Lower Bethesda Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

Streets of Stoke-on-Trent | Lower Bethesda Street |

 

 

| Index of all Hanley Streets |

| Street Map of this area |

Lower Bethesda Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

Bethesda Street runs from the junction of Albion Street and Broad Street northwards to Regent Road southwards. When it was cut across by the "Potteries Way" ring round the southern half became Lower Bethesda Street. Here, at the junction of Regent Road once stood the cattle market.

On the junction of Lower Bethesda Street and the Potteries Way ring road is the main city fire station.

How Bethesda Street got its name:
At the junction of Bethesda Street and Albion Street stands the Bethesda Methodist Church. 
"Bethesda" was a spring-fed pool, in Jerusalem where invalids waited their turn to step into the mysteriously troubled waters that were supposed to possess healing virtue - it is mentioned in the Bible in John's Gospel. Many churches in the area have "Bethesda" attached to their name. 

"Bethesda" in Hebrew means 'house of grace'

Although this street sign says Bethesda Street, it is actually Lower Bethesda Street.
photo 1999
Although this street sign on the house says Bethesda Street, it is actually Lower Bethesda Street - as on the other sign between the windows at pavement level. On the 1898 OS map - opposite this block of houses at the junction of Regent Road & Bethesda Street was a Cattle Market.

The Smithfield on the Junction of Lower Bethesda Street and Jasper Street.
photo June 2000
The Smithfield on the Junction of Lower Bethesda Street and Jasper Street - in Jasper Street stand the impressive Roman Catholic Church of The Sacred Heart.

Smithfield was originally, an open area outside the North West walls of the City of London, a market for cattle and horses, which later became the central meat-market - no doubt this is where The Smithfield public house gets it's name from.


photo 1999
The city fire station on the junction of Lower Bethesda Street and the Potteries Way ring road. The tall building behind is 'Unity House' the old civic centre for the city - it was replaced by a new building in Glebe Street, Stoke.

 

 

 

  


Listed Buildings

Did you live in this street or area? 
questions/comments/contributions? email: Steve Birks