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St Mary, Dunkenhalgh, Roman Catholic

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St Mary,
Devonshire Drive,
Dunkenhalgh
Lancashire
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Cemeteries

The church has/had a graveyard.

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Church History

It was founded before 1756 on Burnley Road. The current church on Devonshire Drive was built in 1959.

The Catholics of this district went to Mass at Dunkenhalgh, the home of the Walmsleys and the Petres, until a chapel was built in 1819. In 1816, when Dunkenhalgh was being rebuilt, it was decided to build a separate chapel for the parish. Until this was built, Mass was said by a priest from Stonyhurst at Sparth House, according to tradition.

St. Mary's, Enfield, as it is sometimes called, was built on land given by Mr. R. G. Lomax of Clayton Hall, whose family inherited the ancient Catholic estate of the Grimshaws at Clayton Hall. When the chapel was built, the congregation was about 400 in number, and included some from Ireland, although many of the people came from outlying places such as Accrington, Church, Rishton, Great Harwood, Padiham, etc., so that this, parish of St. Mary's is the mother church of several modern ones.

No logbooks are left for the period from 1819 to 1892. There is a baptismal register from 1815, which must have been begun at Dunkenhalgh. Until the mission was taken over by the diocese in 1873, some fourteen Jesuit Fathers had helped the mission. Father John Leadbetter had the most remarkable tenure of office, staying from 1833 to 1873, when he went to Stonyhurst. Father Thos. Fox was the first secular priest. From 1881 to 1892 Fr. J. Hothersall was Rector. Father J. Crombleholme was here until 1905; he was a great expert on orchids and was recognised as an authority on such. He was relieved from 1905 to 1908 by Fr. J. Taylor and then returned until 1923, when he retired to his family in New Zealand, and still remains. Fr. Bartlett (to 1925) and Fr. Gorman (to 1930) are both buried in the churchyard. Fr. F. Foy, Fr. J. Fairclough, and Fr. H. J. Fielding, after working here for a period have left for other parishes. The present parish priest is Fr. J. V. Reynolds.

The church is a plain building rather like the style of the Non-conformist chapels of those days, but inside it is pleasant and devotional. A huge picture of the Presentation by Caracci hangs over the high altar. The parish also has some fine silver of ancient style that belonged to the sanctuary at Dunkenhalgh-a crucifix, a chalice, and patten. There is also an unknown painting of the crucifixion of considerable beauty.

Taken from "Salford Diocese and its Catholic past", a survey by Charles A. Bolton, a Priest of the above Diocese. Published 1950 on the First Centenary for the Diocese of Salford.

The Burnley Road church was located

This site provides historical information about churches, other places of worship and cemeteries. It has no connection with the churches themselves. For current information you should contact them directly.

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Church Records

Whilst every effort has been made to record exact details of record office and library holdings you are recommended to check with them before visiting to ensure that they do hold the records and years you wish to examine. Similarly check with transcript publishers to ensure they cover the records and years you require before making a purchase.

Original Registers

Baptisms
Marriages
Burials

Copies of Original Registers

Baptisms
Marriages
Burials

Baptisms

1756-1837

Copy of Original Register of baptisms 1756-1837 held by Lancashire Archives - CRS 36

1815-1873

Original Registers of baptisms 1815-1873 held by Lancashire Archives - RCCM

1815-1873

Copy of Original Register of baptisms 1815-1873 held by Lancashire Archives - MF 9/195 195A

1947-1962

Copy of Original Register of baptisms 1947-1962 held by Lancashire Archives - RCSF 2

Marriages

1831-1837

Copy of Original Register of marriages 1831-1837 held by Lancashire Archives - CRS 36

1831-1854

Original Registers of marriages 1831-1854 held by Lancashire Archives - RCCM

1831-1854

Copy of Original Register of marriages 1831-1854 held by Lancashire Archives - MF 9/195 195A

1947-1952

Copy of Original Register of marriages 1947-1952 held by Lancashire Archives - RCSF 2

1961-1962

Copy of Original Register of marriages 1961-1962 held by Lancashire Archives - RCSF 2

Burials

1833

Original Registers of burials 1833 held by Lancashire Archives - RCCM

1833

Copy of Original Register of burials 1833 held by Lancashire Archives - MF 9/195 195A

1833

Copy of Original Register of burials 1833 held by Lancashire Archives - CRS 36

1837-1876

Original Registers of burials 1837-1876 held by Lancashire Archives - RCCM

1837-1876

Copy of Original Register of burials 1837-1876 held by Lancashire Archives - MF 9/195 195A
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Maps

It is located at SD7488631146 (Lat/Lon 53.776037, -2.382557). You can see this on maps provided by:

It is located at SD7570631469 (Lat/Lon 53.778979, -2.370141). You can see this on maps provided by:

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