Christ the King, Burnley

Introduction

Christ the King in Burnley, in the Diocese of Salford, was built in 1936 adjacent to Spring Hill for about £3,000, designed by architect Richard Byrom of Bury with contractors Messrs Mullen & Durkin of Burnley. The church was opened by Bishop Henshaw on 29 November 1936. The building is a plain interwar church, intended as the church hall for a projected church that was never executed.

History

In 1895, a chapel of ease was established in St Thomas's School, which had been built in 1876-7. Herbert Bolger was sent to Burnley in 1935 tasked with establishing the new parish of Christ the King, and he built the present church. Maurice Porter moved in 1940 to Christ the King, Burnley. John Hartley was sent to the church of Christ the King, Burnley as Parish Priest in 1950, serving there for ten years.

Denis P. Bannon was appointed Parish Priest at Christ the King, Burnley in 1960, serving for the next 24 years. Spring Hill was used as the presbytery until its sale, with keys handed to contractors on 5th February 1990, when a new presbytery was built.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is built of Accrington brick laid in stretcher bond, with tile details, and a pitched roof of slate. The plan is rectangular, with a sacristy and a boiler house at the east, and the main entrance at the northwest. Inside, the church consists of a single unaisled space with a timber-panelled roof. The Gothic carved timber altar and reredos are original; as part of the post-Vatican reordering, the altar was moved forward and the reredos placed on a sympathetically-designed new support.

Above the sanctuary hangs a modern Christ the King crucifix. Near the southwest corner is a large statue of Christ the King, given in memory of Albert Whittaker (died 1942), placed in front of timber Gothic panelling. At the southeast corner are an octagonal timber font and a statue of Our Lady (in memory of Christopher Flaherty, who died in India in 1942). The south elevation has six metal-framed windows between brick wall strips. The west and east elevations have slightly projecting centre bays, and there is a Venetian window to the west.

Parish life

An informal monthly gathering takes place in the presbytery at Christ the King to provide constructive support for the church and its wider community. The SVP Conference, based at St John's since 1905, changed its name to The Good Samaritan SVP Conference following the naming of the Good Samaritan Parish.

The KSC Club moved to the building at the corner of Yorkshire Street and Albert Street in May 1962. The KSC Club has raised many thousands of pounds for local, regional and national charities. KSC Council 110 organised their Annual Christmas Cracker event at Burnley Cricket Club with proceeds to Pendleside Hospice and Holly Grove School. Burnley Catenians won the Province 10 Provincial Bowls competition.

Burnley Catenians held a Mass for Deceased Brothers at Blessed Trinity, followed by a monthly meeting and meal at Nelson House. Burnley Catenians celebrated President's Sunday on the Feast of St Peter and St Paul, joining five first Holy Communicants and their families for a concelebrated Mass at St Mary's. Burnley Catenians held their annual Pie Night at Rolls Royce, Barnoldswick, joined by friends and Broughton in Craven Circle. The Catenian Association Poster for August 2025 focuses on the Association's support for Young People.

Burnley Catenians held their annual curry evening at the Usha Restaurant with 32 diners including Brothers, Ladies, Parishioners and two priests. Burnley Catenians and friends spent an evening at St Cuthbert's for their production of Carousel.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish arranges Holy Communion at home for those who cannot get to Mass, by arrangement with the parish priest. The Legion of Mary's weekly task consists mainly of visits to the sick, housebound or elderly, carried out in pairs.

Visiting

The recorded streamed Mass is available to view later on Sunday morning or early afternoon. A miscellany of photos of Christ the King and St Teresa's, past and present, is available online.

The KSC Christmas Draw raised £565. Burnley Catenians, wives and parishioners enjoy a festive meal with carols after the December meeting at Nelson House. Volunteers are sought to help with live streaming Mass every other Sunday.