.WOOLSTON is a tithing and ecclesiastical parish, formed in 1864 from the civil parishes of Hound and St. Mary Extra, situated on the east bank of the Itchen, and has a station on the railway, in the Southern division of the county, hundred of Mansbridge, union of South Stoneham, county court district, and rural deanery of Southampton, and archdeaconry and diocese of Winchester. 

The construction of the Itchen Bridge which
replaced the old "floating bridge" seen in the
foreground (a chain link ferry) that linked Woolston
with Southampton

St. Mark's church is in the Early Decorated style, and constructed of Swanage stone, the interior lined with ornamental brickwork: it has a chancel, south chancel aisle, nave, and north aisle, and 1 bell: it was erected in 1863, consecrated November, 1863, and enlarged 1866, entire cost, £3,500; accommodation for about 500. The register dates from the year 1863. 

The living is a vicarage, tithe £150, in the gift of the Bishop of Winchester, and held by the Rev. John Silvester Davies, M.A., F.S.A., of Pembroke College, Oxford. 

A National school was erected in 1872, for boys and girls, with master's residence: it was opened in August of the same year: total cost, £930, defrayed by grants and voluntary subscriptions. 

There is a Wesleyan chapel, erected in 1866. Thomas Chamberlayne, esq., is lord of the manor and the principal landowner.

The population in 1871 was 1,481.

(The above was aken from Kellys Directory 1875)
 

A WOOLSTON RESIDENTS PHOTOGRAPHS
Housing in Victoria Road
The "Floating Bridge" looking towards Woolston		Victoria Road opposite Vosper Thornycrofts
Pictures submitted by Joyce Iler,Ontario,Canada

Woolston today is a thriving suburb of the city which has recently lost the Thorneycroft shipyard to Portsmouth. This was the main employer in the area and many of the Royal Navy's, and other nations small ships were built here including mine sweepers and destroyers. Before the huge Itchen Bridge was built the only way to get back and forth across the Itchen was via Northam Bridge or by the 'Floating Bridge' which were two chain linked ferries. To the left of the bridge on the Woolston side coming from Southampton was the Supermarine factory where the famous Spitfire was built.

IMAGES OF WOOLSTON

Old Schoolhouse Peartree Green		Peartree Parish Church
More views of Peartree Parish Church
The Southampton Football Stadium from Peartree Green		The Itchen Bridge from Peartree Green
The Rosoman memorial in Peartree Churchyard		FREDERICK ADOLPHUS ROSOMAN DIED 25TH AUGUST 1916 AGED 78 CREMATED AT WOKING AND OF HIS WIFE ANN MAIRA ROSOMAN WHO DIED OCTOBER 24TH 1923 AGED 77 YEARS ALSO CREMATED AT WOKING
The Itchen Bridge taken from the old Floating Bridge slipway at Woolston		The chain for the old Floating Bridge which was pulled to and fro across the Itchen by chain.
The River Itchen showing the new Itchen Bridge		The Victoria public house
Victoria Road Woolston		Entrance to Vosper Thornycrofts shipyard
Views across the River Itchen with the new Queen Mary II on the day of her inaugral transatlantic sailing. January 11th 2004
The Old Cinema at Woolston