local history
by Stephen Guy
A Remarkable Room He was one of many prosperous Victorian merchants who settled in substantial villas around Sefton Park. Richard Lockett moved into a newly-built house called Enmore, Alexandra Drive, in 1878. He made a fortune in the South American nitrate trade. Richard increasingly felt that his residence needed more to reflect his family roots going back to the 17th century. In 1895, he built a remarkable, ornate dining room in an extension. Featuring wood panelling, an oriel window and stunning decorative plasterwork ceiling, it resembled part of an Elizabethan manor house. This artist’s impression (with a view of the building’s exterior today) shows the room as it was when first built. Coats of arms and elaborate carvings around the fireplace and portrait indicate Richard’s family pride. These features were removed at some later date and replaced by plain fixtures. Enmore became Josephine Butler House in 1947. The pioneering college honoured the leading Victorian social reformer.
However, its work was gradually overtaken by the development of social studies at universities and colleges. When it closed in 1974, Josephine Butler House was the only institution of its kind in England. Archdeacon Eric Corbett, chairman of the college’s executive committee, said at the time of closure: “The college has sent trained people all over the world … our emphasis will now be on the theological side.” The building was sold and the proceeds used to provide religious training for social workers wishing to work within the church. The unlisted building became a nursing home for many years before closing in 2016.
It built on the work of Liverpool-based Josephine (1828 - 1906) who promoted women’s education, opposed trafficking and worked tirelessly for the welfare and rehabilitation of prostitutes.
Now part of the Lark Lane Conservation Area, there are controversial plans to demolish the building and replace it with 72 flats in two new buildings.
Josephine Butler House, previously at Princes Avenue and Abercromby Square, was run by the Church of England. Originally founded in 1920, the college trained church social workers helping with the problems of unmarried mothers, prostitution, adoption and family casework.
It is not known whether there are plans to incorporate the 1895 room into the new structure, destroy it or sell the contents as architectural salvage - the fate of many fine old buildings in the past. Learn more about the history of Liverpool at the Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head, admission free.
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