St. Austin

Introduction

Sapper Thomas Quinn, a tenor singer in St Austin's Church Choir, was killed in action on 25 October 1916.

Music and liturgy

The choir has existed at St Austin's since the very first Mass. In 1846, the choir was asked to sing at the opening of the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Spinkhill. Artist Thomas Cromeck returned from Rome to live in Wakefield, and his eldest daughter Mary became principal soloist and eventually director of the choir. Miss Threadgold was lead soprano until 1910.

Miss Hannon was lead soprano until 1919. At the opening of St Peter and Paul's chapel at Portobello, the choir sang Turner's Mass of St Cecilia. The choir sang a new high mass by Cyril Vaughan. The choir performs recitals, undertakes tours, and has sung the Vigil Mass at St Peter's Basilica in Rome and performed a recital at Notre Dame in Paris.

Parish life

The parish is one of the oldest parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Leeds. Beneath and to the sides of St Austin's is a range of parish rooms and parish halls built in 1931.

The Catenians are a group of Catholic men who meet socially to share their beliefs and values. The local Catenian Circle, Calder & Dearne Valley, was formed by Wakefield West joining with Barnsley, and meetings are held in both Wakefield and Barnsley. The parish supports two primary schools and a Catholic college.