Image: Holy Saviour RC Parish, Nelson Lancashire Image: Holy Saviour Parish Logo

Holy Saviour RC Parish, Nelson:

A Brief History


 
 
 
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Celebrating the centenary

Preparations for celebrating the centenary of the founding of the parish began in earnest in July 1995. A small team of parishioners, invited by Father Michael to organise and coordinate events, began to canvas opinion from fellow parishioners with regard to the type and scope of activities which would appropriately mark such an occasion and appeal to as many members of the parish community as possible.

Such was the enthusiasm of the parish community that a whole host of social events took place in the latter part of May and throughout June 1996. A Treasure Hunt by car around the local area , discos for teenagers and primary school pupils, a tea party for senior parishioners and family socials all proved popular and successful events.

Two main liturgical services provided the focus of the centenary celebrations. The first of these took place on Sunday 2nd June when Archbishop - elect of Liverpool, The Most Reverend Patrick Kelly Bishop of Salford was chief celebrant at the morning mass during which he performed the ceremony of dedication and consecration of the altar and church.

Image: Photograph of Reverend Patrick Kelly with Father Michael
The Most Reverend Patrick Kelly with Father Michael and the altar boys following the consecration ceremony

This was followed by refreshments in the parish centre which had been extended with a marquee between the centre and the church to provide additional space for the week's celebrations.

By far the most special occasion, and the most eagerly anticipated was the centenary mass held on Saturday 8th June. The parish had the great privilege to welcome as chief celebrant His Eminence Cardinal George Basil Hume Archbishop of Westminster and head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales. The Most Rev. Patrick Kelly, The Right Rev. Monsignor Peter Wilkinson, The Very Rev. Canon Francis Deeney, Rev. Leo Heakin, Rev. Terence Schofield, Rev. James Curry and Rev. Michael Haworth were concelebrants.

Image: Commemorative Plaque Prior to the mass Cardinal Hume unveiled a plaque in the church. Afterwards he met with parishioners and helped to plant a tree in the grounds of the parish centre

Image: Photograph Cardinal Hume

Image: Parishioner Mr. John O'Gara and the Cardinal
Parishioner Mr. John O'Gara and the Cardinal.

Official guests at this centenary mass and the reception which followed in the parish centre included; Sir Simon Towneley, Mr. Gordon Prentice M.P., Mayor and Mayoress of Pendle Mr Frank Clifford and Mrs Carol Riley, Mr Frank Corban, head teacher Holy Saviour's primary school and Mr Peter Donnelly, head teacher Ss. John Fisher & Thomas More RC High School.

Image: Old Banner
Behind the scenes; one parishioner patiently and lovingly restored an old banner (its history we have not been able to determine).

A good friend of the parish made a new chasuble (white and gold coloured) which was used for the first time by Cardinal Hume at the centenary mass.

Image: Photograph new alter cruets   Image: Photograph new alter paten

New altar cruets and paten were donated in memoriam of two families who had long established links with the parish.

Souvenir prayer cards, pens, bookmarks and badges were on sale throughout the months of celebrations and helped raise funds to offset the expenses incurred in staging the various activities. The parish community, as always, rose to the occasion and although there was a lot of hard work involved, thoroughly enjoyed themselves and whatever the event smiles abounded!!!!!

Image: Celebrating the centenary   Image: Celebrating the centenary

Image: Celebrating the centenary   Image: Celebrating the centenary

Image: Celebrating the centenary   Image: Celebrating the centenary

Image: Photograph a lorry impacts the church wall   Image: Photograph of the hole made by the lorry

One significant event that had not been planned occurred just days after the Cardinal's visit. A three-ton lorry swerving to avoid another vehicle smashed into the wall of the church. Thankfully the driver and his passengers escaped without serious injuries. However the lorry had punched a hole through the church wall and sent water cascading across the church floor from broken heating pipes. The only good news regarding this incident was that the damage had just missed the newly unveiled plaque!

Image: The Pendle Youth Orchestra   Image: Parish/School Fun Day
The final scheduled centenary event held at the end of June was the Parish/School Fun Day held at the school. A great variety of stalls and activities were provided as well as entertainment from The Pendle Youth Orchestra and The Oswaldtwistle Cloggers. Everyone agreed that it was a wonderful day, blessed by good weather, and truly a marvellous event to bring the celebrations officially to a close.
Image: Parish/School Fun Day   Image: Parish/School Fun Day

 
Image: Father John Conner Image: Father Edward Byrne Image: Father Thomas Hargreaves
Image: Father Peter Arkwright Image: Father John Molloy Image: Father Martin Brogan
Image: Father Fathers Brian Murphy and Rodney Nelson
Fathers Brian Murphy and Rodney Nelson		 Image: Father Michael Haworth
Father Michael Haworth		 Image: Father Chris Gorton
Father Chris Gorton

Catholics of this area of Nelson will be ever indebted to the priests who have served the parish.

    Parish Priests  Assistant Priests
1900-1913  Rev. John Connor    
1913-1915  Rev. Thomas Henshaw  (later Bishop of Salford)
1915-1917  Rev. Charles Radcliffe    
1917-1927  Rev. Joseph Rees  (First curate appointed 1937)
1927-1945  Rev. Edward Byrne  Rev. Joseph Stack (1937-1940)
        Rev. Francis Tierney (1940-1941)
        Rev. Patrick Breen (1941-1944)
        Rev. James Rattigan (1944-1944)
        Rev. Meehan (1944-1945)
1945-1953  Rev. Thomas Hargreaves  Rev. William Geaney 1945-1945
        Rev. William Leeming (1946-1947)
        Rev. Patrick McCarron (1947-1951)
        Rev. Murray (1951-1953)
1953-1972  Rev. Peter Arkwright  Rev. Michael Fitzpatrick 1953-1958
        Rev. John Henderson (1958-1960)
        Rev. Joseph Leigh (1960-1970)
1972-1979  Rev. William Thorpe  Rev. Peter Birmingham (1970-1981)
1979-1988  Rev. John Molloy  Rev. Martin Brogan (1980-1985)
        Rev. Brian Murphy (1985-1987)
        Rev. Rodney Nelson (1987-1988)
1988-1993  Rev. Peter Dilworth    
1993-2005  Rev. Michael Haworth    
2005-Present  Rev. Chris Gorton    

Holy Saviour's infant school first opened on 24th October 1896 with the original teachers Miss C. Callum and Miss A.T. Ryan and 72 pupils.

Today's primary school with 190 pupils on roll are taught by equally dedicated teachers:-
Miss Emily Craven (Aug 2002) - Year R Classteacher/Acting Assistant Headteacher
Mrs. Christine Tagg (Aug 1998) - Year 1 Classteacher
Mrs. J Woods (???) - Year 2 Classteacher
Miss J Durkin (???) - Year 3 Classteacher
Mrs. Patricia Bedford (Aug 1993) - Year 4 Classteacher
Mrs. Lynne Murphy (May 1990) - Year 5 Classteacher/Acting Deputy Headteacher
Mrs. Cathy Baxter (Aug 1997) - Year 6 Classteacher
Mrs. Ann Marie Coupe (Sep 1996) - Planning, Preparation and Assessment Teacher
under the leadership of the head teacher Mrs. A. Lubomski (???).

Between the school's inauguration and the present day 11 more head teachers and 55 other teachers have conscientiously and diligently shared the responsibility for the education of the children of the parish and surrounding communities. It is with sincere gratitude that they are remembered.

Head teachers
Miss Mary Nolan (Sept 1907 - Feb 1941)
Miss Winefrede Gallagher (May 1941 - Dec 1964)
Miss Mary Fitzpatrick (Acting) (Jan 1965 - Apr 1965)
Miss Marie Whalley (May 1965 - Aug 1969)
Mrs. Joan Skinner (Acting) (Sep 1969 - Dec 1969)
Miss Mary Tunstall (Jan 1970 - Aug 1976)
Mr. Francis Kendall (Aug 1976 - Aug 1982)
Mr. Frank Corban (Sep 1982 - Aug 1996)
Miss Ann Marie Burkett (Acting) (Sept 1996 - May 1997)
Mr. David Armstrong (May 1997 - Unknown)
Mrs. A. Lubomski (Unknown - Present Day)

Assistant Teachers
Miss Ethel Foster (May 1901-Jul 1917)
Miss Mary McGhie (Jul 1917-Aug 1917)
Sister Euphrasia (Aug 1917-Oct 1917)
Miss Eileen McKeowan (Oct 1917-Aug 1919)
Miss Mary Corcoran (Aug 1919-Jan 1941)
Miss F. Corcoran (Jan 1941- )
Miss E. Crangle (Jan 1941- )
Miss Catherine Rowan (Mar 1941-Dec 1942)
Miss Merrick (Jan 1941- )
Mrs. Hopkinson (Jan 1941- )
Miss S. Jordan (Apr 1941-Jun 1941)
Miss L. Jordan (Apr 1941-Jun 1941)
Miss Mary Vickers (Jul 1941-Dec 1961)
Miss Mary Fitzpatrick (Jan 1962-Apr1965)
Miss Mildred Quinn (Jan 1965-Jul 1965)
Mrs. Joan Skinner (May1965-Aug 1986)
Miss Patricia Yates (Aug 1965-Sep 1966)
Miss Denise Webster (Sep 1966-Sep 1967)
Miss Marie McInerney (Aug 1967-Jul 1968)
Miss Corfield (Oct 1967-Nov 1967)
Mrs. Angela Allen (Jan 1968-Dec 1971)
Mrs. Winifred Tunley (Aug 1968-Dec 1971)
Mrs. M. Kelly (Jan 1970-Jul 1970)
Mrs. Angela Allen (Jan 1972-Aug 1975)
Mrs. Turner (Jan 1972-Dec 1972)
Mrs. V. Venn (Aug 1973-Mar 1976)
Mrs. Shelia Delamere (Sep 1975-Aug 1988)
Mrs. Ogden (Mar 1976-Aug 1977)
Mr Edwin Robinson (Jan 1973-Aug 1974)
Mrs. M. Adamson (Jan 1973-May 1997)
Mrs. Greenwood (Jan 1973-Aug 1975)
Mrs. Hammond (Jan 1973)
Mrs. E. Kendal (Jan 1973-Aug 1983)
Miss C. Thursby (Jan 1973-Jul 1973)
Miss Bradshaw (Feb 1973-Jul 1973)
Mr. H.F. Doran (Aug 1973-Apr 1976)
Mr. G. Wright (Aug 1973-Jan 1974)
Mr. John Ashworth (Sep 1974-Apr 1982)
Mrs. Bellamy Brown (Aug 1974-Sep 1974)
Mrs. Shirley Cockcroft (Sep 1974-Aug 1983)
Mrs. E. Reynoldson (Sep 1975-Dec 1989)
Mrs. Shelia Delamere (Sep 1975-Aug 1988)
Mrs. Ogden (Mar1976-Aug 1977)
Sister Barbara (Aug 1976-Jul 1980)
Miss Patricia McElroy (Sep 1983-Aug 1986)
Mr. Alan Mooney (Aug1983-Aug 1995)
Mrs. Margaret Noonan (Oct 1983- Aug 2002)
Miss Katherine McGrath (Sep 1986-Dec 1990)
Miss Kathryn Houseman (Sep 1986- Aug 1996)
Mrs. Marie Jackson (Jan 1991-Aug 1995)
Mrs. Helen Kenyon (Sep 1994- Dec 1996)
Mrs. Margaret Garnett (Aug 1994- Jun 1996)
Mrs. Jackie Clegg (Aug 1996-Nov 1997)
Mrs. Susan El Merhebi (Jan 1997- July 1997)
Mrs. Andrea Barrowclough(Aug 1997-Apr 1998)
 

Image: Commemorative Plaque As this booklet went to print the parish was about to commemorate the centenary of the building of the church.

On Sunday 15th August 2004, The Right Reverend Monsignor Mark Davies was chief celebrant at the 10.30am mass. This was yet another very special occasion in the life and history of the parish.
 

A note from the compiler:
Thank you to all who provided documentary evidence and photographs to enable this brief history of the parish to be written. May I make a special request that as and when special events take place in the coming years, any photographs or relevant information might be named and dated and submitted to the parish priest for retention in an archive file.

Maureen McDermott August 2004
 

Last updated and published online February 2007

Image: The church building as seen from the side

Image: Holy Saviour Parish Logo

© Holy Saviour R.C. Parish. Nelson, Lancashire.