HOLY CROSS SCHOOL SHELTER

Holy Cross church stood on Standish street with the huge presbytery attatched to it on Great Crosshall street.The school was located in nearby Addison Street and was used as a air raid shelterwhere people would go into the basement for safety. On the night of 3rd May 1941 the sirens rang and many people made their way to the shelter. The planes came and the bombing raid began. The church and school were both hit causing terrible damage. The school took a direct hit from a parachute mine resulting in the deaths of many of those in the shelter. People who came to the rescue tried to move the rubble with their bare hands in an attempt to help those trapped below. The victims had been sheltering underneath the boys building at the school. The girls building was also being used to protect people and those who came here remained untouched by the bombing.Both the church and school were demolished and later rebuilt, the church reopening in 1954. Sadly the church closed in 2002 and was demolished in 2004. The school has also been replaced by a new building.

Holy Cross memorial garden located in Standish Street. Inside the glass case is the Pieta Statue that once stood inside the church. The garden contains memorials to men of the parish who died in both world wars and those who perished in the bombing raids.   

Looking across the memorial garden. The apartments in the background are where the church and presbytery once stood
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From the book 'little Italy' by Terry Cooke

Holy Cross church was hit and Fr Doyle and Fr Morrison tried to save it in vain, operating stirrup pumps. Parishoner John Kinsella saved the vestments and placed them in various houses for safe keeping, sadly John was to lose 12 relatives, his father, 3 sisters, two brothers-in-law, three nieces and three nephews. These were among 125 people killed when a parachute mine landed on the shelter of Holy Cross school in Addison Street. Still on Christmas eve in a church without a roof and the building in danger of collapsing, resiliant parishoners filed into the church where the priests heard their confessions.
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                                                                     Holy Cross School
                                                   Courtesy of Ron Formby/Scottie Press

                                              1968 Liverpool Echo photo showing Holy Cross school
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From the Merseyside Maratime Museums 'Spirit of the Blitz: Liverpool in the Second World War' website.

kath Garrity 27/08/2004

My family lived in Addison St, off Scotland Rd. Before the May blitz a landmine dropped outside our house, blowing in all the doors and windows, and we had to stay at a relatives house for 3 weeks until it was fit to go back. The weekend of May 3rd/4th when the air-raid sounded my Mother helped her elderly nearly blind Mother & 4 yr old son to the shelter under Addison St. School. I was aged 6 & staying with my Dad´s Mother in Midghall St. The Air-raid wardens knocked & said my Grandma, 2 Aunts and 10 yr old cousin and myself should not shelter under the stairs but go into Bibbys shelter opposite. This we did & it was hit by a bomb and we had to leave. We saw that all the row of houses in the Midghall Street were burning. We walked to the shelter under St. Mary´s Church in Highfield St. This was also bombed and we had to leave that. We then went into a small shelter nearby in Pownall Square. The watchman in the shelter had an H.P. sauce bottle full of milk. He gave me & the other children a drink out of it. My Uncle Davy Garrity was home from the Merchant Navy & he came into the shelter in the middle of the raid & said that Addison St. shelter had been bombed. We left & he carried me under his coat. It was like walking through a blizzard only the air was filled with little red burning bits of rubbish. Firemen were running their hoses onto the buildings in Pownall Square. One building was 3 to 4 storeys tall and it was blazing. Hosepipes were lying on the floor as well as lots of rubble. We eventually arrived in Addison Street to find that the Boys School had been bombed. People were digging in the debris with their bare hands. We later learned that over 100 people were killed in the shelter under the School. The other part of the shelter under the junior school was untouched and my Mother, Grandma & little brother were safe. Grandma´s house in Midghall St was completely destroyed along with the whole row. After this we used to walk to a relative´s house in Huyton. We followed the tramlines from the Mersey Tunnel in Dale St to Huyton as there were no street lights. Later on my Mother, Grandma, brother and I were evacuated to Marple near Stalybridge. My Dad stayed behind because he was a Docker which was a reserved occupation.View the website on the link below

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/exhibitions/blitz/displayzone.asp?t=1&f=1&p=2
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A drawing of the original Holy Cross Church with the presbytery to the right. This is the church that was bombed during WW2.

Courtesy of Liverpool Records Office

The rebuilt Holy Cross church with the  presbytery behind. Note the small garden that would later become the memorial garden. The garden is where it is believed once stood the cross of St Patrick who is said to have preached here before going to Ireland.

Photograph courtesy of Ron Formby/Scottie Press
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                                                         Holy Cross church during demolition in 2004    

                                      Photograph courtesy of Ron Formby/Scottie Press
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Two pics of Holy Cross Church that was rebuilt after the WW2 bombing. The photo below shows the huge presbytery. Sadly both buildings were demolished in 2004. A shameful loss. The presbytery was there at the time of the bombing.

                                             Photo's courtesy of Liverpool Records Office

At least 72 people died in the bombing of Holy Cross school. I have listed their names below.Please note that some of the victims are listed as dying at ' Addison Street Shelter ' It is of course the same shelter. 


THOMAS BRENNAN
died 03/05/1941, aged 72.
Husband of Bridget Brennan, of 70 Bispham Street. Died at Holy Cross School.
Thomas had a son called Gerald who was killed in a bombing at Adlington Street on 13/03/1941 aged 32.

AGNES BROWN
died 03/05/1941, aged 25.
of 7 Bispham Street. Wife of J. J. Brown. Died at Holy Cross School.

CATHERINE CLARKE
died 03/05/1941, aged 15.
of 90 Bispham Street. Daughter of Elizabeth and of the late Edward Clarke, R.N. Died at Holy Cross School.

EDWARD CLARKE
died 03/05/1941, aged 18.
of 90 Bispham Street. Son of Elizabeth and of the late Edward Clarke, R.N. Died at Holy Cross School.

ELIZABETH CLARKE
died 03/05/1941, aged 39.
of 90 Bispham Street. Widow of Edward Clarke, R.N. Died at Holy Cross School.

ELLEN CLARKE
died 03/05/1941, aged 10.
of 90 Bispham Street. Daughter of Elizabeth and of the late Edward Clarke, R.N. Died at Holy Cross School.

JAMES CLARKE
died 03/05/1941, aged 8.
of 90 Bispham Street. Son of Elizabeth and of the late Edward Clarke, R.N. Died at Holy Cross School.

RICHARD CLARKE
died 03/05/1941, aged 10.
of 90 Bispham Street. Son of Elizabeth and of the late Edward Clarke, R.N. Died at Holy Cross Shool. Twin of Ellen listed above.

ROSE ANNE CLARKE
died 03/05/1941, aged 16.
of 90 Bispham Street. Daughter of Elizabeth and of the late Edward Clarke, R.N. Died at Holy Cross School.

CATHERINE CLAYTON
died 03/05/1941, aged 3.
of 40 Bispham Street. Daughter of James Clayton (H.M. Forces), and of Ellen Clayton. Died at Holy Cross School.

ELLEN CLAYTON
died 03/05/1941, aged 29.
of 40 Bispham Street. Wife of James Clayton (H.M. Forces). Died at Holy Cross School.

MARY CLAYTON
died 03/05/1941, aged 6.
of 40 Bispham Street. Daughter of James Clayton (H.M. Forces), and of Ellen Clayton. Died at Holy Cross School.

HUGH CONNOLLY
died 03/05/1941, aged 57.
of 8 Addison Street. Died at Holy Cross School.

MARY ELLEN CREAMER
died 03/05/1941, aged 52.
of 22 Bispham Street. Widow of Thomas Creamer. Died at Holy Cross School.

CATHERINE EDWARDS
died 03/05/1941, aged 30.
of 20 Bispham Street. Daughter of Esther and Thomas Hughes, of 232 Hornby Street, wife of James Edwards. Died at Addison Street Shelter.

ESTHER EDWARDS
died 03/05/1941, aged 2 Months.
of 20 Bispham Street. Daughter of James and Catherine Edwards. Died at Addison Street Shelter.

JAMES EDWARDS
died 03/05/1941, aged 28.
of 20 Bispham Street. Son of James Edwards; husband of Catherine Edwards. Died at Addison Street Shelter.

JAMES EDWARDS
died 03/05/1941, aged 8.
of 20 Bispham Street. Son of James and Catherine Edwards. Died at Addison Street Shelter.

TERESA EDWARDS
died 03/05/1941, aged 5.
of 20 Bispham Street. Daughter of James and Catherine Edwards. Died at Addison Street Shelter.

WILLIAM JAMES FARRELL
died 03/05/1941, aged 28.
of 40 Woodstock Gardens. Died at Addison Street.

CATHERINE FINN
died 03/05/1941, aged 21.
Daughter of Margaret Finn, of 62 Bispham Street. Died at Holy Cross School.

CHRISTINA FINNIGAN
died 03/05/1941, aged 17.
of 58 Bispham Street. Daughter of Lilian, and of the late Michael Finnigan. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

MARGARET FINNIGAN
died 03/05/1941, aged 12.
of 58 Bispham Street. Daughter of Lilian and of the late Michael Finnigan. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

MICHAEL FINNIGAN
died 03/05/1941, aged 16.
of 58 Bispham Street. Son of Lilian and of the late Michael Finnigan. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

LILIAN FINNIGAN
died 03/05/1941, aged 39.
of 58 Bispham Street. Daughter of John and Lilian Coogan, of 68 Birkett Street; widow of Michael Finnigan. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

LILIAN FINNIGAN
died 03/05/1941, aged 14.
of 58 Bispham Street. Daughter of Lilian and of the late Michael Finnigan. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

EILEEN FRANCES FITZGERALD
died 03/05/1941, aged 16.
Daughter of William Fitzgerald, of 61 Midghall Street, and of Mary Elizabeth Fitzgerald. Died at Holy Cross School.

MARY CATHERINE FITZGERALD
died 03/05/1941, aged 18.
Daughter of William Fitzgerald, of 61 Midghall Street, and of Mary Elizabeth Fitzgerald. Died at Holy Cross School.

MARY ELIZABETH FITZGERALD
died 03/05/1941, aged 53.
Wife of William Fitzgerald, of 61 Midghall Street. Died at Holy Cross School.

EMILY FLYNN
died 03/05/1941, aged 29.
of 60 Bispham Street. Wife of Francis Flynn. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

ELIZABETH FLYNN
died 03/05/1941, aged 4.
of 60 Bispham Street. Daughter of Francis and Emily Flynn. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

FRANCIS FLYNN
died 03/05/1941, aged 6.
of 60 Bispham Street. Son of Francis and Emily Flynn. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

FRANCIS FLYNN
died 03/05/1941, aged 30.
of 60 Bispham Street. Husband of Emily Flynn. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

JOHN FLYNN
died 03/05/1941, aged 11 Months.
Aged 11 months; of 60 Bispham Street. Son of Francis and Emily Flynn. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

ANN FORRESTER
died 03/05/1941, aged 7.
of 78 Bispham Street. Daughter of John and Mary Forrester. Died at Addison Street Shelter.

JAMES FORRESTER
died 03/05/1941, aged 3.
of 78 Bispham Street. Son of John and Mary Forrester. Died at Addison Street Shelter.

JOHN FORRESTER
died 03/05/1941, aged 36.
of 78 Bispham Street. Son of Thomas Lockley Forrester, and Margaret Forrester, of 44 Bispham Street; husband of Mary Forrester. Died at Addison Street Shelter.

MARGARET FORRESTER
died 03/05/1941, aged 12.
of 78 Bispham Street. Daughter of John and Mary Forrester. Died at Addison Street Shelter.

MARY FORRESTER
died 03/05/1941, aged 36.
of 78 Bispham Street. Daughter of John and Mary King, of 25 Ben Jonson Street; wife of John Forrester. Died at Addison Street Shelter.

MARY FORRESTER
died 03/05/1941, aged 4.
of 78 Bispham Street. Daughter of John and Mary Forrester. Died at Addison Street Shelter.

SHEILA FORRESTER
died 03/05/1941, aged 2.
of 78 Bispham Street. Daughter of John and Mary Forrester. Died at Addison Street Shelter.

TERENCE FORRESTER
died 03/05/1941, aged 2 Months.
of 78 Bispham Street. Son of John and Mary Forrester. Died at Addison Street Shelter.

THOMAS FORRESTER
died 03/05/1941, aged 10.
of 78 Bispham Street. Son of John and Mary Forrester. Died at Addison Street Shelter.

ELLEN GLENN
died 03/05/1941, aged 20.
of 22 Bispham Street. Daughter of Peter Noon, of 341 East Lancashire Road, Knotty Ash, and of Rose Noon; wife of Richard Glenn (H.M. Forces). Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

ARABELLA HAMMILL
died 03/05/1941, aged 45.
of 16 Addison Street. Wife of Thomas Hammill. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

THOMAS HAMMILL
died 03/05/1941, aged 66.
of 16 Addison Street. Husband of Arabella Hammill. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

MARY HOLDEN
died 03/05/1941, aged 19.
of 95 Henry Edward Street. Daughter of J. and Mary Holden. Died at Holy Cross School.

MARY JANE IRELAND
died 03/05/1941, aged 45.
of 19 Bispham Street. Wife of Robert Ireland. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

MARY TERESA IRELAND
died 03/05/1941, aged 1o.
of 19 Bispham Street. Daughter of Robert and Mary Jane Ireland. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

PETER IRELAND
died 03/05/1941, aged 14.
of 19 Bispham Street. Son of Robert and Mary Jane Ireland. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

ROBERT IRELAND
died 03/05/1941, aged 8.
of 19 Bispham Street. Son of Robert and Mary Jane Ireland. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

ROBERT IRELAND
died 03/05/1941, aged 42.
of 19 Bispham Street. Husband of Mary Jane Ireland. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

ROSEMARY IRELAND
died 03/05/1941, aged 12.
of 19 Bispham Street. Daughter of Robert and Mary Jane Ireland. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.MARY ELIZABETH JEFFERS
died 03/05/1941, aged 18.
of 9 Bispham Street. Daughter of Elizabeth Jeffers, and of the late Francis Jeffers. Died at Holy Cross School.

SARAH ANN JOYCE
died 03/05/1941, aged 23.
of 50 Bispham Street. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. Joyce. Died at Holy Cross School.

PETER KINSELLA
died 03/05/1941, aged 66.
of 15 Bispham Street. Husband of the late Rose Ann Kinsella. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

ELIZABETH LOFTUS
died 03/05/1941, aged 30.
of 30 Bispham Street. Daughter of Jane and of the late Michael Loftus. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

ESTHER LOFTUS
died 03/05/1941, aged 28.
of 30 Bispham Street. Daughter of Jane, and of the late Michael Loftus. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

JANE LOFTUS
died 03/05/1941, aged 67.
of 30 Bispham Street. Widow of Michael Loftus. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

MARGARET McDONNELL
died 03/05/1941, aged 68.
of 77 Henry Edward Street. Widow of Matthew McDonnell. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

MICHAEL McKENNA
died 03/05/1941, aged 27.
Husband of Rose McKenna, of 16 Bispham Street. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

ANNIE McNAB
died 03/05/1941, aged 31.
of 14 Addison Street. Daughter of Peter Kinsella, and of the late Rose Ann Kinsella; wife of James McNab. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

JAMES McNAB
died 03/05/1941, aged 31.
of 14 Addison Street. Husband of Annie McNab. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

PETER McNAB
died 03/05/1941, aged 3.
of 14 Addison Street. Son of James and Annie McNab. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.AGNES NOON
died 03/05/1941, aged 17.
of 22 Bispham Street. Daughter of Peter John Noon, and of Rose Noon. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

MARY NOON
died 03/05/1941, aged 17.
of 22 Bispham Street. Daughter of Peter John Noon, and of Rose Noon. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter. Twin of Agnes listed above.

ROSE NOON
died 03/05/1941, aged 56.
of 22 Bispham Street. Wife of Peter John Noon. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

EDWARD O'BRIEN
died 03/05/1941, aged 15.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward O'Brien, of 113 Gildarts Gardens. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

MARY SHIER
died 03/05/1941, aged 28.
of 16 Addison Street. Wife of Walter Shier. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

WALTER SHIER
died 03/05/1941, aged 29.
of 16 Addison Street. Husband of Mary Shier. Died at Holy Cross School Shelter.

ANN SINGLETON
died 03/05/1941, aged 67.
of 63 Henry Edward Street. Widow of William Henry Singleton. Died at Holy Cross School.DAVID JAMES TURTON
died 03/05/1941, aged 19.
Son of Margaret Ann Cummings (formerly Turton), of 65 Rupert Lane, and of the late John Joseph Turton. Died at Holy Cross School.
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3 people who died in the area this night.GEORGE HERBERT CARTER
died 03/05/1941, aged 55.
at 52 Bispham Street.

JOHN COWIE
died 03/05/1941, aged 57.
of 36 Bispham Street. Husband of Julia Cowie. Died at 36 Bispham Street.

MARY DORNEY
died 03/05/1941, aged 17.
of 76 Bispham Street. Daughter of Mary E. Solon (formerly Dorney), and of the late Joseph Dorney. Died at 41 Addison Street.


                                ALSO FOR THE UNKNOWN, MAY THEY REST IN PEACE