Old Images of St Helens

Historic Book

Extract from

‘History, Topography, and Directory of Mid-Lancashire, with an Essay on Geology’

by P. Mannex

Published in 1855

Pages 761-766

SAINT HELENS is a flourishing market town and parish , in
the hundred of West Derby , 9 miles S.W. from Wigan , 12
E. by N. from Liverpool , 21 W. by S. from Manchester , 30 % S.W.
from Preston , and 2014 N. W. from London , -rail distances .

The
parish comprises the township of Windle , and portions of the town
ships of Parr and Sutton ; and the town is situate at the junction of
those townships and that of Eccleston , a considerable part being
in each township , in the heart of an important coal district . It was
formerly subordinate to the parish church of Prescot , but by an order
in council , dated December , 1852 , has been constituted a separate and
independent parish .

The establishment here of the various important
works which have so materially contributed to the increase and
prosperity of the town , may be ascribed to the cheap and abundant
supply of coal , the proximity of the place to the port of Liverpool ,
and the facility afforded by railway for the conveyance of manufac
tures and merchandise to all the principal towns in the kingdom .

” In the year 1773 , ” writes Mr. Baines , ” a commercial company
was established , called the British Plate Glass Company , who were
incorporated by act of Parliament , and erected their manufactory
at Ravenhead , in the township of Sutton , near St. Helens . This
establishment occupies nearly 30 acres of land , and is enclosed by
a wall , round which are placed the houses of the workmen , which
renders it a sort of distinct colony . The buildings cost at that time
£ 40,000 , and about 300 people are constantly employed in these
works , which are the largest of the kind in the kingdom .

The
manufacture was introduced by workmen from France , and is
brought to great perfection . Plates of glass are cast of the dimensions
of 140 by 72 inches , and concave and convex mirrors made of 36
inches diameter . The glass is as brilliant in colour and as perfect
in every respect , as the French or Venetian plates , and is finished
in such a manner as to render it perfectly free from that mistiness
to which foreign fabrics are subject . The casting of glass is
performed here with great skill and dexterity ; and the plates are
of more than double the dimensions of those made in the Venetian
way of blowing , with the further advantage of all kinds of borders
and mouldings . ”

” Near to St. Helens , ” continues the same writer ,
” in the townships of Sutton and Eccleston , there are three other
manufactories for crown and flint glass , and black glass bottles , as
well as several black earthen and stone ware potteries , and a large
cotton mill ; there are also two large breweries , viz . , one at Denton’s

green , and one at St. Helens .

About 45 years ago , an extensive
copper work was erected here by the proprietors of the Paris mine ,
in Anglesea , Messrs . Hughes , Williams , and Co. , for the purpose of
smelting and refining copper ore ; and the same company had a
branch of their works upon the Sankey Canal .

The Ravenhead
works manufactured 30 tons weekly of small copper bars , not
exceeding in weight seven ounces troy each , These ingots were
made for the East India Company , and exported to China , where
they are said to have passed for coin .

The copper works were
discontinued in the year 1815 , but without producing any material
interruption to the progressive prosperity of St. Helens the mining
and manufacturing operations of which have risen to such a mag
nitude that there are at present , ( May , 1825 , ) no fewer than 69
steam engines at work in this and the adjoining townships , whose
aggregate amount of power is equal to the strength of 1369 horses . “

Thus wrote Mr. Baines about thirty years ago , since which time ,
many extensive glass and other works have been established here ,
as will be seen by the Directory .

The London and Manchester
Plate Glass Works were established in 1837 , in the township of
Sutton , under the name of the Liverpool and Manchester Glass
Company ; but not having proved prosperous , were sold in 1845 to
a new Company , styled the London and Manchester Plate Glass
Company , who have since enlarged operations to such an extent ,
that their works now rank as the largest plate glass works , not only
in Great Britain , but probably in the world . They are under the
efficient management of William Blinkhorn , Esq .

In addition to
the extensive Glass , Bottle , and Earthenware manufactories , there
are also in the town and neighbourhood four Breweries , several
Brick – makers , manufacturing Chemists , Coal Proprietors , Copper
and Smelting Works , three Oil Refiners , Slate and Timber Merchants ,
Stone Masons , Quarry Owners , and the various other miscellaneous
trades usually found in most towns ; and St. Helens has long been
famed for the manufacture of watch movements of great excellence .

The town is well lighted with gas by a company incorporated by
act of parliament , in 1832 , and the works , which are situate in
Warrington street , at the east side of the town , contain two gas
ometers , one capable of holding 140,000 , and the other 25,000
cubic feet of gas , which is sold to the consumers at a low rate . Mr.
Joseph Pritchard is manager .

St. Helens is also furnished with
an abundant supply of good water , from the Eccleston Water
Works , situate about two miles from the town , on the Prescot
road . These works were constructed in 1853 , by the St. Helens
Improvement Commissioners , at a cost of about £ 12,000 .

The
reservoir is capable of containing about 500,000 gallons , and the

water is lifted by a 50 horse power Cornish engine , and conveyed
to the town by a 12 – inch pipe . The works are now very efficiently
managed by Mr. Joseph Whittle .

The Parish Church of St. Helens , dedicated to St. Mary , is a
spacious brick edifice in Church street , enlarged in 1816 , to double
its former size . In the same year a new burial ground was purchased
from Bamber Gascoyne , Esq . , at a cost of between £ 3000 and
£ 4000 . The dimensions of the present Church are 75 by 783 feet ,
and the stipend of the minister arises from land left for that purpose ,
and from purchases made with money obtained from Queen Anne’s
Bounty . Previous to its enlargement it was dedicated to Saint
Helen ; hence the name of the town . The living is a perpetual
curacy , in the gift of trustees , and now in the incumbency of the
Rev. Edward Carr .

St. Thomas’s Church , Westfield street , is a handsome cruciform
brick building , with stone facings , erected in 1839 , at a cost of about
£ 4000 . It contains a fine stained glass window , with a life – size
figure of Saint Thomas in its centre , and the figures of a lamb and
dove in its side compartments . This district church will afford
sitting accommodation to about 800 persons . The living is a perpetual
curacy , worth £ 170 per annum , in the gift of the representatives
of the late Peter Greenall , Esq . The Rev. George Thornton
Mostyn is the present incumbent .

Christ Church , Eccleston , is also a district church , and was
built in the year 1838. It is a neat gothic edifice of red freestone ,
with a spiral tower at the west end , and will seat about 400 persons .
The living is a perpetual curacy , in the patronage of Samuel Taylor ,
Esq . , and incumbency of the Rev. R. P. Crockett .

St. Peter’s Church , in the township of Parr , is a neat building ,
and the living is now in the incumbency of the Rev. Abraham
Nunn .

St. Michael’s Church , Sutton , is under the ministry of the Rev.
H. E. F. Vallancey .

The Catholics , who are a numerous body in St. Helens and
neighbourhood , have a spacious Church at Low House , Crab street ,
capable of seating about 1000 persons . It is dedicated to St.
Mary , is richly decorated , and has a good organ . The Revs .
Thomas Ullathorne , J. C. Maxwell , and E. Costello , are the
officiating priests .

St. Anne’s Catholic Church , Sutton , is a hand
some gothic building , erected in 1849 , at the sole expense of Mr.
John Smith , of Mount Pleasant , Sutton , who has also erected here
a Monastery and School . The Rev. Fathers Bernardine , Albert ,
and Xavier , are the officiating priests .

There is another very neat
Catholic Church at Black Brook , about 2 miles E. by N. from St.

Helens , erected in 1845 , by the Misses Orrell of that place . It is
a stone building , in the Gothic style of architecture , is dedicated in
honour of the Blessed Virgin , under the title of the Immaculate
Conception , and is now under the pastoral care of the Rev. John
Flynn .

” A Catholic Chapel , ” says Mr. Baines , ” which formerly stood
at Windleshaw , near St. Helens , is supposed to have been dedicated
to St. Thomas , from a well , which is still called St. Thomas’s well .
This old chapel is said to have been demolished during the wars of
Charles I. , and the yard is still used as a burial ground .

A Catholic
Chapel of modern date was opened on the 1st of September , 1793 ,
at Lowe House , for which the congregation is indebted to the
munificence of Mrs. Eccleston of Cowley hill . ”

Windleshaw Abbey
or ruin , about three miles north from St. Helens , is the property of
Sir Robert Gerard , bart .

The Independents have a chapel in Ormskirk street , first erected
as early as the year 1710. It was rebuilt in 1826 , and is now a
large brick edifice , under the ministry of the Rev. John Edmonds .

In Raven street is a Friends Meeting House , one of the most ancient
in the county , endowed with considerable property , the interest of
which is applied to charitable purposes .

The Wesleyan Methodists
have chapels in Tontine street , St. Helens , and Nut grove , Sutton ,
the former built in 1814 ; and the Primitive Methodists have one
in Mount street .

Schools are established in connection with all the places of
worship , and several are on the national system . St. Thomas’s
National School is a neat building , erected in 1843 , by subscrip
tion , aided by a grant from the National Society ; and the
National School , in Baldwin street , which was enlarged in 1854 ,
has an endowment of £ 25 a year . The Wesleyan School , in
Waterloo street , was built in 1854 , by subscription , and a government
grant . In 1835 , a school was erected in Westfield street , by the
late Peter Greenall , Esq . , and was subsequently endowed by his
widow . It is conducted by Miss Jane Hordley . The Catholic
School , Crab street , is a large building , erected by subscription , in
1850 , and is numerously attended .

St. Helens also enjoys the advantage of a few endowed free
schools , where several children , of both sexes , are instructed in
reading , writing , arithmetic , & c . Cowley’s British Schools , in College
street , owe their foundation , we believe , to Sarah Cowley , who , in
the year 1714 , bequeathed an estate in Parr , for the instruction of
the children of poor parents , belonging to Windle .

A SAVING’S BANK was opened on the 18th of June , 1855 , since
which date , to the 3rd of September following , the number of

depositors was 76 , and the amount of deposits about £ 900 .
There are at present 5 trustees , and about 100 managers . The
Bank is open on Mondays from 12 to 1 , and on Saturdays from 6
to 7 P.M. Mr. J. Marsh , is Actuary .

The Rainhill County Pauper Lunatic Asylum , in the township
of Sutton , about two miles south from St. Helens , is a large and
beautiful building of red freestone , in the Italian style of architecture ,
and attached to it are about 48 acres of land , the principal portion
of which is cultivated , and tastefully laid out in ornamental grounds .
This laudable and truly charitable institution was opened 1st of
January , 1851 , for the reception of insane paupers , of whom there
are now , ( August , 1855 , ) upwards of 400 , of both sexes .

The
establishment is superintended by J. D. Clayton , Esq . , surgeon , & c .
Richard Adams , Esq . , is house surgeon , and Mr. R. C. Lewis , clerk
and steward . Attached to the institution is a neat Gothic church ,
having sitting accomodation for 166 male , and 173 female patients ,
and 43 officers . Rev. H. H. Higgins , M.A. , is chaplain .

The Town Hall , is a substantial building in the Market place ,
where petty sessions are held once a fortnight , and a court every
alternate Wednesday , under the new county court act , for , the
recovery of debts not exceeding £ 50 . W. A. Hulton , Esq . , is judge ;
W. Massey , high bailiff ; and John Ansdell , clerk of the county
court and to the magistrates .

A Mechanics ‘ Institute , also held in
the Town Hall , affords facilities for the moral and intellectual
improvement of the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood .

Here is also a News Room , of which W. Johnson is secretary ; and
in the Town – hall buildings are Assembly Rooms , Police and Con
stabulary Station , and Town Commissioners ‘ Office . W. Storey
is superintendent of police ; J. Mc . Manus , surveyor to the com
missioners ; J. Edge , collector ; ‘ and Edward Johnson , solicitor and
clerk .

The Market is held on Saturday , and fairs for toys , pedlery , & c . ,
are held on the first Tuesday after Easter week , and the first
Saturday after 11th of September .

The Market House , and oblong brick building , opposite the
Town hall , erected in 1851 , is well lighted from a partially glazed
roof , and is used for the sale of pedlery , vegetables , and other articles ;
and adjoining the Town hall is a neat range of butchers ‘ shops ,
occupying the north side of Exchange street . “

St. Helens is described in the parliamentary census as being in
the township of Windle , under which head the population is returned .
According to these returns the number of inhabitants in 1801 was
3252 ; in 1811 , 4294 ; in 1821 , 4820 ; in 1841 , 6918. But the
actual population of the town is now computed at about 18,000 .

Windle township is nearly all the property of Sir Robert Gerard ,
bart . , who is lord of the manor , and its rateable value in 1854 ,
amounted to £ 23,640 6s . 5d .

Denton’s Green is a small but
pleasant village in this township , 14 mile N. by W. from St. Helens .
It contains a brewery , two good inns , a few farm houses , and some
cottages . A court leet and baron is held here annually , in November ,
at the Gerard’s Arms inn , by Sir Róbert Gerard .

Moss Bank is
another village in Windle , occupying a healthy and pleasant situa
tion , 2 miles N. from St. Helens . Here are also two respectable
inns , two schools , a few farm houses , and several cottages . The
Church of England service is performed on Sunday , in the National
School here , which is a neat building , opened the 30th of April . The other is a Catholic School , supported by Sir Robert
Gerard , who also supplies the school with all necessaries .

Hardshaw
forms a considerable suburb to St. Helens , and Gerard’s Bridge
is a considerable village in Windle , 1 mile N.N.E. from St. Helens .
Here are chemical works and an extensive earthenware manufactory .

To our notice of Eccleston , at page 619 , we may add , that its
population in 1801 , was 6247 , and in 1851 , 8508.

Parr township
belongs to various owners , and contains the hamlets of Ashton
Green 1 mile E.S.E. from St. Helens . It formerly belonged to a
family of that name , barons of Kendal , and subsequently to the
Byroms . Its rateable value in 1855 was £ 11,292 18s . 4d .

The
eastern , and south – eastern portions of the town , extend into the
townships of Parr and Sutton , and the western portion into that
of Eccleston .

The rateable value of Sutton in 1854 , was £ 27,694

8d . , and its population in 1841 was 4975 , and in 1851 , 5288 .

Ravenhead , and Marshall’s Cross , are two hamlets in Sutton town
ship , the former one mile S.W. , and the latter 2 miles S. from St.
Helens .