St John's Gardens

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"Justice", from
the Gladstone Memorial

St John's Gardens is a memorial park in Liverpool, England, located behind St George's Hall. It takes its name from St John's Church which stood on the site from 1783 until 1887. The terraced gardens, laid out by Thomas Shelmerdine, the City Surveyor, opened in 1904. It is part of the William Brown Street conservation area.

[edit] Monuments

The garden has been characterized as "Liverpool's al fresco Valhalla". Unlike most sculpture gardens designed for public enjoyment, this one actually was designed as a setting to display public art^[1]. The monuments display the work of eminent sculptors of the late-Victorian/Edwardian era. They commemorate the Liverpool reformers who addressed some of the most pressing social problems of the nineteenth century. The most notable of these, perhaps, was William Gladstone, while others commemorate people known for their personal philanthropic works and social improvement projects.

The Balfour Monument, designed by Albert Bruce Joy, was originally erected in 1889, before it was decided to replan St. John's churchyard for the exhibition of public sculpture. Alexander Balfour (1824-86) was a merchant shipowner, who established a lucrative trade between Liverpool, Valparaiso, and San Francisco. He was a philanthropist of Scottish origin who became a benefactor of seamen's causes, such as the Seaman's Orphanage, the Seamen's Institute, and the Sailor's Home. A Presbyterian, he championed temperance and neglected children.

The Regimental Monument or "Memorial to the King's Liverpool Regiment" commemorates the South African War; it is of white stone with a central bronze wreath, helmet flag and sword and a standing soldier at each side. The central pedestal contains a figure of Britannia. The monument was designed by Sir William Goscombe John and erected in 1905.

The Gladstone Memorial, erected in 1904, was designed by Sir Thomas Brock. William Ewart Gladstone, the Liberal statesman and Prime Minister, was born in Rodney St in 1809 and died in 1898. The tall pedestal between seated female figures of "Truth" and "Justice" carries a relief entitled "Brotherhood". Gladstone stands holding a roll of parchment and books.

The Nugent Monument, erected in 1906, was designed by Frederick William Pomeroy^[2]. Monsignor James Nugent (1822-1905) worked on behalf of neglected children, founding schools and orphanages. The monument is composed of a standing bronze figure in a blessing attitude with a ragged boy. This may be the only public monument to a Roman Catholic clergyman in England^[3].

Drummer from Regimental Monument

The Lester Monument was designed by George Frampton and erected in 1907. The monument commemorates Canon Thomas Major Lester^[4], founder of Kirkdale Industrial School for children of the working classes and of Stanley Hospital, Kirkdale.

The Forwood Monument was erected in 1903 and designed by George Frampton. It commemorates Arthur Bower Forwood, merchant and shipowner, Liverpool's mayor, Conservative MP, and Privy Councillor.

The Rathbone Monument was designed by George Frampton and erected in 1889. William Rathbone VI was a member of the distinguished Liverpool family of social reformers, the Rathbones. He was founder of the District Nursing movement and the universities of Liverpool and Wales^[5].