A historic vault containing the remains of a three-time British Prime Minister has been rediscovered beneath St Mary's Church in Knowsley Village. The Derby family crypt, which had been sealed and forgotten for generations, was found by contractors during routine renovation work.
The final resting place of Edward Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, the 14th Earl of Derby, and other notable figures was uncovered by Liverpool-based Frank Rogers Building Contractors. The discovery has revealed a significant piece of local and national history, unknown even to the current parish staff.
Key Takeaways
- A sealed crypt belonging to the Derby family was accidentally discovered at St Mary's Church in Knowsley Village.
- The vault contains the remains of Edward Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, who served as UK Prime Minister three times.
- It was found by contractors during floor renewal and accessibility improvements.
- Other notable figures, including a Foreign Secretary and the family linked to the Stanley Cup, are also interred there.
- The crypt has now been sensitively restored as part of a heritage project.
An Unexpected Discovery During Renovations
Workers from Frank Rogers Building Contractors made the remarkable find while carrying out instructed works inside the historic church. Their project was focused on renewing the nave floor and improving accessibility for parishioners.
During the process, they located a sealed access hatch that was not on any recent church plans. Upon careful investigation, the hatch was opened to reveal a staircase leading down into a large, undisturbed vault. The space was completely unknown to the current staff at St Mary's Church and had not been accessed for many decades.
The discovery immediately prompted a halt in the renovation work to allow for historical assessment. It was soon confirmed that the contractors had stumbled upon the long-lost crypt of the Stanley family, the Earls of Derby, who have deep historical ties to the Knowsley area.
The Stanley Family and Knowsley
The Stanley family, Earls of Derby, have been prominent landowners in Lancashire and Cheshire for centuries. Their ancestral home is Knowsley Hall, located near the church. St Mary's Church has long served as a place of worship and burial for the family, making the discovery of the main family crypt a significant historical event.
Inside the Historic Vault
The rediscovered crypt features impressive architecture, including vaulted brick ceilings and stone flooring. A staircase provides entry into the chamber where the coffins of several members of the Stanley family are laid to rest.
Photographs from the site show the well-preserved structure, which has remained protected from the elements for generations. The restoration project has since worked to clean and preserve the interior, ensuring its stability for the future while respecting its purpose as a burial site.
The careful work undertaken by the contractors has allowed this hidden piece of history to be documented and secured, offering a glimpse into the burial customs of one of Britain's most influential aristocratic families.
A Resting Place for National Figures
The crypt is the final resting place for several individuals who played significant roles in British history. The most prominent among them is Edward Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, the 14th Earl of Derby (1799–1869).
Lord Derby served as Prime Minister on three separate occasions in the mid-19th century and remains the longest-serving leader of the Conservative Party. His presence makes the crypt a site of national political importance.
Other Notable Individuals in the Crypt
Alongside the 14th Earl, several other key family members are interred within the vault. Their presence highlights the family's influence across politics, foreign affairs, and public service.
- Emma Caroline Stanley (1805–1876): The Countess Dowager of Derby and wife of the 14th Earl.
- Edward Henry Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby (1826–1893): Son of the Prime Minister, he served as Foreign Secretary and was Britain’s first Secretary of State for India.
- Mary Catherine Stanley (1824–1900): Wife of the 15th Earl of Derby.
- Constance Stanley (1840–1922): Wife of the 16th Earl and daughter of the 4th Earl of Clarendon.
- Sir Arthur Stanley (1869–1947): The third son of the 16th Earl, he was a senior public figure and a leader in the British Red Cross.
The Stanley Cup Connection
The Stanley family is also famous for a contribution to the world of sport. Frederick Arthur Stanley, the 16th Earl of Derby, served as Governor General of Canada from 1888 to 1893. In 1892, he donated a decorative bowl to be awarded to Canada's top-ranking amateur ice hockey club. That trophy is now known as the Stanley Cup, the oldest professional sports trophy in North America and the championship prize for the National Hockey League (NHL).
Sensitive Restoration and Future Preservation
Following the discovery, the crypt became the focus of a careful heritage project. The goal was not to open it to the public, but to document, clean, and secure the site to prevent future decay.
Frank Rogers Building Contractors, who made the initial discovery, were involved in the sensitive restoration. The work ensured that the structural integrity of the vault was maintained while treating the space with the reverence it deserves as a burial chamber.
The project at St Mary's Church has successfully preserved a forgotten chapter of Knowsley's history. The nave floor has now been completed, sealing the crypt once more, but with its existence and historical importance now properly recorded for future generations.