Monument record 11198 - House of Mercy, Handbridge

Please read our .

Summary

A House of Mercy, refuge for girls was built on Lache Lane in 1889 for unmarried mothers and their babies. The site comprised a long narrow range parallel to and set back from the road with a lodge by the front gate. By 1915 the site had included a chapel. The mothers stayed at the home for two years, working in the on-site laundrette that funded the institution. In 1950 the laundry service was abandoned in favour of charitable donations at the home finally closed in 1973.

Map

Type and Period (2)

Full Description

A House of Mercy, refuge for girls was built on Lache Lane in 1889 for unmarried mothers and their babies. The site comprised a long narrow range parallel to and set back from the road with a lodge by the front gate. By 1915 the site had included a chapel. The mothers stayed at the home for two years, working in the on-site laundrette that funded the institution. In 1950 the laundry service was abandoned in favour of charitable donations at the home finally closed in 1973. (3)


<1> Ordnance Survey, 1872-1875, Metric Ten Foot Scale Town Plan of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH6780.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

<3> Cheshire and Chester Archives and Local Studies Centre, St Bridget's Mother and Baby Home, Chester, EDM 18 (Paper Archive). SCH6931.

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Maps and Plans: Ordnance Survey. 1872-1875. Metric Ten Foot Scale Town Plan of Chester. 1:500.
  • <2> Maps and Plans: Ordnance Survey. 1871-1882. Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire. 25 inches to 1 mile.
  • <3> Paper Archive: Cheshire and Chester Archives and Local Studies Centre. St Bridget's Mother and Baby Home, Chester. EDM 18.

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

External Links (0)

Location

Grid reference Centred SJ 399 648 (148m by 145m) (2 map features)
Map sheet SJ36SE
Civil Parish CHESTER NON PARISH AREA, CHESTER, CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER
Historic Township/Parish/County CHESTER ST MARY ON THE HILL, CHESTER ST MARY ON THE HILL, CHESHIRE

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Record last edited

Feb 3 2015 8:28AM