Rapid growth in Birkenhead's population made it necessary for the provision of a municipal cemetery.
About the cemetery
The cemetery was originally planned in the 1840s and Joseph Paxton was approached to make a design but due to the recession and subsequent decrease in population the plan went no further.
By the 1860s, the construction of a municipal cemetery was made a priority. A competition was held for the design which Edward Kemp, Curator of Birkenhead Park won. The site chosen was Flaybrick Hill, a prominent location outside of Birkenhead overlooked by Bidston Hill. 16,5 acres were purchased but were later extended to 26 acres in the 1890s. Kemp was assisted by Edward Mills, a prominent Birkenhead surveyor from Hamilton Square, and Messrs Lucy and Littler, architects of Liverpool. The general contractor was William Rimmer of Bidston Hall, with John Miller of St. Helens the contractor for buildings.
The cemetery was officially opened on May 30th, 1864, and named Birkenhead Cemetery. Three Chaples were built on the site. One is the Roman Catholic Chapel which was demolished in 1971 and a Memorial Wall erected on its site. The two other Chapels are for the Non-conformists and the Church of England. They were last used in 1975. The Registrar's office and Sexton's Lodge are now in private hands.
*Photo source: www.wikimedia.org
Address
Flaybrick Hill CemeteryTollemache Rd
CH41 0DG
United Kingdom