St Patrick

Introduction

Father Richard Hannon, second Rector from 1880, built Saint Patrick's Presbytery in 1885 and bought additional land in 1884.

History

The first Rector, the Rev. James Hanley, arrived in 1876 to serve at least 1,000 people, mostly Irish immigrants working in local coal mines. In 1879 Father Hanley erected a large zinc building that served as both church and school for over twenty years. Father Joseph Thorman, third Rector appointed in 1899, built the school for 307 children; the old zinc building was then used solely as a church until October 8th 1911. Saint Patrick's Church was officially opened on Sunday October 8th 1911, with Solemn High Mass sung by Monsignor Brown, President of Ushaw College.

In 1933 Father Parker paid off the remaining debt on the church, making it possible to have Saint Patrick's church consecrated. On Tuesday October 10th 1933 the church was consecrated by Dr. Thorman, former parish priest and now Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle.

Architecture and furnishings

The foundation stone was laid on Saturday October 1st 1910; the church was faced with stone, had nave and aisles with sanctuary and two side chapels, an arcade of five arches on octagonal columns with foliated capitals, and an open hammer beam roof. The church was built at a final cost of £4,000. In 2001, a choir was organised in response to expressed interest.

Parish life

Father John McCormack, parish priest from April 1936, organised a huge refurbishment of Saint Patrick's Club Hall in 1938 and had a new maplewood dance floor installed. A men's club was formed that promoted events like whist drives and dances. The Catholic Women's League formed a branch at Saint Patrick's, which flourished until the 1980s. The Legion of Mary and Catholic Young Men's Society were established at the parish.

During the war, parish productions were organised by a priest and a teacher in the school. A weekly newsletter was introduced in late 1976 and continued through a three-year term. Volunteers were asked to train as lay leaders, and six people were willing to do so.

Notable people and events

Father Parker died in April 1934 aged 65, six months after the consecration. Father Thomas Meagher, parish priest from May 1934, was ordained at Ushaw College in 1909 and taught French there from 1911–1921; he died on March 4th 1936 aged fifty.

Visiting

Visitors can enter the church for worship or a moment of prayer, with opening times available through the newsletter. The May Procession, in which a statue of Our Lady was carried around the grounds and the church, was a highlight of the year.