Hide

Sacred Heart and St Edward, Darwen, Roman Catholic

hide
Hide
Hide
Sacred Heart and St Edward,
Blackburn Road,
Darwen
Lancashire
Hide
topup

Cemeteries

The church does not have a graveyard.

topup

Church History

It was founded in 1878.

 

From 1878 to 1882 Fr. Lathouwers said Mass in a damp and leaky building, quite unsuited for a chapel. This was how the church of St. Edward's began. In August 1882 the Bishop laid the foundation of the present church, so that St. Edward's was quicker to build a church than its parent mission (St Joseph, Darwen). In June 1886 Fr. Rudolf Claase, one of the devoted young priests from Holland who came to help Bishop Vaughan, was appointed, Father Lathouwers going to Rishton. Until July 1928 the parish was under the benevolent and apostolic rule of Fr. Claase.

When Fr. Claase took charge he found that his mission had a church, a piece of barren land, and some 600 people. He added a presbytery of good design, schools, a convent, a girls' hostel, and an addition to the land. Fr. Claase's deep sincerity, the simplicity and charm of manner which he showed to all, made him a much respected figure in the town and helped the prestige of the Catholic body.

At St. Edward's a well-known and picturesque character, Father "Harry" Atkinson, a self-educated Lancashire man, succeeded Fr. Claase.

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.

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.

topup

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.

Copies of Original Registers

Baptisms
Marriages

Baptisms

1878-1923

Copy of Original Register of baptisms 1878-1923 held by Lancashire Archives - MF 1/207

1947-1962

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

Marriages

1882-1941

Copy of Original Register of marriages 1882-1941 held by Lancashire Archives - MF 1/207

1947-1953

Copy of Original Register of marriages 1947-1953 held by Lancashire Archives - RCSF 2

1961-1963

Copy of Original Register of marriages 1961-1963 held by Lancashire Archives - RCSF 2
topup

Maps

It is located at SD6826023890 (Lat/Lon 53.710459, -2.482348). You can see this on maps provided by:

Hide
hide