St Laurence Church, Frodsham, Pickering genealogy

There are traces of Stone Age and Iron Age settlements on the hills of the area (Helsby (464 feet) and Frodsham hills are clear landmarks) but the first known settlers in what is now Frodsham were Anglo-Saxons of the kingdom of Mercia. This is one possible origin of the name: the Ham (a small village) established by Frod (or Froda), the leader of this group of Saxons. The other possible origin is the Ham on the Ford (over the local river, the Weaver).

Helsby was first settled by the Vikings who, in the tenth century AD, settled in the Wirral as far as Helsby or Hjallr-by (the village on the edge).

1600 to 1799
1654 Frodsham Castle destroyed by fire
1750 Daniel Ashley buys the Castle ruins and builds Park Place on the site

1800 to 1849
1801 Frodsham Population about 1,250
1823 Trinity Wesleyan Chapel opens on Chapel Lane (see 1873)
1837 The Rock Wesleyan Chapel opens (closed 1937, now the Town Library)

1850 to 1899
1814 Methodist Victoria Hall opened on Fluin Lane
1850 The railway arrives in Frodsham
1850 Construction of the sandstone bridge over the River Weaver, replacing the nearby brick bridge damaged during the Civil War
1851 Frodsham Population about 2,179
1880 Restoration of St Laurence Parish Church started.
1882 Restoration of St Laurence Parish Church completed, first service 30 November
1894 Frodsham becomes part of Runcorn Rural District
1894 Manchester Ship Canal opened
1899 Parish Hall built

Please e-mail with your comments, changes and additions
Webmaster: Connie Pickering Stover / cstover@fastq.com


		*St Laurence Church* Frodsham Parish, Cheshire
St. Laurence Church has played an intimate part in the lives of our ancestors. The records there hold many births, baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials. Quite a number of our ancestors are buried there and through recent research I even have a description of their graves. The oldest known ancestor buried there is Thomas Pickering who died 1814. His entire family is buried in a grave described ad "Sandstone table-top". The inscription reads: "Sacred to the memory of Thomas Pickering late of Frodsham Bridge who departed this life Jan 2nd 1814 aged 49 years. Also Margaret daughter of the said Thomas and Margaret Pickering who died April 24th 1813 aged 14 years. Also Edmund their son died 11th March 1814 aged 11 months. Also Thomas their son who died Jan 25th 1818 aged 15 years. Also of Margaret wife of the above named Thomas Pickering who died July 9th 1820 aged 48 years. Also of Ann daughter of Thomas and Margaret Pickering who died 24th Dec. 1822 aged 26 years."			This is a photo taken about 1900 of the inside of the church. This stained glass window is dedicated to John Rigby Pickering (1799-1880). The photo was sent to me by Alfhard Kowallek, Berlin, Germany.

	There are traces of Stone Age and Iron Age settlements on the hills of the area (Helsby (464 feet) and Frodsham hills are clear landmarks) but the first known settlers in what is now Frodsham were Anglo-Saxons of the kingdom of Mercia. This is one possible origin of the name: the Ham (a small village) established by Frod (or Froda), the leader of this group of Saxons. The other possible origin is the Ham on the Ford (over the local river, the Weaver). Helsby was first settled by the Vikings who, in the tenth century AD, settled in the Wirral as far as Helsby or Hjallr-by (the village on the edge). 1600 to 1799 1654 Frodsham Castle destroyed by fire 1750 Daniel Ashley buys the Castle ruins and builds Park Place on the site 1800 to 1849 1801 Frodsham Population about 1,250 1823 Trinity Wesleyan Chapel opens on Chapel Lane (see 1873) 1837 The Rock Wesleyan Chapel opens (closed 1937, now the Town Library) 1850 to 1899 1814 Methodist Victoria Hall opened on Fluin Lane 1850 The railway arrives in Frodsham 1850 Construction of the sandstone bridge over the River Weaver, replacing the nearby brick bridge damaged during the Civil War 1851 Frodsham Population about 2,179 1880 Restoration of St Laurence Parish Church started. 1882 Restoration of St Laurence Parish Church completed, first service 30 November 1894 Frodsham becomes part of Runcorn Rural District 1894 Manchester Ship Canal opened 1899 Parish Hall built Please e-mail with your comments, changes and additions Webmaster: Connie Pickering Stover / cstover@fastq.com