Our Lady & St Christopher

Introduction

Our Lady & St Christopher in Romiley, within the Diocese of Shrewsbury, was dedicated by Bishop Moriarty in 1932. The church was built in the Romanesque style and could accommodate 260 people.

History

The parish was separated from Saint Joseph’s, Stockport in 1912, when the Sisters of Charity D’ Evron arrived at Harrytown Hall to open a Mass centre and a school. The first Mass was said in the banqueting hall on May 13th 1912, and the first parish priest was Father Griffin. Father Calderbank succeeded Father Kirby in 1928, and with his support over £1,000 was raised towards the new church on Barrack Hill, estimated to cost £4,000.

On 2/3/1932, Mr Peter Roarke, then oldest Parishioner, cut the first sod of land given by the sisters of Evron for the new Church. On 23/4/1932, Bishop Moriaty laid the foundation stone for the new Church. On 20/11/1932, the official opening of the new Church was by Bishop Moriaty.

In August 1952, the new presbytery was completed, and by March 1954 the parish was out of debt. On 30/8/1952, the new Presbytery was opened.

In 1967, due to rapid growth in urban housing, the church was extended and refurbished at a cost of £13,000. In 1967, the church extension was completed and officially opened on 30th Dec.

Louis Gaskell was the first person to enter the new church, carrying the cross which led the procession. The first Baptism in the Church was on 12/12/1932 – Sheila Maria Reynolds. The first Marriage in the Church was on 6/8/1934 – Tommy Nolan to Helen Gilmore.

Architecture and furnishings

The pillars were constructed from Colombian pine, and various families gifted the Stations of The Cross, altar rails and the High Altar. In 1980, the sanctuary was reorganized with a new altar and centre aisle, and the pulpit and altar rails were removed. Originally there were just 2 aisles, a Lady Altar to the left and the pulpit to the right. The church has 2 internal oak doors that remain sturdy.

In 1977, the presbytery was extended. The weekend Masses in the parish are accompanied by an organist.

Parish life

The parish school, St Christopher’s, was opened in 1965 after years of fundraising. In 1966, the new parish centre was completed, replacing the old assembly rooms, and included a stage for dramatics and social functions.

The St Christopher Centre, opened in 2016, is available for hire. The parish holds an annual Christmas Fair, its biggest fundraising and social event, in the St Christopher Centre. The Ladies Guild is a long-standing parish group. The Friendship Group was part of the Worldwide Faith and Light Community until the end of 2020, when it became a parish group again. Tea and coffee are served after Mass every Sunday in the St Christopher Centre.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Families must attend a Baptism preparation course within the parish before a date can be arranged. Couples must attend a Marriage Course held at The St Christopher Centre before getting married.

Arrangements exist for Holy Communion to be taken to the sick and housebound, with either continuing or temporary needs. Holy Communion can be taken to the sick or housebound on any day of the week, arranged through the parish priest.

Notable people and events

Fr William Griffin was the founder of the parish, ordained at Our Lady’s, Birkenhead on 23rd August 1903. Fr Oswald Calderbank served the Parish when the Church was built in 1932.

Visiting

Masses and other services can be viewed through the Live Stream button on the parish website or via churchservices.tv/romiley, with weekend Masses recorded and available online for seven days. There is a box in the church porch for collecting used stamps for the RNIB.