St John's Gardens
Encyclopedia
St John's Gardens is an open space in Liverpool
, England, located to the west of St George's Hall. The gardens are part of the William Brown Street
conservation area, and comprise one of the two open spaces within Liverpool's World Heritage Site
. It has been a Green Flag
site since 2003. The gardens contain ornamental flower beds, and memorials to notable people of the city.
known as The Great Heath, which continued to exist until the middle of the 18th century. As Liverpool grew, the land was built on, and towards the end of the 19th century it had been completely developed. The land sloped upwards to the east of the developing city and was exposed to the winds, making it a suitable site for windmills and for public lines to dry washing. In 1749 the city's first General Infirmary was built on the site, followed by the Seaman's Hospital in 1752, a dispensary
in 1778, and a lunatic asylum
in 1789. Industry also come to the site; in addition to windmills, there were rope works, potteries, a marble
yard, and a row of lime kilns.
From 1767 the land towards the top of the slope had been the town cemetery, and in 1784 a church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist
was built in the middle of the cemetery. By 1854 the cemetery was full, and the church was demolished in 1898. Meanwhile the other buildings in the area had been demolished, the industries closed, and St George's Hall had been built, opening in 1854. At the beginning of the 20th century it was decided to landscape the former cemetery. The remains of most of the bodies were removed and buried elsewhere. The site was redeveloped and opened in 1904 as "St John's Ornamental and Memorial Gardens". The gardens were designed by the corporation surveyor Thomas Shelmerdine
. In addition to the creation of flower beds, statues and memorials were erected in the gardens.
as a Grade II listed building. The Rathbone Monument commemorates William Rathbone
who died in 1902, although the monument had been made in 1899. It was created by George Frampton
, and consists of a bronze robed figure standing on a stone pedestal
. Its inscription records that Rathbone founded the district nursing
movement, and the forerunners of the Universities of Liverpool
and North Wales
. The Gladstone Monument is to the memory of W. E. Gladstone
, a former Prime Minister
, who was born in Liverpool and who died in 1898. The monument dates from 1904 and was made by Thomas Brock
. It consists of a bronze figure of Gladstone holding books and a roll of parchment, standing on a stone pedestal containing carvings of female figures representing Truth and Justice. The Balfour Monument commemorates Alexander Balfour
, businessman and philanthropist who died in 1886. The monument dates from 1889, was sculpted by A. Bruce Joy, and consists of a bronze figure on a stone pedestal. The Lester Monument is to the memory of Canon T. Major Lester who died in 1903, and who founded charities for children in Liverpool. It was made by George Frampton, erected in 1907, and depicts a bronze figure holding a child, standing on a stone pedestal. The Nugent Memorial commemorates James Nugent
, a Roman Catholic priest
who worked with child welfare. The monument is dated 1906, was created by F. W. Pomeroy
, and consists of a bronze figure in the attitude of blessing
, and a ragged boy, both standing on a stone pedestal decorated with a bronze wreath. The Forwood Monument is to the memory of Sir Arthur Forwood
, a local businessman and politician, who died in 1898. The monument was erected in 1903, was made by George Frampton and, again, is a bronze figure on a stone pedestal. Also in the gardens is a monument commemorating the service of the King's Regiment in the South African War
. It is dated 1905 and was sculpted by Sir W. Goscombe John
. It is in white stone with a bronze wreath, and includes the figure of Britannia
, military objects, standing soldiers, and a drummer boy
. Also listed at Grade II are the stone walls and the gate piers
surrounding the gardens. They date from 1904 and were designed by Thomas Shelmerdine.
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, located to the west of St George's Hall. The gardens are part of the William Brown Street
William Brown Street
William Brown Street in Liverpool, England is a road that is remarkable for its concentration of public buildings. It is sometimes referred to as the "Cultural Quarter"...
conservation area, and comprise one of the two open spaces within Liverpool's World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
. It has been a Green Flag
Green Flag Award
The Green Flag Award is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the United Kingdom. The scheme was set up in 1996 to recognise and reward green spaces in England and Wales that met the laid down high standards...
site since 2003. The gardens contain ornamental flower beds, and memorials to notable people of the city.
History
The gardens stand in a former area of heathlandHeath
-Habitats:* Heath or heathland, low-growing woody vegetation, mostly consisting of heathers and related species* Heaths in the British National Vegetation Classification system...
known as The Great Heath, which continued to exist until the middle of the 18th century. As Liverpool grew, the land was built on, and towards the end of the 19th century it had been completely developed. The land sloped upwards to the east of the developing city and was exposed to the winds, making it a suitable site for windmills and for public lines to dry washing. In 1749 the city's first General Infirmary was built on the site, followed by the Seaman's Hospital in 1752, a dispensary
Dispensary
A dispensary is an office in a school, hospital or other organization that dispenses medications and medical supplies. In a traditional dispensary set-up a pharmacist dispenses medication as per prescription or order form....
in 1778, and a lunatic asylum
History of psychiatric institutions
The story of the rise of the lunatic asylum and its gradual transformation into, and eventual replacement by, the modern psychiatric hospital, is also the story of the rise of organized, institutional psychiatry...
in 1789. Industry also come to the site; in addition to windmills, there were rope works, potteries, a marble
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
yard, and a row of lime kilns.
From 1767 the land towards the top of the slope had been the town cemetery, and in 1784 a church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
was built in the middle of the cemetery. By 1854 the cemetery was full, and the church was demolished in 1898. Meanwhile the other buildings in the area had been demolished, the industries closed, and St George's Hall had been built, opening in 1854. At the beginning of the 20th century it was decided to landscape the former cemetery. The remains of most of the bodies were removed and buried elsewhere. The site was redeveloped and opened in 1904 as "St John's Ornamental and Memorial Gardens". The gardens were designed by the corporation surveyor Thomas Shelmerdine
Thomas Shelmerdine
Thomas Shelmerdine was and English architect who was appointed to the post of City Surveyor of Liverpool at the age of 26. He is the youngest person to have held that post....
. In addition to the creation of flower beds, statues and memorials were erected in the gardens.
Monuments
The gardens contain seven memorial statues, each of which has been designated by English HeritageEnglish Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
as a Grade II listed building. The Rathbone Monument commemorates William Rathbone
William Rathbone VI
William Rathbone VI was an English merchant and businessman noted for his philanthropic and public work...
who died in 1902, although the monument had been made in 1899. It was created by George Frampton
George Frampton
Sir George James Frampton, RA was a notable British sculptor and leading member of the New Sculpture movement.-Early life and career:...
, and consists of a bronze robed figure standing on a stone pedestal
Pedestal
Pedestal is a term generally applied to the support of a statue or a vase....
. Its inscription records that Rathbone founded the district nursing
District nurse
District Nurses are senior nurses who manage care within the community, leading teams of community nurses and support workers. Typically much of their work involves visiting house-bound patients to provide advice and care, for example, palliative care, wound management, catheter and continence...
movement, and the forerunners of the Universities of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
and North Wales
Bangor University
Bangor University is a university based in the city of Bangor in the county of Gwynedd in North Wales-United Kingdom.It was officially known for most of its history as the University College of North Wales...
. The Gladstone Monument is to the memory of W. E. Gladstone
William Ewart Gladstone
William Ewart Gladstone FRS FSS was a British Liberal statesman. In a career lasting over sixty years, he served as Prime Minister four separate times , more than any other person. Gladstone was also Britain's oldest Prime Minister, 84 years old when he resigned for the last time...
, a former Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
, who was born in Liverpool and who died in 1898. The monument dates from 1904 and was made by Thomas Brock
Thomas Brock
Sir Thomas Brock KCB RA was an English sculptor.- Life :Brock was born in Worcester, attended the School of Design in Worcester and then undertook an apprenticeship in modelling at the Worcester Royal Porcelain Works. In 1866 he became a pupil of the sculptor John Henry Foley. He married in 1869,...
. It consists of a bronze figure of Gladstone holding books and a roll of parchment, standing on a stone pedestal containing carvings of female figures representing Truth and Justice. The Balfour Monument commemorates Alexander Balfour
Alexander Balfour
Alexander Balfour was a Scottish merchant and founder of the Liverpool shipping company Balfour Williamson.Balfour was born in Leven, Fife, the son of Henry Balfour, a foundry owner...
, businessman and philanthropist who died in 1886. The monument dates from 1889, was sculpted by A. Bruce Joy, and consists of a bronze figure on a stone pedestal. The Lester Monument is to the memory of Canon T. Major Lester who died in 1903, and who founded charities for children in Liverpool. It was made by George Frampton, erected in 1907, and depicts a bronze figure holding a child, standing on a stone pedestal. The Nugent Memorial commemorates James Nugent
James Nugent
Monsignor James Nugent was a Roman Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Liverpool. Because he was also a pioneer with is work in relation to child welfare, poverty relief and social reform, Nugent Care was founded upon his ideals.Nugent was born on 3 March 1822 in Hunter Street, Liverpool...
, a Roman Catholic priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
who worked with child welfare. The monument is dated 1906, was created by F. W. Pomeroy
F. W. Pomeroy
Frederick William Pomeroy RA was a prolific British sculptor of architectural and monumental works.He was born in London, the son of an artist-craftsman. He trained with William Silver Frith at the South London Technical School of Art , where he was also taught by Jules Dalou...
, and consists of a bronze figure in the attitude of blessing
Blessing
A blessing, is the infusion of something with holiness, spiritual redemption, divine will, or one's hope or approval.- Etymology and Germanic paganism :...
, and a ragged boy, both standing on a stone pedestal decorated with a bronze wreath. The Forwood Monument is to the memory of Sir Arthur Forwood
Sir Arthur Forwood, 1st Baronet
Sir Arthur Bower Forwood, 1st Baronet PC MP was an English merchant, shipowner, and politician. He was a Conservative Member of Parliament from 1885 until his death, and in 1895 he was created a baronet....
, a local businessman and politician, who died in 1898. The monument was erected in 1903, was made by George Frampton and, again, is a bronze figure on a stone pedestal. Also in the gardens is a monument commemorating the service of the King's Regiment in the South African War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
. It is dated 1905 and was sculpted by Sir W. Goscombe John
Goscombe John
Sir William Goscombe John R.A. , was a Welsh sculptor.-Biography:He was born in Canton, Cardiff and as a youth assisted his father, Thomas John, a wood carver, in the restoration of Cardiff Castle...
. It is in white stone with a bronze wreath, and includes the figure of Britannia
Britannia
Britannia is an ancient term for Great Britain, and also a female personification of the island. The name is Latin, and derives from the Greek form Prettanike or Brettaniai, which originally designated a collection of islands with individual names, including Albion or Great Britain. However, by the...
, military objects, standing soldiers, and a drummer boy
Drummer boy (military)
Drummer boys were children recruited as military drummers for use on the battlefield.Armies regularly recruited young boys for this service, well into the nineteenth century...
. Also listed at Grade II are the stone walls and the gate piers
Pier (architecture)
In architecture, a pier is an upright support for a superstructure, such as an arch or bridge. Sections of wall between openings function as piers. The simplest cross section of the pier is square, or rectangular, although other shapes are also common, such as the richly articulated piers of Donato...
surrounding the gardens. They date from 1904 and were designed by Thomas Shelmerdine.