Philip Kirkland

The Jewel on the Hill Philip Kirkland

The beautiful parish church of St. Peter in the Liverpool suburb of Woolton is known worldwide thanks to a single event that took place there on 6th July 1957, and was the spark that led to the musical and cultural phenomenon of The Beatles. The history of the church itself begins in the pre-Victorian era and is at the same time a history of the development of a small village which became a suburb of Liverpool. In this book, Beatles and Liverpool historian, Philip Kirkland, charts this history in minute detail, focusing on the rectors of the church and the other villagers that made a name for themselves in Woolton, Liverpool, and beyond. In the later chapters, the narrative moves to one of Woolton's most famous residents, John Lennon, his early life and connections with St. Peter's, and the formation of The Quarrymen, the group that would eventually bring the church to global attention. This book will appeal equally to residents of Woolton, Beatles' fans wishing to complete their education about the band, as well as anyone interested in the history of one of England's most talked-about cities.