The Bishop of Liverpool originally resided in the Bishop’s Palace which still stands at 19 Abercromby Square. Bishops residing there included J.C. Ryle, the first Bishop of Liverpool, and Francis Chavasse whose son Noel Chavasse was the only man to win the Victoria Cross for gallantry twice during the 1st World War. Bishop's Lodge was built in 1869-71 by the architect Henry A Bradley and was initially called Baycliff, a name which remains on the gate posts at the main entrance. It was built as 'Baycliff' for Samuel Blain, a Liverpool corn trader, and is an interesting High Victorian 'French Gothic' house with a notable garden façade which would have had a fantastic view over this surrounding countryside. The view across the village from St Mary’s (R.C.) churchyard could be of a Pennine mill town; ten minutes away, on the narrow sandstone ridge between the two great quarries from which Liverpool Cathedral was born. You can also look out across two estuaries to Wales and from the garden of Bishop's Lodge there is a vista across South Lancashire, to where the coal mines once crowded and the first railway ran and Victorian England became the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ of the world.
During the 2nd World War, Baycliff was requisitioned by the Government and used as a service hospital. The base and fixings for a flagpole are still visible amongst the holly bushes, between the main garden and the neighbouring property, perhaps serving as a reminder of those times. It was bought by the Church Commissioners in 1948. Previous inhabitants of Baycliff included Laura Thornley; granddaughter of famous Liverpool philanthropist William Roscoe as well as the iron merchant George Rathbone.
In May 2017 Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool told The Guardian, "The garden here in Woolton is huge but we have plenty of
help looking after it. It is essentially divided into two: a semi-formal
section with roses, lavenders and herbs, and a field. Grace Sheppard,
the wife of my predecessor David Sheppard, conceived most of the
planting we enjoy today; we don’t want to make radical changes, but my
wife, Kate, is working with my environmental adviser to make
adjustments. This garden is about hospitality. It is a treasure to be shared.
Thursdays are open days when local people can wander about and help
themselves to a cup of tea. In the summer we have garden parties of more
than 500 people, with schoolchildren singing, badminton, croquet and
bouncy castles." Paul Bayes retired on the 1st of March 1922.
see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2023/02/historic-liverpool-dwellings-rosemount.html
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