St. Mary and St. Monica, Cottingley

Introduction

Saint Mary and Saint Monica, Cottingley, in Bingley, was opened in 1998. St Monica's, Wilsden was opened to serve the Catholics of that distant part of the parish.

History

In June 2006, the bishop proposed that, from August 2006, Sacred Heart parish and the neighbouring parish of St Mary and St Monica, Cottingley were to be merged. In 1938, Bishop Poskitt asked a priest to take charge of Bingley, and during his long stay of 15 years a new era in the history of Bingley parish began. The same priest acquired Cottingley Manor as a school and a Mass Centre. The first resident Catholic priest at Bingley after the Reformation came from the south of England in 1873 at the request of Bishop Cornthwaite.

In about 1869, a priest began a Mass centre in Bingley, first at the Fleece Hotel and later in a building he purchased in York Street which became the Liberal Club. On the occasion of the centenary of the parish in 1973, the Sacred Heart church was completely renovated and redecorated, the sanctuary being remodelled according to the new liturgy, including the installation of the main window behind the altar. The 125th anniversary of Sacred Heart parish was celebrated in May 2005. A plan to refurbish Sacred Heart church was produced in 2016, including access for people with disabilities.

The work at Sacred Heart included an extension to provide a meeting room and toilet facilities and the removal of the organ loft/choir gallery. In August 2021, the bishop moved the parish priest to another parish, and a new Parish Priest was appointed. In June 2025, the bishop announced that the Parish Priest was to retire on 31 August 2025, to be succeeded by another priest.

Parish life

During the tenure of the parish priest that ended in June 1896, the church was beautified and an organ with its gallery was installed. The parish was formed in 2006 by merging the adjoining parishes of St Mary and St Monica (which served Cottingley) and Sacred Heart (which served Bingley), and now has two churches.

A Conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul was formed at St Mary's and St Monica's on 16 January 1985, and a youth conference also operated there for a time. The parish provided the shelter at St Mary and St Monica's from Monday evening 24 February to Monday morning 3 March 2025.

Regular events

A Mass of Anointing takes place in September, and on the feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, 27th September, a special Mass is celebrated in memory of deceased members and beneficiaries. Every winter since December 2014, the parish has hosted the homeless for a week in the parish room in Cottingley.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish offers courses in preparation for Baptism, with details available from the parish priest. Weddings are by appointment and require a minimum of 6 months notice.