A PADGATE church will unveil a memorial in its church yard to represent all the Christian babies who were buried in the church in unmarked graves up to the late 1970s.

Christ Church Padgate is set to hold a blessing and reveal a plaque memorial in memory of the children who were placed in unmarked graves within the cemetery – a regular practice during that era.

Member of the church, Barry Crabtree, said there were ‘a number of unmarked graves’ within the church grounds.

“Still born and infants less than 20 days old were put in a grave without a name on it,” he explained. “This was common practice up to the late 1970s.

“In recognition of this, The Friends Of Christ Church Graveyard have been able to locate a stone where some of these babies were buried.

“We have purchased and had engraved a slate which will be fixed to the stone in memory of those babies, and there will be a blessing at the location by Christ Church Vicar Rev. Neil Shaw.”

Barry said the church are inviting anyone who may have been affected by this or have relations that were buried as infants within the grounds. He urges anyone of this nature to contact him if they wish to be present for the ceremony.

He also revealed how since the church announced the plans for a memorial on the church’s Facebook page, they have been contacted by various people from both Warrington and across the world, with stories about their own children who were buried within the grounds under unmarked graves during that period.

Speaking on how the church hopes to help people who were affected by this practice, Barry added: “It could make someone feel more connected and give closure to some grieving parents.”

A plaque attached to the designated memorial stone will state ‘In loving memory of the babies and infants who are buried in this churchyard. Held in God’s love.’

The date of the blessing is not yet confirmed but will be within the coming weeks. To find out more details or enquire to attend this, contact Barry at barrie.crabtree@gmail.com