St Joseph's RC Church Halliwell celebrates 125th anniversary

The mass, attended by clergy, councillors, school children and parishioners was held to mark the 125th anniversary of St Joseph’s RC Church on Horace Street in Halliwell.

An incredible tapestry made out of the vestments of previous clergy by textile artists Susan Sydall and Anne Owen was unveiled and a special anniversary cake, the mass was taken by the Bishop of Salford, The Right Reverand John Arnold.

He said: “This is a wonderful celebration for all involved in the life of this parish and church.

The Bishop of Salford, the Right Reverend John Arnold cutting the cake (Image: Public)

“125 years of Christian faith is testament to the parishioners and clergy and this is a journey we must continue.”

Parish priest Father Chris Gorton and his retired predecessor Father Pat Tansey were also at the service.

Susan Sydall and Anne Owen with their tapestry (Image: Public)

Father Gorton said: “This is a remarkable anniversary for St Joseph’s Church and for those who have attended here over all these many years.

“We celebrated a special mass involving our school pupils with hymns, prayers, gospel and readings reflecting this special occasion.”

The anniversary cake (Image: Public)

The tapestry was put on display with the words 125 Years of Service written across it, while the cake was cut after the service and shared amongst the congregation.

Photos of the church and clergy from years gone by, put up to remind parishioners of their church’s history, were displayed.

Father Gorton and Bishop John Arnold with Cllr Kevin Morris (Image: Public)

Father Tansey, who served as parish priest from 2005 to 2017, said: “It was good to be back here today and to celebrate our faith.

“I have so many happy memories of my time here, St Joseph’s Church is very dear to me.”

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Cllr Kevin Morris, of Halliwell, was one of many well-known figures from the community who joined the celebrations alongside his colleagues Cllr Martin Donaghy and Cllr Richard Silvester.

Cllr Morris said: “It was a real privilege to attend this special anniversary Mass with so many parishioners celebrating a great milestone.

“The pupils participating in the choir did an absolutely wonderful job.

“St Joseph’s is a remarkable church steeped in history in this part of Halliwell.

“It was pleasing to see so many people here and wonderful that the Bishop attended also.”

Cllr Donaghy, Father Tansey, Cllr Silvester and Cllr Morris (Image: Public)

History of St Joseph's RC Church, Halliwell 

The parish was founded in 1879 by Father Henry Brewer.

At first, he rented a small building an old Temperance hall in Halliwell Road.

The first mass was celebrated there on March 30 1879 the solemn opening took place the following Sunday, April 7, and the formal opening and Dedication took place on the April 27 the sermon being preached by Bishop (later Cardinal) Vaughan.

Father Brewer obtained a large plot of land in 1880 on which he built a school-chapel opening as a chapel on June 26 1881.

The school opened in the same building on the August 22.

There were no grants from the Education department for two years so the school was maintained and run by Father Brewer, his parishioners and loyal and devoted teachers, those parents who could afford were asked to make a weekly contribution and from these the teachers’ salaries were paid – if there was sufficient money.

Despite the great poverty in the area Father Brewer built a presbytery in 1885 and in 1886 a new school and in 1898 the foundation stone was laid for the present church thus freeing the school chapel to be used solely as a school. 

Then three years before his death he had finished the new church which was opened in 1900 by Bishop Bilsborrow.

The church was consecrated on March 19 1960, the feast of St Joseph the Worker, by Bishop Beck – just sixty years after its opening.