The Holy Infant and St Anthony Parish, Astley Bridge

Introduction

The Mission of the Holy Infant and St Anthony in Astley Bridge was solemnly opened by Bishop Herbert Vaughan on Sunday, 22nd July, 1877. The foundation stone of the new church was laid by Rt Rev Dr Bilsborrow on 10th August, 1901, and the church was opened on Sunday, 27th July 1902, the 25th anniversary of the founding of the parish. The church was built in 1902 of red brick with stone dressings and a slate roof, designed by architect Mr Bromley, with contractors Jones & Sons.

History

The first resident priest was Fr Maximilian Jüttner from Germany, who served the Mission from 1879 to 1884. Fr Pius Charles de Witte, a Dutchman, served the Mission from 1884 to 1888 and built the present presbytery in 1885. Fr Joseph O’Shaughnessy came as parish priest in February 1927 and served until his death on 1st October, 1940. Canon Norbert Barre became parish priest in 1940 and continued work to beautify the inside of the church. The War Memorial pieta, now near the church entrance, dates from 1925.

Architecture and furnishings

The church has a five-bay nave and a narrow sanctuary flanked by sacristies projecting out to each side with pairs of gables. The roof is supported on hammerbeams and arched brace trusses, with purlins and rafters, all exposed and boarded above. Greenhalgh & Williams designed a flat-roofed porch and baptistery added in 1969. During alterations, the old chapel's glass lantern was removed and windows were made in the side walls. A choir loft at the west end features a timber gallery front.

Parish life

The parish serves the community of Astley Bridge and the surrounding area north of Bolton. The parish has been entrusted to the care of the Salesians of Don Bosco, who have been involved in education at Thornleigh Salesian College since 1925.

The parish organises visits to the housebound. The parish supports a foodbank. The parish runs the HISA Lottery. The parish has a Hospitality & Social Group. A Partnership Confirmation Programme with Thornleigh Salesian College is held each year, with catechetical sessions at Thornleigh.

Sacraments and pastoral care

To arrange a baptism, the first step is to attend Mass and see the priest afterwards. In the Diocese of Salford, 6 months' notice is required before a wedding, and marriage preparation begins by seeing the priest after Mass.

Visiting

The east window's semi-abstract stained glass, designed and made by Philip Brown of Gounil and Philip Brown of St Leonards-on-Sea in 1964, is visible to visitors.