St Edward's Orphanage, Liverpool, Lancashire
St Edward's Orphanage was established in 1903 at Thingwall Lane, Broad Green, Liverpool. It was run by the Brothers of Charity and could accommodate up to 300 Roman Catholic boys
The location of the home is shown on the 1927 map below.
![St Edward's Orphanage site, Liverpool, c.1927.](LiverpoolStEdwardMap1927-2500.gif)
St Edward's Orphanage site, Liverpool, c.1927.
![St Edward's Orphanage entrance block, Liverpool, early 1900s.](LiverpoolStEdward1.jpg)
St Edward's Orphanage entrance block, Liverpool, c.1920s. © Peter Higginbotham
![St Edward's Orphanage entrance, Liverpool, early 1900s.](LiverpoolStEdward2.jpg)
St Edward's Orphanage entrance, Liverpool, c.1920s. © Peter Higginbotham
![St Edward's Orphanage from the south-east, Liverpool, early 1900s.](LiverpoolStEdward3.jpg)
St Edward's Orphanage from the south-east, Liverpool, c.1920s. © Peter Higginbotham
![St Edward's Orphanage from the south-east, Liverpool, early 1900s.](LiverpoolStEdward10.jpg)
St Edward's Orphanage from the east, Liverpool, c.1920s. © Peter Higginbotham
![St Edward's Orphanage inner quadrangle, Liverpool, c. 1920s.](LiverpoolStEdward8.jpg)
St Edward's Orphanage inner quadrangle, Liverpool, c.1920s. © Peter Higginbotham
![St Edward's Orphanage dining-room and concert hall, Liverpool, c. 1920s.](LiverpoolStEdward11.jpg)
St Edward's Orphanage dining-room and concert hall, Liverpool, c.1920s. © Peter Higginbotham
![St Edward's Orphanage chapel interior, Liverpool, c. 1920s.](LiverpoolStEdward7.jpg)
St Edward's Orphanage chapel interior, Liverpool, c.1920s. © Peter Higginbotham
![St Edward's Orphanage, Liverpool entrance to boys' playground, early 1900s.](LiverpoolStEdward4.jpg)
St Edward's Orphanage entrance to boys' playground, Liverpool, c.1920s. © Peter Higginbotham
Boys at the home were taught various manual skills such as carpentry and shoe-making.
![St Edward's Orphanage manual instruction workshop, Liverpool, c. 1920s.](LiverpoolStEdward5.jpg)
St Edward's Orphanage manual instruction workshop, Liverpool, c.1920s. © Peter Higginbotham
From around 1914, the home had its wind band. The band allowed boys to develop their musical skills and also performed at local events such as fetes.
![St Edward's Orphanage band, Liverpool, date unknown.](LiverpoolStEdward6.jpg)
St Edward's Orphanage, Liverpool band, date unknown. © Peter Higginbotham
![St Edward's Orphanage band, Liverpool, date unknown.](LiverpoolStEdward9.jpg)
St Edward's Orphanage, Liverpool band, date unknown. © Peter Higginbotham
The orphanage closed in 1956 and many of the orphanage buildings have since been demolished. The site is still occupied by the Brothers of Charity and now provides a residential care home and other social support services.
Records
Note: many repositories impose a closure period of up to 100 years for records identifying individuals. Before travelling a long distance, always check that the records you want to consult will be available.
Bibliography
- Higginbotham, Peter Children's Homes: A History of Institutional Care for Britain s Young (2017, Pen & Sword)
Links
Except where indicated, this page () © Peter Higginbotham. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.