Many thanks to Dorothy Curtis for not only sending in the above image of the old Hoylake Parish Church (demolished in the 1970’s and discussed in this post) but for also sending me copies of newspaper articles detailing the tragic loss of five Hoylake men in a storm in 1894.
The press articles are unfortunately too large for me to upload to the site. They detail an inquest in to the loss of the lives of five Hoylake fishermen:
- John Eccles (Snr)
- Joseph Sherlock
- Joseph Rainford
- Edwin Eccles
- John Eccles (Jnr)
All men drowned at sea during what is described as The Great Storm of December 22nd, 1894. The bodies were found washed ashore at Southport. Sailing the fishing smacks (boats) called The Stag and The Ellen and Anne the men failed to reach land. I understand the men are buried in Hoylake Cemetery.
I remember this church as my grandparents lived in Trinity Road and my great grandparents are buried here. I visit the churchyard often with flowers.
My niece was Christened in this beautiful Church. The following Christening that day, was that of JULIAN LENNON!
My grandparents are also buried there. Really can’t believe that this wonderful Church has been demolished.
I was married in this church in 1951. Whaever happened to the contents? There were some stained glass windows, a carved font, and boards on which were painted the Ten Commandments. I was confirmed in St. Hildeburghs Church, which was not as friendly, and appeared to be more concerned with money than God. I was told it was built because well-to-do Hoylake residents felt that the old Hoylake Parish Church in Trinity Road (previously named Church Road) was not good enough for them.
I lived in both Trinity Road and Grosvenor Road when I was a lass. I remember passing the church on my way home from school on dull winter nights – (School Lane and Market Street) – as a child I was terrified of the place! Admittedly a lot of my family are buried in that churchyard – My Dad was a sea-faring Sherlock and his father, his grandfather and great grandfather (and further back than that again) were fishermen.
I often peek at this site and it takes me right back – I’ve not been home for 30 years .. I really should go …
My grandfather was George Reuben Armitage and my grandmother was Margaret Eccles both of whom are buried, together with their families, in Hoylake Parish Church. Hoylake Sherlock would have been quite terrified if she had passed the Church on a dark winter`s night and heard ghostly sounds from behind the grave stones whilst suddenly an apparition presented itself in the form of a choir boy or two dressed in cassock and surplus and gliding quietly ( though sofly moaning) away into the vestry for choir practice. If it happened to her I was one of those boys.
With regard to fishing, my grandfathers boats were Vigilant, Birch Castle, and a knobby named Isobel.
George retired from fishing in the late thirties and passed on in the middle forties. Grandma Eccles whom I never knew died in 1906. Both are buried together with their families in our Parish Church.
I spent many years in London and upon my return home my church had gone. An act of vandalism and the weakest of excuses given for it`s demolition.
Hoylake Philip
Hi Hoylake Philip
If your are Philip BELL (b1936), son of George BELL and Florence May nee ARMITAGE (b1901), then according to my family tree relationship-calculator you and I are 5th cousins. 🙂
Wondered if you’ve ever corresponded with Gail Brumfitt in Hobart, Tasmania, who was born 1964 in Hoylake and who according to the same relationship-calculator is your 3rd cousin once removed?
Hi Gordon,
My apologies for this late reply. Yes I am the Philip Bell to whom you refer. However I was a little thrown by your reference to Florence May Armitage, my mother. Until your post I had never known my mother had a second name. It was never used by her for reasons perhaps better known to herself. I shall never know.
However I have now confirmed according to the 1911 census that she was indeed Florence May, daughter of my grandfather George Reuben Hope Grant Armitage born 1866 and my grandmother Margaret Ellen Elsie Eccles born 1886, both of Hoylake or Hoose as it was known then.
I have no knowledge of relationship to the family Evans or the family Brumfitt . Perhaps you could enlighten me.
Reading Philip’s message reminded me of when we were coming home off the last train after a night out, we lived down Trinity Road near to the beach. We would dash down in the hope of getting past the graveyard before the street lights went off at midnight as it got very dark and spooky then.
Why didn’t we think to get an earlier train and not stay in the clubs so long ???
My understanding is that all five named were crew of the fishing smack ELLEN and ANNE.
The STAG was crewed by John BECK, his sons Harry & John BECK and his cousin George BECK.
As far as I’m aware their bodies were never found, the STAG having simply disappeared whilst on the way back to Hoylake from Anglesey during the storm of 22 December 1894.
Have just found Hoylake Junction – bringing back memories.
Saw the post by Sue, August 25th. 2010, with reference to Julian Lennon.
I was born in a flat on Back Sea View, and as a teen, lived at 20, Trinity Road, opposite the Parish Church and next door to Cynthia Powell at # 18. I met my wife-to-be on the R.M.S. Sylvania, as she and I emigrated to Canada in March 1964. We returned to the U.K. to get married, and the week before the big day, Annette came up from Kent to meet my family, so a big party was held. That Saturday night, September 4th. 1965, Annette and most of my female cousins got to see The Beatles, Cynthia Lennon and baby Julian. By standing on the toilet in the second floor bathroom, looking over the 6 foot high wall between our place and next door, they could see right into Mrs. Powell’s kitchen, The group had come back with John, so it was an exciting time for my wife and cousins.
Do you know the name of the person who owned # 20 Trinity Rd. before your family, I am trying to find the name of the person or persons who owned # 18 and # 20 in 1953. I think the owner of # 20 was a Mrs. Banks.
My parents bought in 1952, but don’t know from whom.
I think number 18 was the Roberts family. The father was sea going, but I do remember you and your Mother and Father. I married Ron Hall in 1967 and lived at number 16 till 19 69, with his parents, and then we bought number 12 from the army. The Mills family lived at number 14.
My grandparents were Elizabeth and William Mills (Lil and Bill) of 14 Trinity Road and I knew Jackie’s parents in law very well. Not sure who lived at number 18 after the Powells – my grandmother moved after the death of my grandad in 1969.