The history of Hospital Street (From St Helens Star)

The history of Hospital Street

8:56am Thursday 13th September 2012 in News By Reader letter

I WRITE in reply to Pauline Sephton who wanted to know why Hospital Street is so named. I would like to impart a little of my knowledge on this subject.

In 1881, the Rev Father Cardwell, who was sick of the squalor, degradation and sheer wretchedness of many homes in his parish, sought to alleviate such misery.

He received help from the Mother Superior (Miss Taylor) of the ‘Poor Servants of the Mother of God’ Incarnate, who immediately despatched a body of sisters to “clean up” the most squalid quarters of the town.

The sisters were based at a house in George Street. The nuns found they would not cope with the role of ‘nurse’ without assistance; at this time the only hospital in St Helens was the Cottage Hospital in Sutton.

Part of the George Street premises were set aside for the sick and in 1884, a second cottage hospital was opened.

Then in 1884, Hardshaw Hall was taken on a long lease by the sisterhood and under the name of the Providence, free Hospital was opened by Cardinal Manning on September 15 1884.

Lilian Feeney, Thatto Heath