The gem that is St Chad's

St Chad’s will be open every Sunday afternoon in July and August 2011 for visitors to come and look around.  Everybody is welcome.  We will have some wardens on hand who can answer questions and provide leaflets.

1.00 – 4.00pm every* Sunday in July and August
*1.30 – 4.00pm only on 24th July and  28th August

Enjoy the beauty of the Pre-Raphaelite art inside.
Don’t miss the Saxon font.
Look at the historic church yard and site of a saxon church.
Light a candle, say a prayer, find some peace, meet with God…

Admission free.

Interested in joining us for worship on a Sunday morning click here, or on a Sunday evening click here.

Alice unveiling a ceramic collage at Kirkby Church of England School as part of the 200th Anniversary celebrations

It is with a mixture of sadness and appreciation that we mark the death of Alice Wharton on Friday 4^th December 2009.  Alice lived in Kirkby for longer than any other person ever has. She moved to a residential home in Huyton only after her 100^th birthday but has kept close links with many friends here until her death aged 102.  St Chad’s has been her spiritual home through all her years.  The church was only 32 years old when she was born

Alice Wharton, nee Appleton, was born at Rushton’s Farm, Kirkby, in 1907. The farm was situated by what was to become the Bird’s Eye Factory. She was educated at Kirkby Church of England School and has maintained close links with the school ever since. Her memories have given children a first-hand taste of history.

Our prayers are with her son Frank preparing for Alice’s funeral, which will be in Church followed by burial in the churchyard on Friday 11th December at 12.30pm

Links:

Alice’s memories of St Chad’s (pdf)

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Alice on the KMBC history web site in audio
It is worth viewing this and the subsequent 5 pages there

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Photo of "Kirkby Boys Group III" at Kirkby Church of England School between 1892 and 1893 (courtesy of Mrs RJ Webb aged 95)

Kirkby Church of England School used to be on the corner of Old Rough Lance and County Road opposite the current site of MacDonalds. For 150 years it was the only educational establishment in the town.  In the last 50 years more schools have been built as the population has grown.

Mrs Webb visited Kirkby recently, having lived away for some time, and was shocked to see the urban nature of a village she remembered as containing “lovely farm houses”.  You may just be able to detect a blue spot on the head of a young lad second from right and second from the back.  this is the only person we are currently able to identify: Edmond Rose.  His name is written on the back of the picture.  We would be glad to know of any other family memories from those days.