Vow renewals at reopened St James in the City church

St James Church was derelict for over 35 years after closing in 1972

A recently reopened Liverpool church is inviting couples who were married before its closure to renew their wedding vows on the eve of the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

St James Church on Upper Parliament Street closed in 1972, it reopened in 2009 as St James in the City.

The church will hold a renewal of vows service at 1930BST on 28 April.

Couples who are interested can contact the Reverend Neil Short, vicar at St James in the City on 0151 708 8559.

Wedding photographs

The Grade II listed church, which was built in 1774, recently received funding of £407,343 from English Heritage for renovations to the roof.

The first wedding at the church is due to take place in May 2011.

Couples taking part in the renewal of vows service will be asked to bring photographs of their wedding day and throughout their marriage for use during the service.

"With the royal wedding coming up, marriage is very much in people's minds," the Reverend Neil Short said.

"We wanted to hold this renewal service the night before the royal wedding for those who want to thank God for the past, admit mistakes made, and look to the future with hope and optimism.

"We would especially love to welcome couples who married here first time around, before the church's closure in 1972.

"The idea of renewal is very much in keeping with what we are doing at St James in the City, as we contemplate the church's past and look at how we can serve the community in the future.

"We hope that couples who married here will enjoy coming back and seeing what the future holds for the church as they also look to their own future together."