A lost city-centre church has sparked the mystery of recently discovered human remains, believed to be 100 years old.
Yesterday, the Liverpool ECHO reported how work is being carried out at the former Hondo Chinese Supermarket, on Upper Duke Street, which closed back in 2017. Shortly after 10am on Wednesday, July 13, police were called to the site after reports that workers had made a discovery.
Forensic officers were seen at the site for over 24 hours and Merseyside Police have confirmed that human remains were found. In a statement, a spokesperson for the force at the time said: "We can confirm human remains, believed to be approximately 100 years old, have been found at a building site in Liverpool.
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"We received a report at around 10.20am on Wednesday 13 July that the discovery had been made at the premises on Upper Duke Street during archaeological work on the site. Forensic officers attended and confirmed they were historic skeletal remains. Officers remain on Upper Duke Street today (Wednesday 20 July) and are assisting the coroner’s office as enquiries continue."
In its last life, the site had been home to a now demolished Chinese supermarket. But it was also home to a church that was once one of Liverpool largest, which has sparked a mystery for ECHO readers.
St Mark's Church, in Upper Duke Street, was built in 1803 and existed for over a century until its closure and later demolition in 1923. Written in 1834, the From Picture of Liverpool: Stranger’s Guide said the church was opened for divine service on March 6, 1803, but was not consecrated until 1815.
It was raised by public subscription at the cost of around £18,000 and is also said to have allocated "300 free seats to the poor." The book reads: "It is a spacious brick building with a square tower at the west end, adorned at the top with vases.
"The interior is commodiously and neatly fitted up with pews, affording seats for 1714 persons and has a handsome organ. The east end is decorated with a large painted glass window, representing the ascension of our saviour and was executed at Mr Davenports manufactory at Longford in Staffordshire, at an expense of about £700."
In the Gore's directory, the church's outside measure was listed as 115ft by 63ft 6inches. Built under the direction of Rev. Thomas Jones, the building of St Mark's did not however get off to the most auspicious of starts, according to the Liverpool1207 blog.
Rev Jones is said to have first petitioned on August 6, 1800, "praying for the liberty for himself and friends to build a Church at the top of Upper Duke St if the Corporation and Rector should be pleased to give their countenance to the same." But for reasons unexplained, this was rejected Rev Jones and friends were unperturbed and are said to have went ahead regardless with building commencing in 1802.
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The large church constructed on the incline of the city-centre street had enough room for 2,400 parishioners. In his book, Liverpool Through Time, Daniel Longman said: "Its opening was marred by a gallery collapsing, which caused significant injuries. An attached steeple was also deemed dangerous early in the building's existence, rendering the church particularly unpopular in contemporaneous opinion."
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As the century continued, the number of those using the church steadily declined. By the early 20th century, the once "most fashionable church" was up for sale.
On September 13, 1909, the Liverpool Daily Post reported: "At one time it used to be the most fashionable church in Liverpool, and now I see only very few people entering it, remarked Mr M V D'Arcy, revisiting barrister for Bootle. On Saturday morning, when in going through the Liverpool ownership list at the Country Sessions House, he had his attention directed to St. Mark's church, Upper Duke Street, the site of which, it was stated, was for sale."
In 1923, after over a decade of closure, demolition works commenced. The site was later cleared for brick warehousing which was first occupied by pickle and sauce manufacturers H. J.. Heinz and by the 1930s, Lewis' department store took over for decades until the site became home to the Hondo Chinese supermarket.
When the hundred year old human remains were discovered on the site this week, a number of ECHO readers paid tribute and also speculated whether it had any connection to the lost St Mark's Church. Although the site was formerly home to the church and even located near the St James Cemetery, archaeological workers or the local authority have not confirmed this connection to be fact as enquiries still continue.
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On the ECHO website, Cairrean commented: "Wasn't that the site of St Mark's Church, could be burial remains missed when the church was demolished." On Facebook, Marg Brislen said: "Everyone deserves a proper burial. RIP."
Brenda Massey commented: "Poor soul hope they can trace the family." And Patsy Lawless posted: "It was the site of St Mark's church, Upper Duke Street, Liverpool, the church had a graveyard. It was founded in 1803. It closed in 1913."
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