The bells

St. Anne's tower has two bells hanging in it. Bells have been rung from towers and steeples for centuries to call worshippers to services. Our large bell is struck by an electrically driven clapper. The smaller bell, affectionately known as the 'hurry-up' bell is rung for 5 minutes before the service to encourage any worshippers who are still on their way to get a jog on!

The large bell has the inscription;
 
Presented to St. Anne's Church, Stanley
by Edward & Elizabeth Hurst
in memory of their beloved children
Ralph, John & Annie
January 1879.

Elizabeth was born in Shropshire in 1812 and Edward in Durham, Newcastle in 1815. How they came to meet and make a life together in Liverpool is unknown. Edward's occupation was a rope maker in Jacksons Ropery on Edge Lane. This type of occupation was common in the area with the thriving docks. Both Edward and Elizabeth lived in a cottage at the works.
 
Records indicate that John died in 1856 aged only 18. A few years later, Anne died in 1864 aged 24. It's possible they died from cholera as there were several outbreaks which killed thousands of people, as living and sanitation conditions were very poor. Ralph was the eldest of the children and he was a Mariner. Sadly by 1874, aged 37 years old, Ralph, the last of Edward and Elizabeth's children had died.
 
Both Edward and Elizabeth were still living in a cottage in Jacksons Ropery on Edge Lane up to the age of 66 according to the census of 1881. A testament to how hardworking and dedicated Edward was at his job. To have lived and worked in the same location for over 30 years, leads us to believe that Edward rose to a prominent position in his occupation.
 
The family must have had strong personal connections to this parish church, and have been popular members of the congregation for the vicar to allow them to commission and install a bell in their children's memory. The Hurst bell was re-installed into the new church and their name lives on as the bell rings to welcome everyone to church.
 
The 'hurry-up' bell has an inscription on it too which reads;

The Rose
1789