William Mackenzie’s Pyramid Tomb, Rodney Street, Liverpool

If you’ve ever passed the former Church of St Andrew (now student accommodation) in Rodney Street, Liverpool, you may have seen the unusual pyramid-shaped memorial in the grounds. It’s commonly thought that monuments of this shape were chosen by people to prevent the devil from lounging on the deceased’s grave. But according to legend, William Mackenzie took this precaution one step further by being interred above ground inside the pyramid in a seated position, with a winning deck of cards in his hand. A keen gambler who allegedly sold his soul to the devil, this civil engineer was apparently keen to avoid having to repay his debt…

William Mackenzie was born in Nelson, Lancashire in 1794 and began his working life as an apprentice weaver, but soon turned his attention to civil engineering. He became one of the leading civil engineering contractors of his era, working on projects such as railway tunnels between Edge Hill and Liverpool and further afield, railway projects in France, Spain, Belgium and Italy. He died at 74 Grove Street, Liverpool in 1851.

William Mackenzie - Pyramid Memorial, Rodney Street, Liverpool

William Mackenzie – Pyramid Memorial, Rodney Street, Liverpool

William’s striking and unusual 15 foot pyramid tomb was erected in his memory in 1868 by his youngest brother Edward, who inherited much of William’s £340,000 estate. It was Grade II listed by English Heritage in 1985. The plaque on the pyramid’s door reads:

“In the vault beneath lie the remains of William Mackenzie of Newbie, Dumfriesshire, Esquire who died 29th October 1851 aged 57 years. Also, Mary his wife, who died 19th December 1838 aged 48 years and Sarah, his second wife who died 9th December 1867 aged 60 years. This monument was erected by his Brother Edward as a token of love and affection A.D. 1868. The memory of the just is blessed”.

 

Given the 17-year gap between William’s death and the monument’s erection, it seems unlikely that he is still sat at his card table within, but then, the legend has never been disproved either…

Louise McTigue is a freelance writer and researcher, writing on behalf of Sarsfield Memorials.