St. Peter's Church, Woolton, Liverpool
Encyclopedia
St. Peter's Church in Woolton
, Liverpool
, England
opened in 1887 with the neo-Gothic
building replacing an earlier church on the site. It is one of the larger parish churches in Liverpool. It is an active church today, but is also known for its connections with The Beatles
.
in 1747.
A chapel was built in 1826 on a site a little below the present building. Holding around 200 people, it was built of the locally quarried sandstone, and was consecrated on 16 September 1826. The church records indicate that the building was something of an eyesore and built "in the worst style of British church architecture".
The population of Woolton village grew steadily in the 19th century, and the church was felt to be too small. The foundation stone of a new church was laid in 1886, and it opened for worship the following year. The new church was built from local sandstone in the Perpendicular style developed in the late 15th century. The old church was taken down stone by stone and reassembled in the Toxteth
district of Liverpool.
The 90-ft high bell tower
contains 8 bells and is the highest point in Liverpool, with commanding views of Lancashire
, Cheshire
and the Welsh hills.
The church has a set of stained-glass windows, all except two of which are designed by the artist Charles Kempe. Kempe’s work can be seen also in the small side chapel, which is regularly used for smaller services. The two smaller windows, which were removed from the original church, were designed by William Morris
.
A new addition to the church facilities, the Centenary Rooms, were completed in 1987.
and Paul McCartney
took place at St. Peter’s Church Hall on the evening of Saturday, 6 July 1957. McCartney was introduced to Lennon and the other members of The Quarrymen
skiffle
group while they took a break between the two sets they played at the church dance. The historic meeting was brief, but long enough for the Quarrymen to be sufficiently impressed to later ask McCartney to join the group.
The churchyard at St. Peter's contains the grave of Eleanor Rigby
, which, in at least one version of the story, is where the name came from for the 1966 Beatles song.
Also in the churchyard is the grave of Lennon’s uncle, George Toogood Smith. After the breakdown of his parents' marriage when he was five, Lennon lived in the area with his Uncle George and Aunt Mimi
. Whilst Aunt Mimi was a regular member of the congregation, Lennon’s visits to church were less frequent, but he was a member of the youth group and sang occasionally in the choir at weddings.
, who guided Liverpool F.C.
to 13 major trophies as manager from 1974 to 1983, was buried in the churchyard following his death in February 1996 at the age of 77.
53.410777°N 2.977838°W
Woolton
Woolton is a suburb of Liverpool, Merseyside, England and a Liverpool City Council Ward. It is located at the south of the city, bordered by Gateacre, Hunts Cross, Allerton and Halewood. At the 2001 Census the population was recorded as 14,836.-History:...
, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
opened in 1887 with the neo-Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
building replacing an earlier church on the site. It is one of the larger parish churches in Liverpool. It is an active church today, but is also known for its connections with The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
.
History
The lease of the land for the original church was donated by John OkillJohn Okill
John Okill was a pioneering and successful 18th century shipbuilder from Liverpool, England. Not much is known about his early life, though by the time he was 50 years old, he was a leading citizen of the town, having undertaken the roles of timber merchant and shipbuilder.His yard was on the...
in 1747.
A chapel was built in 1826 on a site a little below the present building. Holding around 200 people, it was built of the locally quarried sandstone, and was consecrated on 16 September 1826. The church records indicate that the building was something of an eyesore and built "in the worst style of British church architecture".
The population of Woolton village grew steadily in the 19th century, and the church was felt to be too small. The foundation stone of a new church was laid in 1886, and it opened for worship the following year. The new church was built from local sandstone in the Perpendicular style developed in the late 15th century. The old church was taken down stone by stone and reassembled in the Toxteth
Toxteth
Toxteth is an inner city area of Liverpool, England. Located to the south of the city, Toxteth is bordered by Liverpool City Centre, Dingle, Edge Hill, Wavertree and Aigburth.-Description:...
district of Liverpool.
The 90-ft high bell tower
Bell tower
A bell tower is a tower which contains one or more bells, or which is designed to hold bells, even if it has none. In the European tradition, such a tower most commonly serves as part of a church and contains church bells. When attached to a city hall or other civic building, especially in...
contains 8 bells and is the highest point in Liverpool, with commanding views of Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
and the Welsh hills.
The church has a set of stained-glass windows, all except two of which are designed by the artist Charles Kempe. Kempe’s work can be seen also in the small side chapel, which is regularly used for smaller services. The two smaller windows, which were removed from the original church, were designed by William Morris
William Morris
William Morris 24 March 18343 October 1896 was an English textile designer, artist, writer, and socialist associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the English Arts and Crafts Movement...
.
A new addition to the church facilities, the Centenary Rooms, were completed in 1987.
The Beatles connections
The first meeting of John LennonJohn Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
and Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
took place at St. Peter’s Church Hall on the evening of Saturday, 6 July 1957. McCartney was introduced to Lennon and the other members of The Quarrymen
The Quarrymen
The Quarrymen are a British skiffle and rock and roll group, initially formed in Liverpool in 1956, that eventually evolved into The Beatles in 1960...
skiffle
Skiffle
Skiffle is a type of popular music with jazz, blues, folk, roots and country influences, usually using homemade or improvised instruments. Originating as a term in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century, it became popular again in the UK in the 1950s, where it was mainly...
group while they took a break between the two sets they played at the church dance. The historic meeting was brief, but long enough for the Quarrymen to be sufficiently impressed to later ask McCartney to join the group.
The churchyard at St. Peter's contains the grave of Eleanor Rigby
Eleanor Rigby
"Eleanor Rigby" is a song by The Beatles, simultaneously released on the 1966 album Revolver and on a 45 rpm single. The song was written primarily by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney...
, which, in at least one version of the story, is where the name came from for the 1966 Beatles song.
Also in the churchyard is the grave of Lennon’s uncle, George Toogood Smith. After the breakdown of his parents' marriage when he was five, Lennon lived in the area with his Uncle George and Aunt Mimi
Mimi Smith
Mary Elizabeth "Mimi" Smith was the maternal aunt and parental guardian of the English musician John Lennon. Mimi was born in Liverpool, England and was the oldest of five daughters. She became a resident trainee nurse at the Woolton Convalescent Hospital, and later worked as a private secretary...
. Whilst Aunt Mimi was a regular member of the congregation, Lennon’s visits to church were less frequent, but he was a member of the youth group and sang occasionally in the choir at weddings.
Bob Paisley
Bob PaisleyBob Paisley
Robert "Bob" Paisley OBE was an English football half back turned manager. His association with Liverpool was to span nearly half a century including his contribution to the club, first as a player, then as a physiotherapist and coach, and finally as manager.In nine years as manager between 1974...
, who guided Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
to 13 major trophies as manager from 1974 to 1983, was buried in the churchyard following his death in February 1996 at the age of 77.
St. Peter's today
As befits the building, St. Peter’s Church today is a lively and flourishing church with a prominent local role.External links
53.410777°N 2.977838°W