St Mary Jesus and Joseph, Eccles, Roman Catholic

In the year 1849 a school was begun in a hired cottage situated in Barton Lane. This was one of the many off-shoots from the church at Barton under Canon Kershaw.

The success of this venture encouraged the Canon to set up school premises on land given by Sir Thomas de Trafford. These were opened in 1857.

Large additions were made in 1871 on land provided by Sir Humphrey de Trafford, and from that year the school was used as a temporary chapel, served from Barton.

Father T. Sharrock was made first Rector in 1879, but died prematurely in 1893. He was succeeded by Fr. Newton, who was here for thirty years until his death in 1924.

The present parish priest, Fr. J. Drescher, was appointed in that year.

The magnificent church owes much to the generosity of the de Trafford family, who contributed some 20,000 towards this parish. From the same family the parish has received several treasures, notably a valuable old monstrance, and a valuable chalice once used in the private chapel of the de Trafford family. The parish also possesses a valuable cloth of gold banner from Arras Cathedral, France.

Many great preachers have spoken from the pulpit of this church, amongst others being Fr. Bernard Vaughan, and the Archbishop of Liverpool.

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 current church was built in 1898.

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

Copies of Original Registers

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• Vision of Britain (Click "Historical units & statistics" for administrative areas.)
• English Jurisdictions in 1851 (Unfortunately the LDS have removed the facility to enable us to specify a starting location, you will need to search yourself on their map.)
• Magic (Geographic information) (Click + on map if it doesn't show)
• GeoHack (Links to on-line maps and location specific services.)