Birkenhead Priory facts for kids
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Birkenhead Priory is a very old and important place in Birkenhead, Merseyside, England. It's the oldest building still standing in the whole Merseyside area! This special site includes the ancient parts of the priory, a building called the chapter house, and what's left of St Mary's church. All these parts are protected because they are so important to history. They are listed on the National Heritage List for England, which means they are recognized for their historical value.
The Priory's Ancient Story
How Birkenhead Priory Began
The priory was started around the year 1150. A nobleman named Hamon de Masci, who was the 3rd Baron of Dunham Massey, founded it. He created it for a group of monks called the Benedictine Order. These monks lived and prayed there.
Royal Visits and Importance
Birkenhead Priory was very important because it was close to the Irish Sea and the border with Wales. Because of its location, King Edward I visited the priory twice. Later, in 1318, the monks received special permission from King Edward II. This permission allowed them to run a ferry service across the River Mersey.
The Ferry and Shelter House
With their new ferry rights, the monks built a house near the river. This house was used to store their corn. It also served as a safe place for travelers to stay if the weather was too bad for the ferry to cross the Mersey.
Protecting History: Listed Buildings
The old parts of the priory are considered a Grade I listed building. This is the highest level of protection for historical buildings in England. It is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument, which means it's a nationally important archaeological site.
The Chapter House and Its Use
The priory's chapter house was built in the late 1100s. It was fixed up a lot in the early 1900s. After the Reformation, it became a chapel and is still used today for Anglican church services. It is a Grade II* listed building, meaning it's also very important. It has parts of Norman architecture, which is a style from the 11th and 12th centuries. The chapter house was restored again in 2005.
The Scriptorium and HMS Conway
The top floor of the chapter house is called the Scriptorium. This room has a special chapel inside it. This chapel is dedicated to a famous training ship called HMS Conway.
St Mary's Tower: A Landmark
St Mary's Tower was once part of Birkenhead's first parish church. This church opened in 1821 right on the priory grounds. The tower is a Grade II listed building, showing its historical value.
The Museum at the Priory
Today, the ground floor of the Frater House at the priory has a museum. This museum tells the story of the entire site, from its beginnings to modern times.
Changes in the Twentieth Century
Impact of New Construction
In 1925, the area around the priory began to change a lot. Many homes were removed to make way for the Queensway Tunnel. This tunnel connects Birkenhead to Liverpool. Later, in the 1960s, the nearby Cammell Laird shipyard expanded its dry dock. This expansion caused the church to lose a large part of its graveyard.
The Church's Decline and Closure
More road construction for the Mersey Tunnel made it hard for people to reach the church. This meant fewer people attended services. Because of this, St. Mary's Church closed in 1974. For safety reasons, parts of it were taken down a year later. Only the old church tower and some outer walls remain today.
Remembering HMS Thetis
The tower has since been repaired and improved. It is now dedicated to the people who died in HMS Thetis, a submarine that sank in 1939.
The Laird Family Vault
The churchyard also holds the burial vault of the Laird family. This includes John Laird (1805–74). John Laird was Birkenhead's first Member of Parliament. He also helped start the Cammell Laird shipbuilding company, which was right next to the priory.
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See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Merseyside
- Listed buildings in Birkenhead
