A GROUP of residents have set up an action committee in response to uncertainty over the future of a building that is nearly two centuries old.
Loyola Hall, in Rainhill has a history stretching back to 1824 when it was built by landowner Bartholomew Bretherton and has been one of the most significant religious sites in the borough.
Formerly known as Rainhill Hall, the building was sold by the Bretherton family to the Society of Jesus, more commonly known as The Jesuits, in 1923.
Renamed Loyola Hall, the building was used as a retreat for providing spiritual breaks, before being closed after Easter in 2014.
Since there has been uncertainty over the future of the Grade II listed building with the Jesuits yet to announce any plans for the building, which is currently being used as temporary accommodation.
And residents, who have come together to form the Friends of Rainhill (Loyola) Hall, are to hold a public meeting to discuss the building's future.
"It is an absolutely beautiful place and we just want to make sure it is there for future generations," said resident Ann Daniels, 56.
"Once it's gone, it's gone and we want to make people aware that it could end up as a building site. We want to see what people think and even if we could have possibility of buying it."
Gerry Ryder, who created the Friends' Facebook page, added: "What residents don't want is for it to be knocked down and whatever move is going to happen is going to be done sympathetically.
"It would be great if we could have it as some sort of heritage centre though I can't see that happening. But we want to make the Jesuits aware that there is a lot of interest in this."
When the Star contacted the Jesuits over the matter, treasurer Stephen Power said: "We understand that there are concerns that the hall is preserved and we have looked at various options."
Brother Power added that the Jesuits had contacted the archdiocese over a possible use but that this "seemed unlikely" and that any decisions will "depend on what can be done in the area" and they are currently "looking at options".
The public meeting will take place at 7.30pm at St Ann's Millennium Centre, on View Road, on Tuesday, September 1.
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