A school was established on 10 January 1881 and Mass was said in the school building. Fr. Wilfred Baines O.S.B was given charge of the district 1986 but lived at St Mary's. However, on 8 March 1902 St. Benedict's became a separate parish from
Benedictine parish in Warrington: the others being St Alban's Church, Warrington (1755) and St Mary's Church, Warrington (1877). Fr Baines moved to a cottage next to the school in 1902. In 1904 a tin mission church was built in the school playground and was opened on 19 June 1904.[1]
The High Altar was consecrated on 27 February 1927 by Archbishop
Blessed James Bell was built in 1931 adjacent to the school. In 1943 the church was consecrated after the parish had managed to clear its debt. In 1965 a social club was built adjacent to the church.[1]
The last
Benedictine Parish Priest was Fr Augustine Measures O.S.B as the Abbot of Ampleforth Abbey surrendered the parish to the Archbishop of Liverpool in Easter 1986.[1]
A new school building was built in 1991 and the former school and Bell Hall had been demolished by 1993.
Blessed James Bell which also incorporates the former parishes of St Mary's and St Oswald's in Warrington.[3]
References
^ abcdeToole, Dr Janet (2002) The Parish is Really a Beehive,Gemini Print, Wigan
