Churchyard

A peaceful space

The Church Yard that surrounds St Chad’s is a most beautiful space that changes in character throughout the year. In the spring it is filled with wild flowers – snowdrops and crocuses at first, bluebells and white bells later on, mown lawns throughout the summer. It is a small oasis of peace and beauty in a bustling urban town.

The church yard is also a reminder of our human limitations. Many of the gravestones describe loss and speak of lives from previous generations that have passed through childhood, strong and fruitful years and have succombed to frailty and death. Yet in many cases with hope. To those of us who live in a world that concentrates so much on the material things, and that looses hope in the face of eternity, this can even be a comforting place.

It is also an exposed and vulnerable place. There are those who are insensitive to its beauty and who abuse it. Another reflection of a materialistic world.

Grave Plots

Occasionally families want to make changes to a memorial. These are governed by regulations a summary of which can be downloaded here. (You will need Acrobat Reader). Please refer to our funeral arrangements page if you want to enquire about further burials including ashes. See below also.

Improving things

The church yard is now being looked after by Knowsley Borough Council’s Cemeteries Department. It is hoped that over the next couple of years a good deal of remedial work will be done to clear away ugly shrubbery and manage the grounds better. Clearing brambles from the back section will uncover many historic headstones. The attraction of this has got to be weighed against the risk of their being abused and smashed. The church seeks the comments of local people concerned about the church yard.

In order to place the church yard’s maintenance in the council’s hand it has been closed to new graves. This is difficult as it is the only burial place in Kirkby. Graves that are not full can be re-opened still. You need to contact St Chad’s directly in this instance.

Any additions to monuments and memorials, or new items to be placed in the church yard, must have the agreement of the Rector and Churchwardens. A fee may be charged. Please contact St Chad’s for details.

Links:

Some Frequently Asked Questions about the Churchyard
Churchyard regulations for headstones and monuments etc.
Making funeral arrangements
Bereavement Support Team

Detailed survey of the Churchyard
This web site provided by Rosalind Lloyd provides a great deal of Genealogical information on burials at St Chad’s as well as general information on the Churchyard.

You can make a donation to St Chad’s by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/stchadkirkby
or send a text to 70070 and type: chad99 followed by the amount you want to give between £1 – £10.

7 thoughts on “Churchyard

  1. Vivienne Cote

    Dear Sir
    I have been searching for my Grandmother’s grave for some time. I know she died on July 3 1957 at Whiston Hospital. She lived in Kirkby on Kirby Road. The cemetery at your church seems to be the likely place of her burial. I live in Canada so it is not possible for me to search your records myself. Her name was Catherine Philomena Burns, born 1887 .I realize you are busy and that you may not be able to help, but any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated, including the name of other possible cemeteries in the area.
    Best regards
    Vivienne Cote

    Reply
    1. Timothy Stratford Post author

      You can search for all burials in St Chad’s Churchyard here: https://www.cofekirkby.co.uk/rosalindlloydspages/

      I have had a look for for grandmother’s details based on the information that you have left and cannot find any details listed here however.

      A great many burials from Kirkby have historically gone to cemeteries in Liverpool, especially West Derby Cemetery, Kirkdale Cemetery and Everton Cemetery. These are more likely than the neighbouring churchyard at St Mary, Knowsley.

      Reply
  2. Michael Ryding

    Hi Tim,

    I’ve been trying to find the St Chads School Register from 1806 to 1845 (for my family history search) after it was referenced in ‘A Thousand Years of History’ – AG Plant – Chapter 3 pages 18-19.

    Sadly, although the Liverpool archives have the log from 1865 onwards they have no record of the earlier logs. It’s a shot in the dark I’m afraid but do you have any ideas where they may be now? Or perhaps another contact to keep the game afoot 🙂

    Thanks very much for your time, it’s very much appreciated

    Michael

    Reply
  3. Ann

    Dear Sir

    I have been trying to use the brilliant website of the detailed study of your churchyard which I have used many times in the past.

    However the link to the survey does not appear to be working, nor can i find it via ‘my bookmarks’. Please can you tell me how I can access it.

    thank you
    Ann

    Reply

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