I've always been curious about what was in a certain place before the present building was built there. For example, the Liverpool Curling Club. It's been there since the 1930s and for most of us, that's longer than we've been alive. What was there before the curling club was constructed?
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| Liverpool Congregational Church |
Located on that property, basically where the parking area is, was the Liverpool Congregational Church. It was a large church and from photos that I have, in my opinion, probably the nicest looking church in town. The minister's home was directly across the street and in the late 1980s or early 1990s it was demolished to make the present parking area behind the Astor Theater. The Congregational Church was operational until the later 1920s when at that time, the Congregationalists and the Methodists united to form the United Church of Canada. The Methodist Church in Liverpool was on Main Street (now Zion United) and since the 2 congregations united to form 1, only 1 church was needed so the Methodist Church was the chosen building. Rev. George Ball was the last minister of the Congregational Church. He had suffered the loss of his only son who died from appendicitis when he was about 16 and then lost his church due to the union with the Methodists. The stress took it's toll of Rev Ball and it was said that he committed suicide in the Minister's residence across the street. The Congregational Church stopped being used as a church and I believe was used as a hall for a time and I believe someone said used as a place where auto repairs were done. (I forget who told me that, maybe someone can confirm it). When the Curling Club was built, the church was demolished. I've always thought the 2 cement steps that you can walk on from the sidewalk to the curling club parking lot were probably the steps that took you to the front door of the church. The cemetery for the Congregational Church is located on College Street on the right hand side, now known as the United East Cemetery. Rev. George Ball, his son and the rest of the Ball family are all buried in this cemetery.
Who would've thought that Liverpool would ever have a large Best Western Hotel? I'm in the group of people who never would've believed it. A few years back, the Sapp house, the former Astoria Beverages building and the Liverpool Dairy treat were all demolished and all the land behind those buildings, was cleared to make way for the new hotel, the new Rec center and hopefully more. The hotel is in a great location making it visible on the 103 Highway and with the land being cleared, Liverpool can be seen from the 103 as well. Passers by, who are tired and need a place to stay for the night can quickly drive off the highway and get to the Best Western in minutes. I have to admit, I've never been inside the Best Western but the outside of the building looks very attractive and I've heard inside is even better. The staff is both very helpful and knowledgeable, the rooms both comfortable and beautiful. The lounge is apparently really nice, too. Weddings have been held here, Christmas parties as well as many other functions. Now that Queens Place is open, I'm sure business at the Best Western will increase even more. That area is changing and in a good way. None of us could've predicted that Best Western would ever choose Liverpool as a site for a hotel and now we can wait for even more businesses to be constructed on the property.
