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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Aaliyah Rugg

'Magical' Valentine's Day ceremony sees 50 couples renew their vows

More than 50 couples came together to renew their wedding vows on the most romantic day of the year.

The couples renewed their vows under the Gaia at St Chad's Church in Kirkby.

Gaia is part of Knowsley’s 'A New Dawn' programme of illuminating moments that start the borough’s year of celebrations in 2022.

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The event was a 'magical' moment for young and old and part of a wider celebration of love at St. Chads Church.

During the day there were musical performances of romantic operatic love songs, wedding cake and even an opportunity for a proposal or two.

But on Monday evening each couple, who had been married in the last 60 years, once again found themselves at St Chad's to renew their vows under the 6-metre artwork of the earth for the 150th anniversary of the church.

At the service Vicar Philippa Lea said today was a "beautiful opportunity to celebrate".

In an intimate moment, each couple stood to face their partner to repeat the famous vows 'till death us do part', finishing with prayers.

Couples renewing their wedding vows on Valentines Day at St Chad's Church in Kirkby. Photo by Colin Lane (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

Some couples married in recent years, others over 60 years ago, but regardless of when they originally stood at the alter, each couple proved to be committed and embraced their love and affection.

Kerry and Michael Hogg both originally stood at the alter at St Chad's back in September of 2008.

The happy couple told the ECHO : "We'd thought about renewing our vows for a while now, we have four kids and it's something we wanted to do.

"We saw this come up and we thought why not, it's different and a one off, unique event."

Kerry and Michael Hogg (Liverpool ECHO)

Kerry and Michael were also celebrating 15 years to the day that they became an official couple after first meeting when they started work.

They added: "The whole ceremony has been brilliant. We weren't sure what to expect but it was lovely."

Amongst those married at the church, and there to renew their vows on Monday evening, was the vicar Philippa Lea and metro mayor Steve Rotheram.

Pictured Dawne and Michael Taylor (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

This is the first time a unique event on this scale has been held under the Gaia.

Philippa Lea, Vicar at St Chad’s, previously said: “This year we are celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. Chad’s Church and remembering that there has been a centre for Christian worship on the same site for many hundreds of years.

"Through this time there have been countless weddings celebrated here, including the ancestors of many living in Kirkby today.

Couples renewing their wedding vows on Valentines Day at St Chad's Church in Kirkby. Photo by Colin Lane (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

"We’re incredibly proud of the role St. Chad’s has played in the lives of many generations and we’d love couples of all different ages to come together to celebrate their own marriages and all the marriages that have begun in this place over the centuries."

A gallery of the event is available on the Culture Knowsley Flickr account by clicking here.

Alex and Kay Davies. (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

The happy couples shared their memories on the social media platform, including Margaret and Les Hunt who married at St. Chad's Church, Kirkby on 28 December 1968.

Speaking about her magical day, Margaret wrote: " It was a cold and sunny day, but I never felt the cold. My bridesmaid and sister Bess was waiting excitedly as I walked up the steps with my father, however she was soon overwhelmed by the realisation that I would be leaving home as she fought back the tears and we walked down the aisle.

Rev Philippa Lea (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

"I married in the church I'd belonged to for nearly all my life; first attending Sunday School as a pupil and later as a Sunday school teacher. I then became a chorister in the church choir, later secretary of the youth club and eventually a teacher at St. Chad's Church School."

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region who himself was married in St. Chad’s, previously added: "As a Kirkby lad, I know of hundreds of people who have tied the knot in St Chad’s over the years – including myself and my wife Sandra back in 1989."

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