a modern church, is an example of traditional
association, as the cell on Hilbre
was supposed
to be dedicated to that saint.
It is open to question, however, whether
St. Hildeburgh is not a mythical person-
age.
*
During the period of St. Bridget's fame, there was
considerable intercourse between Wales and Ireland.
This may account for the West Kirby dedication. It
may be mentioned that the Celtic Christians dedicated
their churches either to one of the Apostles or to
some local Saint. It is not improbable that St.
Bridget visited West Kirby. It should further be
noted that she was bom only five or six years before
the death of St. Patrick.
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C. Brooke G wtnne.