Thursday, December 19 – 1878
The new schools which have just been erected in Belmont-road, in connection with St. Margaret’s Church, Anfield, were opened yesterday. The building consists of spacious schools for boys and girls, with classrooms having accommodation for 472 children, and it is hoped that an infant school will be added at some future period. An excellent house for a schoolmistress has also been provided.
The schools are intended to be of a first-class character, and the fees will be at the highest rate that will enable a Government grant to be obtained, namely, 9d. a week, this description of school being considered most suitable to the wants of the population.
The classrooms are capacious and admirably fitted up, having been furnished with all modern appliances in the most complete manner. The building has been erected in the French Gothic style of architecture, to correspond with the magnificent church to which it is contiguous; the architects being Messrs. Fry, and the contractor Mr. T. Urmson.
In connection with the opening ceremony, divine service was held in the church yesterday morning, the preacher being the Rev. H. Lomas, vicar of Holy Trinity, Walton-Breck. After service, the schools were formally opened with prayer for God’s blessing on the work. In the afternoon a bazaar was opened in the schoolroom, and the sale of work in connection with it will be continued today and tomorrow.
A congregational tea-party, attended by about 300 persons, was also held in the evening. The Rev. John Sheepshanks, vicar of St. Margaret’s, presided, and he was supported by Mr. A. Earle, Mr. J.H. Parker, and others.
The chairman gave some interesting statistics with regard to the new schools and the material progress of the parish. The entire cost of the schools, he said, had been £3,500, of which sum £700 was still required. The principal subscribers had been Mr. G.T.R. Preston, the late Mrs. Preston, Mr. J. Pemberton, Heywood and Mrs. Heywood, Messrs. A. Earle, G. Arkle, Harrison, Jones, and Pope.
Since the consecration of the church, five years ago, much material progress had been made in the parish. No less than £9,800, including a grant of £1,000 from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, had been raised and spent in the parish. The number of communicants had increased from 19 to 350.
After alluding to the unanimity and concord which had characterised the congregation, he observed that the new schools would be used for various purposes – a Sunday school, working men’s institute, mothers’ meetings, Bible classes, &c.
In conclusion, he expressed the hope that all would work zealously to clear off the debt, and pray that God might continue to bless the work of the church, (Applause.) – Other gentlemen delivered addresses, and the proceedings during the evening were enlivened with musical selections.
(Liverpool Mercury, 20-12-1879)
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