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Writer's pictureTitanictalksMillie

Titanic's Church Trail

The loss of life on the Titanic, still remains one of the highest death tolls in a sea disaster. After the sinking of the ill-fated Titanic. many bodies that were recovered from the wreckage were returned home. Towns and cities such as Southampton, Liverpool and Addergoole still commemorate the tragic deaths of their natives who were lost during the sinking of the Titanic. many churches in towns affiliated with Titanic have some form of commemoration for their deceased.


St Mary’s Church, Chapel ,Southampton

In 2018 a stained glass window was unveiled by the British Titanic Society in memorial of the crew from Southampton who perished in the sinking. there was a total of 908, 698 died and 212 survived. More than 700 of the crew were from Southampton. Louis Hemmings designed the window and if you look closely it contains 698 orbs, each representing a member of the crew who was lost.

Holyrood Church, central Southampton:

Holyrood Church, located at the peak of the QE2 mile was originally built in 1320 but was heavily bombed during the Southampton Blitz of 1940 which destroyed a proportion of the city. However, before the start of World War Two Holyrood had hosted a series of Titanic tributes such as the memorial fountain. Originally located in East Park in Southampton. The fountain was erected in memory of Southampton residents who were lost in the disaster. The fountain now resides on the right-hand side of the derelict church.


St Patrick’s Church, Lahardane, County Mayo, Western Ireland:

Laharadane, previously known as Addergoole was home to 14 of Titanic’s passengers. The Addergoole fourteen had all travelled as third class passengers on the Titanic. only three of the members returned home after the sinking. including seventeen-year-old Mary Kate McGowan. The Titanic bell ringing service has been a tradition in the Mayo Parish for years and takes place every April 15th at 2:30 am. In the Church a stained-glass window can be found depicting a young girl sat in a lifeboat watching the Titanic sink. Like the window in Southampton, orbs are dotted around the window representing the members of the group who did not return back to Addergoole.


Liverpool Cathedral:

Liverpool Cathedral contains a memorial to the Titanic’s Captain Edward John Smith. Smith had briefly lived in Liverpool, but before joining Titanic Smith resided in Southampton. in 1914 a window was unveiled in dedication of Smith’s life. Another Titanic Easter egg to look out for is located on the ceiling of the cathedral. A detailed engravement of ship can be seen on the ceiling.


Rossall School Church, Fleetwood, Lancashire:

This small seaside town, located a few miles outside of Blackpool contains a memorial to Father Byles who travelled on the Titanic to attend his brother’s wedding. Byles was an ordained pastor and had served in Leeds and Stoke on Trent. Byles’ actions of the night of April 14th, 1912 secured him the nickname of one of many of Titanic’s heroes. In a letter to the Evening World. Titanic survivor Miss Bertha Moran described Byles as “continuing prayers” throughout the evening and helping many women and children into the lifeboats. Byles’ body was never recovered from the wreck site. A few months later a requiem mass was held at Westminster Cathedral, Byles’ name was among the memorial list in the Cathedral and was attended by his family.


St Martin on the Hill Church, Scarborough:

This Church contains a plaque to Titanic’s sixth officer James Moody. Moody had replaced sixth officer David Blair, who was removed when Captain Smith took up position as Titanic’s skipper. Moody did not survive the sinking of Titanic. only three of Titanic’s officers survived: Charles Lightoller, Joseph Boxhall and Herbert Pitman. In the Church the plaque reads “o the Glory of God And in affectionate memory of James Paul Moody 6th Officer of R M S Titanic born at Scarborough .On the 21st August 1887 went down with the ship on the 15th April 1912 "Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life"


as always I’ll leave a few external links about Titanic’s church trails. Please feel free to add anything or add any questions

have a titanic evening, Millie

The Addergoole Titanic society: http://www.addergoole-titanic.com/

The Daily echo on the Titanic window: https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/16254002.moving-service-to-dedicate-the-titanic-memorial-window-in-st-marys-church/

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