a4bookletweb

A HISTORY OF THE PARISH OF
ST. MARY’S, EUXTON

Contents

Introduction page 2

The Earliest Days page 3
Euxton Recusants page 4

Parishioners in 1767 page 5

The Catholic Mission in Euxton page 6

Chief Benefactors of the Euxton Mission page 7

The New Church page 9

The Church – the first 150 years! page 16

The Changing Face of the Sanctuary page 18

The Stained Glass page 20

Euxton Hall Chapel page 24
The Cemetery page 26

The Catholic Clergy of Euxton page 27

Men of Euxton called to the Priesthood page 33

Blessed Robert Anderton page 40

The Anderton family of Euxton Hall – Religious Vocations page 41

The Primary School page 42

Parishioners who died in the two World Wars page 43

Musical Tradition page 44
Recollections of Parish Life page 45
page 51
Guilds page 53
Union of Catholic Mothers page 55
Recollections of an Altar Server page 56
An Organist Looks Back page 57
Processional Banners page 59
Sir Stanley and Lady Margaret Bell page 60
Vincent Parkinson page 62
Parish Life in Pictures
page 66
Timeline of the “Parish History”

Acknowledgements inside back page

Published by St Mary’s Catholic Church, Euxton, 2015
Copyright of Liverpool Archdiocesan Trustees, 2015
www.stmarys-euxton.com

1

Introduction

This History of the Parish of St Mary’s has been compiled to mark the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the
opening of the church on 29th October 1865. Euxton’s Catholic history, however, pre-dates the building of our
church by some 500 years, with the Faith being upheld and protected through the dark days of the Penal times
by prominent local families.
This is both a history of the parish and a history of the church itself, and although the church is fundamental to
the parish it is the people associated with the parish that has made it what it is, so they are given appropriate
prominence – historic figures, benefactors, clergy, notable parishioners and parish groups are all covered to the
extent that space permits.
This is not presented as a definitive, scholarly history – I apologise for any omissions, but the passage of time
and the lack of much contemporary archive material means that, in many areas, there has been a reliance on
general research and on individual and collective memories. Mentioning memories: we have welcomed the
personal recollections of parishioners’ own experiences within the life of the parish and a number of these are
contained in this booklet and also in the 150th Anniversary Exhibition.
All contributors are warmly thanked – I hope to have faithfully represented your contributions.
Tom Parker
June 2015

This picture is undated, but is probably the earliest picture we have of the church and grounds.
The parish priest can be seen seated on the bench with his dog alongside him. It is known that both Fr Worthy

and Fr Keeley had dogs, so this doesn’t help in identifying who the priest is, or the date of the photograph!
All we know is that the photo must have been taken after 1877 as the presbytery tower has the clock installed.

You might notice the different shape of the steeple compared to today, and the black clock face.

2

The Earliest Days

There is a long history of Catholicism in Euxton stretching back to pre-Reformation days, with two of Lancashire's
oldest Catholic families - the Andertons and the Molyneuxs - having had significant links with Euxton over the
best part of the last 650 years.

In describing the history of Euxton, Dr Keurden (1622-1700) a noted historian of the time records that "About
the year 1360, Sir William Molyneux became Lord of the Manor by marrying.... so the manor of Euxton came to
the inheritance of the Molyneux family....". The Molyneux family were historically the Earls of Sefton, and that for
a period in the medieval times Euxton was known as "Euxton by Sefton" (with a variety of spellings!). The
manorial estate was later sold to William Ince Anderton whose family seat had been at Euxton Hall since the
reign of Henry VIII, and the ties between two of Lancashire's foremost Catholic families of the time (the Anderton
and Molyneux families) were further strengthened by the marriage of William Anderton to Mary, daughter of
Viscount Molyneux in 1738. The Molyneux family maintained its Catholic tradition until 1768, when Charles
Molyneux (at that time a minor and the heir to the Molynuex title, and who had received a Protestant education)
publicly conformed to the Established Church.

The first indication of Christianity in Euxton lies in the placename of Armetriding, whose Old English meaning is
“Hermit-Riding” or place of the hermit. The first documentary evidence of Christianity is found in a Deed of 1330
in which “Robert, the son of Richard the Priest of Eukeston” makes a grant of land (interestingly enough, the land
was previously owned by Avice of Ermetriding!). A later related Deed names “Richard, the son of Robert the
Priest of Eukeston” and “Robert, the son of Gilbert the Priest of Eukeston”, so perhaps there was some sort of
religious community here. Euxton's Catholic history can be traced back to the 14th century, when it housed a
"chapel of ease" to Leyland Parish Church (perhaps with “Richard the Priest” in residence?).

The then-Catholic chapel at Euxton (now the

Church of England parish church) is believed to

have been rebuilt by the Molyneux family in the

16th century. The “Historical Notices of the
Diocese of Chester” record that “In the 15th (year)

of Henry VIII (ie 1524) James Anderton of Euxton

founded a Chantry in the Chapel of Euxton for a

Priest to pray for the souls of himself and Agnes,

his wife” – the first mention of the Anderton family

in relation to the Chapel. The chapel remained "in

Catholic hands" long after the Reformation, as the

ownership was vested in the Molyneux family

rather than the Catholic Church, although few

services took place there and it gradually fell into

disrepair, before the ownership was transferred to

the Church of England in 1718. In 1687, however,

Euxton Parish Church as the restrictions on the practice of the Faith were

(the former Catholic church) temporarily eased under James II, the Vicar

Apostolic, Bishop Leyburn, undertook a nationwide

Confirmation tour and it is notable that 1,138 Catholics of the Leyland Hundred were Confirmed at the Catholic

Chapel in Euxton, although this brief respite from the earlier persecution was followed by a further period of

persecution.

Prior to the restoration of the Catholic Hierarchy in 1850, local clergy depended entirely on the support of
benefactors to enable them to live and provide religious services. Given that early clergy tended to be from the
“gentrified classes” some of this support came from their families (and, indeed some priests were relatively
wealthy in their own right) but the main support tended to come from the local gentry – in Euxton the prime (but
not sole) benefactors were the Anderton family.

From the earliest days of the persecution in Elizabethan times up until 1865 the Catholics of Euxton practiced
their faith at Euxton Hall, the manor house of the Anderton family. Throughout this time Catholics were still
buried in the “Parish Church” graveyard - the “Historical Notices of the Diocese of Chester” (1725) record that
“The remnant of a stone Cross, of some antiquity, formerly in the Chapel, lies neglected outside the gate of the
Chapel-yard, and is used by the Roman Catholics at their funerals as a station”.

The Catholic Chapel at Euxton Hall was originally a single small room in the Hall, to enable concealment of the
celebration of the holy mass and sacraments. From the Reformation until 1735 there is no regular record of
priests officiating at Euxton, although records suggest that the Rev. Thomas Towneley was the priest around
1725 and that the 7th Viscount Molyneux (William), a Jesuit priest who was the brother-in-law of the then squire,
lived and officiated at Euxton Hall around 1730.

3

Euxton Recusants

Euxton was a noted centre of Catholicism during the Penal Times and numerous Euxton folk are named as
Recusants in the Quarter Session records of the time:

Euxton Recusants, 1630
Thomas More
Robert Hodgson

Euxton Recusants, 1632 Yeoman
Robert Worthington
William Reskow
John Sharrock
William Critchlow
Henry Stones

for Agnes Gradwell

Euxton Recusants, 1678 Gentleman
wife of William
William Anderton Gentleman
Maria Anderton wife of John
John Walmesley Husbandman
Margaret Walmesley Labourer
Henry Vusworth Spinster
William Cowper Carpenter
Margaret Cowper wife of George
George Bankcroft
Jenett Bankcroft

Euxton Recusants in the Reign of Charles II

Euxton Recusants, 1682 Margaret Rigby Spinster

Willus Anderton Alicia Rigby Spinster
Johes Mawdsley
Robtus Storres Gentleman Thomas Moore Husbandman
Margrett Anderton Gentleman
Margrett Tootell Yeoman Jenetta Moore Wife
Robtus Hudson Widow
Maria Hudson Widow Ricardus Moore
Edrus Woodcocke Husbandman
Ricus Moore Wife fil predicti Thome Moore
Margrett Wadsworth Yeoman
Ellena Cocker Husbandman Robertus Hodgson Husbandman
Margrett Swanie Spinster
Robtus Stones Widow Maria Hodgson Wife
Thomas Cooper Spinster
Anna Cooper Yeoman Margaret Tootell
Willius Mellnige Husbandman
Ellena Mellnige Wife wife of Willelmi
Anna Hodson Husbandman
Anna Bowlinge Wife Jenetta Houghton Widow
Widow
wife of Thome Shoemaker Ricardus Houghton
Willius Woodcocke
Henricus Unsworth Husbandman Hugo Woodcock Yeoman
Jana Unsworth Husbandman
Margrett Allnison Wife his Wife
Willus Anderton Widow
Johes Winstanley Gentleman Willelmus Woodcock
Robtus Stones Gentleman
Margareta Roby Yeoman Willelmus Melling Husbandman
Ellena Woodcocke Widow
Margaret Ffishwicke Widow Ellena his Wife
Widow
Anna Hodgson Widow

Willelmus Radsworth Husbandman

Margareta Radsworth Spinster

Thomas Roscow Husbandman

Anna his Wife

Laurencius Breares Yeoman

his Wife

Jane Melling Spinster

Alicia Nixon Widow

Anna ffisher Widow

Henricus Unsworth Labourer

Alicia his Wife

The above lists are testimony to Euxton’s commitment to the faith over the Centuries.

4

Parishioners in 1767

Between 1680 and 1781, Parliament requested information about known or reputed Roman Catholics on a
number of occasions. In 1767 individual names of people were recorded - the following is an extract of the
Diocese of Chester Return of Papists living in Euxton recorded in 1767:

Household Householder Male Female
Age (and Children Age Children Age
Mr Jno White a Roman Priest – and 2 Servants years of
Mr Robt Daniel & Wife a Farmer – and 7 Servants residence) 24,26 27
Thos Singleton & Wife a Farmer – and 2 Sons & 1 Daughter 55 (30) 17,20,25 21,25,28
Oliver Woods a Paper Maker and 3 Sons 3 Daughters & 1 50 (17) 28
Servant 50,48 (50) 31,35 20,28
Wm Taylor & Wife a Farmer – and 1 Son & 1 Servant 66 (40) 3,8,11,13 4,6,9
Elizabeth Chadock Spinster 1
Catharine Arnot Spinster – and 2 Sons & 2 Daughters 50 (4) 7 8
Thos Cooper & Wife Thatcher – and 4 Sons & 3 Daughters 70 (25) 26,30,32,40
Jno Woods & Wife a Linen Weaver – and 1 child 50 (24) 3,5 9,11
Elizabeth Allenson Spinster – and 1 child 50 (16) 45,28
Jane Crook and 3 sisters 24 (24)
36 (20) 12,14
James Crook Weaver 27,30,32,40

Mary Allenson Spinster (20)
45 (4)
Jno Woods & Wife Weaver – and 2 Sons & 1 Daughter 58 (40)
28 (20)
Jno Allenson & Wife Husbandman 2 Sons 70 (70)

& 4 Daughters 24 (2)
45 (4)
Jno Gerrard & Wife Weaver – and 3 Women Servants

Jno Dewhurst & Wife Farmer – and 2 Sons & 2 Daughters

Jno Fishwick & Wife Farmer – and 1 Child 30 (2) 2
32 (7) 8,11
Jno Johnson & Wife Farmer – and 2 Men Servants & 1 2,9,11
38
Woman Servant 1,9,12
46
James Higgison & Wife a Weaver – and 2 Sons & 2 50 (10) 2,5 9
60
Daughters 20
55
Jno Woods & Wife Carpenter – and 3 Sons & 3 Daughters 45 (20) 5,7,8
50 (4)
Margt Unsworth 60 (30) 2,5,6,11
30 (4)
Ralph Higgison & Wife Weaver 31 (6) 6
40 (10) 2,4,7
Jno Astley Weaver 42 (20)
(40)
Benjamin Astley & Wife Weaver (10)
(31)
Thos Thompson & Wife Farmer and 4 Sons & 3 Daughters (5)
(42)
Anne Butterworth Spinster

Alice Higgison Spinster

Jane Baron

Jane Clitheroe and 3 Sons & 2 Daughters

Richd Roscow & Wife Weaver and 1 Son & 1 Daughter

Jno Addison & Wife Whitster and 3 Sons

Whilst this is a valuable record of Catholics in Euxton at the time, it doesn’t tell the full story. This Return
records a total of 95 Catholics as living in Euxton, although there is the possibility that some Catholics
may not have wanted to register (where are the Anderton family, for example?) - additionally the
boundary of the Mission as it was at the time extended beyond the physical boundary of Euxton Burgh.
From the start of the Baptismal Register in 1740 up to 1767 there were 220 baptisms at the Euxton Hall
chapel, and very few of the above householders and their children who were born in that timescale were
among those baptised….. so – it seems certain that there would have been more than 95 Catholics in the
Euxton Mission in 1767.

An interesting point to emerge from this record lies in the years of residence of the householders – one
tends to think of “old Euxton” to be a place where families lived for generations with few incomers,
whereas only 5 of these householders in 1767 had lived in Euxton for their whole lifetime – additionally,
virtually none of the surnames recorded in the 17th Century Recusant Rolls are apparent in the 1767
Return – where did these people go?

5

The Catholic Mission in Euxton

Some historical records date the foundation of the Catholic Mission in Euxton as 1718 – the “Historical Notes on
English Catholic Missions” states that this was the date when “a chapel was constructed at Euxton Hall ‘in a room
open to the public” - but the more widely accepted date of the establishment of the permanent mission in Euxton
is 1735 - the Rev. Thomas Anderton, uncle to the then squire William Anderton and priest at Towneley for 36
years, made his will in 1735 and bequeathed most of his property "for the support of the Chapel which I have
established at Euxton Hall". The Rev Anderton (who had been born in Euxton in 1675) died in 1741 and it is from
this time that a permanent clergy was appointed and the Parish Registers commence. It can reasonably be said
that Rev Thomas Anderton was the founder of the post-Reformation Catholic Chapel in Euxton.

The Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1791 relieved Catholics of a number of restrictions – among the provisions of
the Act, Catholics were permitted the exercise of their religion, and the existence of their schools and their
chapels were required to be registered - the Euxton Hall Chapel was registered on the 6th October 1791. But
where exactly was the Chapel located historically?

It is clear that the “1718 Chapel” was inside the Hall, but the Hall was rebuilt in 1739 and, it must be presumed,
the Chapel would have been affected. “Our Country Churches and Chapels” records: “The Catholic Chapel at
Euxton Hall was at first only a small room, up some back steps, at the north-west corner of the old building. It
was often altered and enlarged as occasion required until a new chapel was built in 1817, at the south-east
corner, by public subscription.” This narrative seems quite clear that (pre-1817) the Chapel was always inside
the Hall – however the history “Landed Families of Britain and Ireland” records: “For a time the family had
masses said in a room in the house, but Fr. Thomas Anderton (1675-1741) created a new Catholic chapel
adjoining the hall, which was rebuilt by public subscription in 1817” which clearly implies that a separate,
external, Chapel existed before 1817.

The wording of the appeal made by William Ince Anderton in 1816 for subscriptions towards the building of a new
Chapel could be interpreted as supporting the thesis that a separate, external, Chapel already existed:
“The old Chapel at Euxton Hall being considerably too small for the present congregation, William Anderton Esq
has agreed to give a Building near to the old chapel, which is intended to be enlarged and make other alterations
necessary to be done by subscription of the congregation which being very poor the assistance of the charitably
disposed is most humbly requested”.

Additionally, in providing information about the new church to Slater’s Directory in November 1864, Fr Worthy
commenced as follows: “The Roman Catholic Chapel which for 130 years has been attached to Euxton Hall has
become dilapidated and inadequate……” again: a fairly clear implication that the Chapel was external to the Hall,
with the reference to 130 years implicitly confirming that this was the “Rev Thomas Anderton Chapel”.

Unless new evidence comes to light, we might never have total certainty as to when the first “external Chapel”
was established.

Wherever the earlier Chapel was, a new Chapel was built in 1817 by William Ince Anderton, partly funded by
public subscription. The list of Subscribers was opened in 1816 and around 100 individual subscribers contributed
£345. The expenditure on the Chapel was £535 which left a debt of around £200 – it isn’t known exactly how and
when the debt was repaid, but it is known that the Anderton family bought the chapel back from the Church in
order to provide the funds to commence the building of a new church, so it is likely that the debt was cleared at
that time – in any event, the balance in this “Church Building Fund” was £661 in 1853.

By this time the Catholic congregation was
beginning to outgrow the “1817 chapel”
and the newly-established Diocese wanted
to erect its own Church Buildings. The
process of agreeing the site, design and
financing of the new Church buildings
(including the Church itself, Priest’s
house, School, Schoolteacher’s house, and
Cemetery) took some years to complete –
far longer, indeed, than the actual
building activity!

This engraving of Euxton Hall as it was
after its 1739 re-build was published in
1846, showing the Chapel to the right of
the main building

6





The New Church

The Anderton family had provided the village with Chapel, priest’s accommodation and a Catholic School up to
this time and were clearly very committed to the maintenance and growth of the Faith – as the local Squire,
however, it is equally clear that Mr Anderton had become accustomed to the rights and privileges that existed
though his ownership and sole benefaction of these facilities. Following the Restoration of the Catholic Hierarchy
in 1850, it is certain that the Bishop sought to establish and exercise his primacy in these matters, but, of
course, he did not want to alienate his major benefactor whilst doing this!
From the surviving Parish Records it can be seen that the Church set out to buy (non-Anderton) property and
land adjoining the existing Priest’s house in Euxton in 1859 using the “Church Building Fund” to secure the land
required for the new Church buildings. This land (off Wigan Road opposite the Euxton Hall estate) was actually
bought by Mr Anderton (who presumably outbid the Church!) and the following 4 years saw a series of meetings
/ proposals / counter-proposals between Mr Anderton and Fr Worthy / Bishop Goss regarding the financing and
siting of the new Church.
Matters seemed to come to a head in December 1863 when Mr Anderton formally offered land at Primrose Hill for
the planned Church and Cemetery – by this time Mr Anderton had more or less accepted that the new Church
would be a “public Church” rather than his own “private Church” (whilst being open to the public!). The
correspondence suggests that Mr Anderton would have been willing to completely fund the building of a Church
close to Euxton Hall provided that it would continue to be his private property, and although it is clear that he
was unwilling to permit a public cemetery to be opened near the Hall he intended to open a private burial plot for
the Family close to the Chapel near the Hall. Fr Worthy was opposed to Mr Anderton’s proposals on practical
grounds, Primrose Hill being too far away from the congregation and the School; there were also concerns about
Mr Anderton’s continuing wish to retain a degree of control over the running of the Mission.
Fr Worthy identified a number of potential sites in Euxton for the required developments, identifying a “site
opposite the Protestant School” as his favoured option. Mr Anderton expressed his concern about the Church
moving “into the Village” – would it be accepted by the local population?…… an interesting question given that
the Act of Catholic Emancipation had been passed more than 30 years earlier!
Bishop Goss suggested that Fr Worthy approach the owner of this land (Mr George Garstang) to enquire whether
this land might be for sale, and Mr Garstang gifted the land to the Church to enable the development. The land in
question (the current site!) was transferred to the ownership of the Church in April 1864, albeit that Mr Anderton
continued to discuss the “ownership” question with Bishop Goss.
Mr Anderton was clearly unhappy at this turn of events and felt that the Church was failing to recognise the
Family’s position as "ancient protectors of the Church in Euxton", but he acknowledged the reality of the situation
and eventually became reconciled to this, and, indeed, made a donation of £1000 towards the cost of the
building of the Church.
Mr Anderton was largely living in Brighton during this time, and a series of letters between himself and Fr Worthy
reveal his unhappiness with the design of the side chapel as it emerged – covering not just the design, but also
its access and usability as a private chapel (the Church being “inconveniently far” from the Hall) – he first
requested curtains and then a screen around the chapel – he argued the cost; but eventually came to terms with
it all, and the Anderton family continued as major benefactors to the Parish throughout their lives.

Members of the Anderton family pictured
outside the entrance to the
Anderton Chapel

9

Edward Welby Pugin was the architect of the Church, although it is clear that Rev John Worthy had a strong input
to the design and subsequent ordering of the church building, fixtures and fittings.
Fr Worthy was undoubtedly a man of action and energy – on 2nd May 1864 within days of the transfer of
ownership of the land, Fr Worthy wrote the first of many letters to Pugin outlining his ideas (requirements!) for
the internal layout of the church, including this hand-drawn sketch of his design:

It can be seen that the “Anderton Chapel” was envisaged as simply being a seating/kneeling area, with no
separate access and no screen; the Font was at the back of the Nave; confessionals were in the North Transept;
and the Presbytery seemed to be planned to be at the side of the church rather than the rear (from the direction
of the passageway off the Vestry). Note that Fr Worthy has calculated that the church will accommodate 350
people, including 30 in the Gallery, 12 in the “Anderton Tribune”, and 56 in the Aisles, whilst “still leaving room
for passage”

10

Discussions (ie exchanges of letters) continued, and by the 3rd June 1864 the design had developed as follows:

The Chancel shape has changed to square; the Anderton Chapel has moved to the other side of the Nave; the
Font is now in the South Transept; the Vestry and Confessional are on the north side of the Chancel; and a Pulpit
has appeared. The note at the top of the drawing refers to changes from the plan of May 30th - apparently
extending the size of the “Anderton Tribune” from the previous plan “thus allowing room to move from front of
Tribune to back for Sermon thus giving full view of Altar and Preacher”: this presumably being at the behest of
Mr Anderton!

11

By the 16th June the design had progressed to:

There was now clearly a decision to be made regarding the shape of the Chancel; the Vestry (including the
Confessional) has moved onto the outer wall; there is now an open porch behind the Vestries; and the
passageway indicates that the Presbytery is now situated behind the church.
Interestingly there is now a reference to a “Future Anderton Chantry” which clearly appears on the plan as a
future enhancement to the planned original building. This design implies that there would be no “Anderton
Chapel” in the planned building…… perhaps an indication of further disagreement with Mr Anderton?
There were undoubtedly more exchanges before the final design was agreed – and given that the foundation-
stone was laid on 28th August it is amazing that agreement on such a complex matter could be reached in that
timescale when every idea, and its implications, had to be “discussed” by writing letters!
A final plan titled “1st plan – before alterations” was agreed, and is reproduced overleaf. It is worthwhile noting
that all these sketch plans were drawn by Fr Worthy!

12

The “1st Plan – before alterations” for the Church and Presbytery This was
clearly a
13 working
document
given its
tattered
nature.

Note the
apparent
positioning
of the
Baptism
Font at the
back of the
Church.

The priest’s
side of the
Confessional
is in the
Vestry, and
the North
Transept
contains a
small font.

The
Anderton
Chapel does
not yet have
its Gothic
screen

The Altar is
set back in
the
Sanctuary
(as it was
until 1991).

Otherwise
there has
been
precious
little change
to the
layout of
the Church
and
Presbytery
in the
intervening
150 years!

Fr Worthy is remembered as the “First Rector and Builder” of the church, and his description as “Builder” is well-
merited. He wasn’t just intimately involved in the design of the church, he selected and ordered materials,
negotiated with suppliers, arranged and chased deliveries, harangued suppliers and tradesmen whose
performance fell below his expectation, and directly managed the building activity. All of this whilst continuing to
negotiate with, and placate, Mr Anderton and Bishop Goss – and not forgetting that he had a full-time job
attending to his priestly ministry! How did he do it all?

As indicated above, Mr Anderton had many misgivings about the new church – his loss of control, his
unhappiness at the perceived lack of appreciation of his family’s historic support of the Church, and the location
of the building: but he evidently decided to accept the situation as it was. He did, however, dig his heels in over
the arrangements concerning the Anderton Chapel – its position, furnishing, access and privacy, perhaps not
unreasonably given that he was being asked to cover all the costs associated with the Chapel over and above the
donation he had made to the church building cost itself.

It was the question of privacy that most bothered Fr Worthy – the original “agreed” plan (on the previous pages)
show the Anderton Chapel as being open to the Nave, with the south aisle running along the back. On 7th
October 1865 Fr Worthy writes to Mr Anderton and, essentially, tells him that his plans for the Anderton Chapel
do not meet his approval given that they involve the installation of “high rails and curtains between you and the
Sanctuary” and that “no-one should be allowed to make himself a hiding place in a public church”, however Fr
Worthy can probably recognise the strength of Mr Anderton’s position as he states that he will leave the decision
to Bishop Goss, and abide by whatever that decision is. There is no further correspondence on the matter, but
the Bishop presumably acceded to Mr Anderton’s requests as the curtained screen was subsequently installed
(and stayed there until the last of the Anderton’s was buried).

The book "Old Country Churches and Chapels" published in 1872 gives the Catholic population of the district as
500, with the average attendance at the two Sunday morning services being 320, with 180 attending the
afternoon service, the congregation being “made up of agricultural people, factory workers, and miners, and
although some of them are rough-spun, all maintain great order during the services…”

The Laying of the Church Foundation Stone – 28th August 1864

The following is an extract of the report published in the "Chorley Standard" dated 3rd September 1864:
NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH AT EUXTON
THE CEREMONY OF BLESSING AND LAYING THE CORNER STONE

One of those peculiarly pleasing ceremonies, which are so fraught with interest to the members of any religious
body, be they of whatever creed or sect they may, took place on Sunday afternoon last, at the village of Euxton,
distant about three miles from Chorley. The ceremony of blessing the foundations and laying the corner-stone of
a new church is one that is most strictly defined by the ritual of the Roman Catholic Church. It forms a public
service of at least half-an-hour, even when no part it is chanted, but on the present occasion the ceremony was
rendered very impressive, from the fact that a full choral service was performed.

Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather on Sunday afternoon last, the very large concourse of persons
present on the occasion bore ample testimony to the interest which the performance of the ceremony had
excited. Long before the time specified a very considerable number of persons were on the ground, and when the
proceedings commenced it is estimated that there were not less than three thousand spectators present. A raised
platform had been erected at the eastern end of the ground on which were placed the chair for the Bishop, and
the requisites for the ceremonial. These were protected from the weather by a covering of canvas. The stone
which also rested on the eastern corner, was a somewhat massive piece of masonry. On the top were carved the
figures 1864, and on the front, surmounted by the sign of the cross, was carved the following inscription:-

"In the name of God, and of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
This stone was blessed and placed on the 28th August 1864 by the Right Rev. Alexander Goss, D.D. Second

Bishop of Liverpool.
Pray for the good estate of Wm Ince Anderton and George Garstang, Esqrs,

the chief benefactors of this Church."

Shortly after half past three-o-clock, the Bishop of Liverpool (the Right Rev Dr Goss) ascended the platform,
attended by the following clergymen:- The Very Rev Canon Greenhalgh, Revds Jas Dowding, W. Corlett, and Rev.
J. Worthy, the pastor of the church, all being clothed in pontifical costume. Having taken their places the
ceremony was commenced by the Bishop repeating in Latin the prayers appointed for the occasion after which he
blessed the water which was to be used for sprinkling the stone, at the same time throwing in some salt, which
was done in the form of a cross. The stone was then sprinkled, and the Bishop taking in his hand a knife, marked

14

it upon the top, sides and underneath with the sign of the cross, repeating in Latin after each mark "In the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen". Other prayers followed after which a sealed bottle,
containing a copy of one of the weekly journals of the day, together with some silver coin, was placed in the
cavity of the foundation stone. The mortar was then spread, and the corner-stone lowered into its position, when
the Bishop taking the mallet struck it thrice upon the top, and afterwards sprinkled it with holy water. A
procession of the clergy and torch-bearers was then formed and, headed by the Bishop, they proceeded around
the walls of the church, the Bishop sprinkling the holy water at intervals, and various appropriate psalms being
repeated. Having returned to the platform a hymn was sung and on its conclusion the following prayer was
offered up - "Let thy Holy Spirit, we beseech thee Lord, descend upon this house which is to be built, that he may
therein sanctify both our gifts and those of thy people, and volunteer to purify the hearts of the same, through
Christ Our Lord, Amen".

We had almost forgotten to to mention that Captain Anderton's excellent private reed band was in attendance,
and executed, under the able leadership of Mr W Hull, the following pieces, at intervals, in a very creditable
manner:- "Stabat Matar", Rossini; Hymn, Faith of Our Fathers; and the "Hallelujah Chorus", Handel.

The proceedings having terminated the vast assemblage left the ground, apparently highly interested in the
ceremony which had taken place, and which was in no slight degree marred by the inclemency of the weather.

The Church Opening – 29th October 1865

The following is an extract of the report published in the "Chorley Standard" dated 4th November 1865:
OPENING OF A NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH AT EUXTON

A new Catholic Church, dedicated to St Mary, was opened at Euxton on Sunday last. The foundation stone of the
new building was laid on the 28th August last year by Dr Goss, Bishop of Liverpool, and consequently the present
handsome superstructure has been raised in about 14 months.

The church is built of the red sandstone from a quarry of Captain Anderton’s, in Euxton, with dressings of
millstone grit, from Whittle.

The masonry, &c, has been executed by Messrs. Catterall and Isherwood of Chorley; carpenter’s and joiner’s
work, Mr. William Jackman, Euxton, through his foreman, Mr John Ashcroft; plastering, painting, plumbing and
glazing, Mr. John Heyes, Euxton; slating, Messrs. W. and T. Fairclough, Euxton; smith’s work, Mr. Richard Alker,
Euxton; and Mr. T. Hudson, of Chorley, executed the bricklaying of the presbytery, which is faced with stone.

There was pontifical high mass on Sunday morning, the Very Rev. Canon Fisher D.D. being the celebrant. The
congregations were large considering the very wet and stormy state of the weather, added to the high price
charged for admission. About eleven o’clock, a procession of the clergy and others, headed by a large brazen
cross, emerged from the vestry in the following order: the Rev. G. O’Reilly, of Wigan, master of ceremonies; the
Right Rev. Thomas Grant, D.D., Lord Bishop of Southwark, with his chaplain, the Rev. T. Walker, of Brownedge;
the Very Rev. Canon O’Reilly, of Liverpool, subdeacon of the mass; the Very Rev. Canon Wallwork, deacon of the
mass; the Very Rev. Canon Fisher, D.D. of St. Edwards College, Liverpool, celebrant; the Right Rev. Alexander
Goss, D.D., Lord Bishop of Liverpool, with the two deacons of the throne, the Very Rev. Canon Greenhalgh, of
Weldbank, and the Very Rev. Canon Toole, of Hulme, Manchester. The procession moved slowly along the north
aisle, and back along the middle aisle to the altar, a thurifer meanwhile incensing the church. A full and effective
choir was in attendance, with organ and band accompaniments. Eight members of Captain Anderton’s reed band
were present, under the leadership of Mr. William Hull. There were also vocalists from Preston, Brownedge and
Wigan. The programme of music comprised Haydn’s Mass, No. 1, with the exception of Sanctus and Benedictus,
which were by Mazzinghi. Mr. Robinson of Preston, gave the solo Ecce Deus. The Music concluded with Haydn’s
No. 1 Gloria. Mr. James Ball, of Chorley, presided ably at the organ, and Mr. John Walker, of Brownedge, was the
general conductor.

The Right Reverend Alexander Goss, D.D., Lord Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Liverpool, preached the sermon.

After some further remarks, he concluded by asking for a good collection.

In the afternoon the Right Rev. Thomas Grant, D.D., Bishop of Southwark, preached the sermon. In addition to
the clergy present in the morning were the Revs. Mr. Smith, Brindle; Dowding, Clayton; Molloy and O’Meara,
Chorley; and Doherty, South Hill.

The following music was used in the afternoon:- Lauda Jerusalem, Dr. Crookhall; O Salutaris, Dr. Newsham;
Litany, Dr. Newsham; Tantum Ergo, Rev. T. White; Dona nobis, Haydn’s No.1.

During the day Captain Anderton entertained a distinguished company at Euxton Hall. Amongst them, in addition
to the two bishops and the clergy, there were T.T. Parker, Esq, J.P.; J. Blundell, Esq., J.P.; F. Gerrard and lady,
Aspull Moor; T. Dicconson, Esq., Wrightington Hall; and J. C. Crook, Esq., Chorley.

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The Changing Face of the Sanctuary

As described in the previous section, the look of the Sanctuary has changed over the years: there are no known
surviving pictures of the original “1865 Sanctuary”, but we are able to follow the other major changes with the
following photos:

The interior of the
church pictured
about 1910:
The Anderton
Chapel complete
with its gothic
screen is seen on
the left; the altar
and reredos are
those installed in
1887/1888; the
altar rails have
wrought-iron
inserts. Note that
the windows
overlooking the
Sanctuary are
plain glass, the
stained glass only
being installed in
1925/26.

Right: A closer look at the original wrought iron altar rail
following its donation to St Catherine’s, Farington.
The rail is no longer in place at St Catherine’s.

The interior of the church pictured in the 1940s
following the installation of the oak reredos, altar rails
and oak pulpit. Note that the gothic canopy above the
tabernacle is still in place.

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The interior of the church pictured following the removal of the gothic canopy above the tabernacle and
simplification of the reredos.

The interior of the church pictured following
the major re-ordering of 1991. The altar
has been moved forward into the
Sanctuary; the altar rails have been
removed and marble altar steps installed.
The reredos has been re-modelled with the
two miracle scenes being continued into the
central panel with the tabernacle and
"triptych" doors also redecorated. The
crucifixion rood and a new sanctuary lamp
have been installed as has the modern
lectern. The stained glass windows of
1925/26 can also be seen, as can the 1942
Sanctuary mural.

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The Stained Glass

All of the stained glass in the church dates from 1925-26, and was installed to commemorate the Diamond
Jubilee of St Mary’s.

The nine stained glass windows in the Sanctuary commemorate the nine parishioners who died in the conflict of
the First World War. The two other windows commemorate William Anderton (who died in 1926) and were
donated by his Memorial Committee.

(Left) In the west porch (which was the private entrance to the Anderton Chapel) the
stained glass window depicts Euxton Hall. The inscription basically says that during the
Penal Times until the building of the chapel in 1817, Mass was said in Euxton Hall.

(Right) In the east porch (the main entrance) the stained glass window depicts "The
Dowry of England" showing the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus enthroned on
England.

The Baptistery stained glass windows depict St
John the Baptist and St Thomas the Apostle
and also commemorate Father Thomas Keeley
and Canon John Worthy.

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In the sacristy are windows depicting Jesus Christ at the Last Supper; and Fr Keeley distributing Holy
Communion.
The depiction of Fr Keeley is clearly set in the Church (the altar can be recognised) and provides the best
impression we have of what the Sanctuary looked like in the time before any photographs exist.
It would be very interesting to know if the communicants were modelled on actual parishioners – and, if so, who
they were!

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The westernmost At the east end of
window of the the south aisle is
North aisle the "Good
Shepherd"
contains a stained window, depicting
glass depiction of Christ, the Good
Shepherd, with
Blessed Robert the Red Rose of
Anderton who was Lancashire and a
building
martyred on the resembling
Isle of Wight in Rivington Pike
1586. tower above him.

The windows in south transept of the church (originally designated as the Anderton Chapel)
commemorate the Anderton family as long-term benefactors of Catholicism in Euxton, one depicting the
Coronation of the Virgin, the other (pictured above right) depicting St William of Cellone and St Winifred
– possibly a memorial to William and Ida Winifred Anderton.

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The six lancet windows at the back of the nave contain the coats-of-arms of four Popes and two Bishops of
Liverpool, including Bishop Alexander Goss, the 2nd Bishop of Liverpool who consecrated St Mary's.

Above the choir gallery are two windows depicting Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary entering an area
where people of all nations are gathered.
Note: The “Virgin Mary window” (pictured right) is partially obscured by the organ!

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Euxton Hall Chapel

As has been described, it is believed that a Catholic Chapel at Euxton Hall has existed from the earliest days of
the persecution in Elizabethan times - originally as a single small room in the Hall, to enable concealment of the
celebration of the holy mass and sacraments. Following this, the Chapel became open to the public in 1718 and
then a new Chapel was established by Rev. Thomas Anderton in 1735. This Chapel was, in turn, replaced in 1817
with the construction of a new Chapel adjoining the Hall. Following the opening of the new church, the 1817
Chapel was demolished and was replaced by the current Chapel, which was built by William Ince Anderton and
his wife Lady Emma in 1866. Although it was designated as the private family chapel, weekly Masses open to the
public took place regularly in the Chapel up to, and including, the time of Sir Stanley and Lady Bell’s ownership of
Euxton Hall.
The Chapel, designed by E.W. Pugin and built in Gothic style, was opened on 15th August 1866 – unfortunately
Lady Emma died two months later on 14th October and was buried in the Anderton family crypt in St Mary’s
church. In memoriam to Lady Emma the beautiful stained glass window that is the main feature of the Chapel
was commissioned and installed – it depicts Lady Emma kneeling at prayer.

In 1927 Euxton Hall (including the Chapel) was sold to Mr Peter Reid and from that time the Chapel was used
mainly as a food store.

In 1950 Sir Stanley Bell became the new owner and, together with his wife Lady Margaret, they restored the
Chapel to its former glory, including returning the “Lady Emma” stained glass window to the Chapel from
Liverpool Cathedral where it had been stored.
The Chorley Guardian of 6th June 1959 reported:
“Sir Stanley and Lady Bell of Euxton Hall were responsible for a historic occasion at 8:00 am on Tuesday when
they invited members of their family and older villagers to be present at the first Mass to be said in Euxton Hall
Chapel since 1926.

Since taking up residence in 1950 Sir Stanley and Lady Bell have superintended the re-decoration of the Chapel
which was built in 1866 but fell into disuse following the death of Col. William Michael Ince Anderton. Before his
death in 1926, Masses had been said regularly every Tuesday and Thursday mornings….

The chapel has plain, cream painted walls, with the original roof timbers standing out in blue paint. Of special
interest is the stained-glass memorial window dated October 14 1866, to Lady Emma Anderton…… During the
years of the redecoration, Dean W. P. Skehan parish priest of St Mary’s, Euxton, who was the celebrant of
Tuesday’s Mass, successfully applied to the authorities of the Archdiocese of Liverpool for the return of the
window to Euxton.”

The following is a personal reminiscence of Mrs Hope, the wife of the Vicar of Euxton at the time of Lady
Margaret Bell’s death in 1978:
“When Sir Stanley Bell bought Euxton Hall the Chapel needed a lot of restoration….. Lady Bell was a devout
Roman Catholic and renovated the Chapel which she loved. It was carpeted in blue, several oak chairs and a
lovely little altar with a blue frontal, a small silver cross and silver candlesticks. Mass was said weekly in the
Chapel by the Roman Catholic priest of St Mary’s and attended by a few parishioners.

After Lady Bell’s death the Hall was sold by her daughter, Margaret. The week before she left my husband (the
Rev William Hope, then Vicar of Euxton), myself and two local friends (Colonel & Mrs Thatcher) were invited to a
Special Mass along with Margaret and her two daughters. It was a lovely summer evening and Mass was said by
Father Hitchen (an ex-Chorley man). Lovely white flowers decorated the Chapel.

After the Mass the Priest began to take down the Stations of the Cross from the walls, with prayers – he then
folded up the altar linen and removed the silver and the altar frontal, all with prayers. He then de-sanctified the
building as a Chapel. It was a most touching experience.”

Although this personal reminiscence is un-dated, it is known that Euxton Hall was bought by a private hospital
company in 1982 and the Chapel was de-consecrated on 24th July, the altar stone, relics and contents being
removed to St Mary’s by Fr Cadogan.

The Chapel remained unused until being purchased by the current owner in 2004 and undergoing a complete
renovation, returning the Chapel to its original glory, albeit as a private residence.

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Fr Cadogan pictured with the Altar Stone and
Relics on their removal from Euxton Hall Chapel.

Also pictured are Mrs Kathleen McHugh and
directors of Euxton Hall Hospital.

The “Lady Emma window”

The Chapel interior circa 1910

The Chapel today

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The Cemetery

The cemetery was opened at the same time as the church, and has seen around 1500 interments in the
intervening years. The land for the original Cemetery area was donated by George Garstang, with additional land
being acquired from the Anderton family in 1916 to facilitate an extension. Three members of the Anderton
family are interred in the Family Vault under the church (Sir William Anderton and his wife Emma, and their son
Francis – the last of the Andertons). Interestingly, the eldest son of Sir William and Emma (William Alphonsus
Anderton) is buried in the cemetery rather than the Family Vault, along with his wife Winifred Ida – it isn’t known
why he was excluded from the Family Vault!

Other notable interments in the cemetery are:
Sir Stanley and Lady Margaret Bell – the last residents at Euxton Hall

Canon Worthy, Fr Keeley and Fr Crowley – former parish priests

Fr Gerard Roscoe

Mary Louise Clitheroe, William Cornwell and Francis Parkinson - war dead

George Garstang – who donated the land for the church and cemetery

Jeremiah Cornwell – the original publican of The Plough (aka “Jerry’s”)

Others of the parish war dead who are not buried in the cemetery but who are commemorated on family
headstones are:
Harry Bannister, John Briers, Peter Robert Gornall and Peter Parkinson.

The Burial Register proper dates from the opening of Cemetery in 1865 - prior to this, a record of deaths of
Parishioners appears to have been maintained for certain periods. From these records it can be seen that, in the
main, parishioners who died before 1865 were interred in the Parish Church cemetery, although some burials
took place at St Gregory’s, Weldbank and also at Leyland. The Parish Church Registers identify 166 Catholic (or
Papist) interments up to 1865, although it is clear by matching names from the early St Mary's baptismal
registers that many other Catholics were interred at the Parish Church.

The cemetery has always operated on the principle of allocated burial plots (in other words there are no
“pauper’s graves”) although up until the time of the Second World War the majority of infants burials took place
in “Infant Graves” which were situated round the outer edges of the cemetery area: this makes it very difficult to
pinpoint exactly where an infant’s last resting place is.

A Columbarium for the interment of cremated remains was created during Fr Crowley’s time, with the first
interment taking place in 1997.

The Cemetery is, and always has been, maintained by parish volunteers, and is very well kept. It is unfortunate
that many of the oldest memorial headstones were removed on safety grounds in the 1970s (although a number
still remain), whilst more recently the parish spent a considerable sum to make safe a large number of potentially
dangerous memorials and remove kerbstones to make maintenance easier. It is hoped that all headstones can be
preserved in the future to provide the lasting memorial that families would have wanted.

The grave of Canon Worthy The grave of George Garstang
and Fr Keeley inscribed

“First Benefactor of this church”

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The Catholic Clergy of Euxton

Rev Thomas Towneley c1718 – 1733
Rev William (Viscount) Molyneux c1730
Rev Cuthbert Haydock 1733 – 1740
Rev John White 1740 – 1778
Rev Robert Swarbrick 1778 – 1815
Rev John Bell 1815 – 1817
Rev John Briggs 1815 – 1817
Rev Joseph Higginson 1817 – 1845
Rev Richard Gillow 1846 – 1851
Very Rev John Worthy 1851 – 1893
Rev Francis Soden 1893 – 1895
Rev Thomas Keeley 1895 – 1939
Very Rev Canon Walter Skehan 1939 – 1959
Rev Thomas Ames 1959 – 1977
Rev Daniel Cadogan 1977 – 1997
Rev Christopher Crowley 1997 – 2003
Rev Michael McCormick 2003 – 2005
Rev Deacon Gerard Fishwick 2006 -
Rev Gerry McCusker 2006 -

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Rev Thomas Towneley (b1669 - d1737) St Mary’s c1718 – 1733

Thomas Towneley was born on 22nd January 1669, the seventh son of Richard Towneley and Margaret Paston, of

Towneley Hall, Burnley, Thomas was educated at Douai 1689 (taking the College Oath on 4th October 1689),

Paris 1690 and St Maglane in 1694. His appointments after his ordination are not known, but he was serving at

Euxton Hall by 1725. He died on 4th March 1737.

Rev William (Viscount) Molyneux (b1685 - d1759) St Mary’s c1730

The Rev William was born on 30th January 1685, the third son of William Molyneux (the 4th Viscount Molyneux)

and Bridget Lucy. In 1704 he renounced his rights to the family estates and entered the Society of Jesus.

Eighteen years later he was enrolled among the Professed Fathers of the Order. On 1st August 1728 he was

declared Rector of the College of St Aloysius and held that office until 1734. Around this time the Rev William

spent some time, and officiated, at Euxton Hall, where his brother-in-law was the then squire of Euxton. From
1734 until his death he served the mission of Scholes, near Prescot. In 1745, however, he became the 7th

Viscount Molyneux following the death of both of his elder brothers - being in charge of the mission at Scholes he

resigned all his estates to his younger brother Thomas, the reason put forward being that he was 'old and had no
intention to marry.' The Rev William was the last Catholic Viscount Molyneux, and he died on 30th March 1759

at Scholes, his remains being laid to rest in the family vault at Sefton.

Rev Cuthbert Haydock (b1684 - d1763) St Mary’s 1733 – 1740

The son of William and Jane Haydock (who was the daughter of Hugh Anderton of Euxton Hall) and one of 8

brothers and sisters, Cuthbert Haydock took the Oath at Douai College on December 27th 1703. He was ordained

priest and sent to England on March 26th 1714 and was at first stationed at Mawdesley, living for a time at Lane

Ends House, Mawdesley, at the home of his sister Mary (by then married to Thomas Finche) where he celebrated

Mass in the secret Chapel. He was the cousin of William Anderton of Euxton Hall and served the Euxton mission

in succession to the Rev Thomas Towneley until 1740 at which time he was appointed Chaplain to the Duke of

Norfolk at Worksop Manor, Nottinghamshire. Fr Haydock made his will at Worksop in 1762 and died on January

11th 1763, aged 78.

Rev John White (b1711 - d1778) St Mary’s 1740 – 1778

Fr White served as St Mary's priest in the period 1740 -1778 and was the first of the permanent clergy of the

Parish. Civil records (dating from 1762 - 1768) also refer to John White as being William Anderton's Bailiff who

looked after Euxton Hall and Fr White's will (dated 1777) nominated "my worthy friend William Anderton of Ince"

as his sole Legatee.

Fr White was educated in Rome and died at Pontop Hall, Durham in 1778, his obituary also describing him as
Joannes White (alias Leckonby). This might well give a clue as to Fr White's antecedents, as well as an insight to
the close-knit nature of the English Catholic world at that time: two of the old-established Catholic families of the
Fylde were the Leckonby's and the White's living in/around Great Eccleston - the Leckonby's had family
connections at the time with the Anderton family - a Fr Thomas Leckonby served as the priest at Pontop Hall
from 1748 to 1778..... it was common practice in those troubled times for priests to take an alias for safety,
often their mother's maiden name, and so it could be assumed that Fr White (als Leckonby) had a family
connection with Fr Thomas Leckonby, given that Fr White is recorded as dying at Pontop Hall where Fr Leckonby
was the serving priest, and that his own ancestry was lodged in the Fylde.

Rev Robert Swarbrick (b1747 - d1815) St Mary’s 1778 – 1815

Fr Swarbrick was the son of John and Mary Swarbrick of Weeton, and was born on 8th January 1747 - John and

Mary (nee Roe) were married on 20th August 1738. Robert Swarbrick entered Douai College on 2nd November

1762 and, whilst ill-health caused him to have to leave the College twice, he was ordained priest in 1774, being

retained at the College as a professor. On the 30th June 1777 he was sent to St Omer's College to teach, but was

appointed to succeed the Rev White at Euxton Hall on 7th February 1778. Hitherto the Chaplains had lived in the

Hall, but the Rev Swarbrick erected an independent priest's house where he resided until his death in May 1815.

Rev John Bell (b1767 - d1854) St Mary’s 1815 – 1817

The parish was served by a number of priests in the period 1815 to 1817, among these was Fr John Bell.

Certainty of information on Fr Bell is rather difficult to establish, but it is likely that he was born at Snaith in

Yorkshire in 1767, the son of Luke and Jane Bell. He trained at Douai but left as a second year student in April

1793 due to impact of the war between England and France - following which he became tutor to the sons of

John Silvertop at Minster Acres in Northumberland until Crook Hall (forerunner of Ushaw College) came into

being, and there he received his minor orders and subdiaconate on 20 December 1794, his diaconate two days

later and his priesthood the day after that.

As a newly-ordained priest he served on the Crook Hall College Staff as Professor of Rhetoric and Poetry besides
acting as Prefect General, from his ordination, through the transfer of the establishment to Ushaw in 1808, until

28

1817. During this period he also served the Catholic Mission at Northop Hall, Durham, from 1803 to 1806. St
Mary's parish registers establish that Fr Bell served at Euxton during the period 1815 to 1817, and from Euxton
his next appointment was as the first Secular rector of St Mary's, Samlesbury from 1818 to 1828. He left
Samlesbury in April 1828, moving to Kippax Park, Yorkshire. He ultimately retired to Selby where he died on 31st
May 1854 aged 87.

Rev John Briggs (b1789 - d1861) St Mary’s 1815 – 1817

The parish was served by a number of priests in the period 1815 to 1817, among these

was Fr John Briggs. Fr Briggs was born at Barton Moss on 29th May 1789 and was

educated at Ushaw 1809 to 1814, being ordained on 19th July 1814. He served at

Chester until 1832, before returning to Ushaw as its 4th President. In 1836 he became

Vicar Apostolic for the Northern Region, residing in York, and when the Hierarchy was

restored he became Bishop of Beverley in 1850. He retired due to ill-health in 1860 and

died on 4th January 1861. He is buried at St. Leonard's Chapel, Hazlewood, nr Tadcaster.

Rev Joseph Higginson (b1761 - d1846) St Mary’s 1817 – 1845

Fr Higginson served as St Mary's priest in the period 1817 -1845 and clearly enjoyed the patronage of the

Anderton family - civil records show that William Anderton provided a house and land in Ince to Fr Higginson in

1790: this may well have been Fr Higginson's first appointment following his ordination. The Anderton family

moved from Ince Hall and made Euxton Hall their primary residence in 1817, with the chapel at Ince Hall closing

in 1818, so it seems probable that Fr Higginson moved with the Anderton family at this time. Col Anderton was

the primary mourner at Fr Higginson’s funeral at St Gregory’s, Weldbank in March 1846 – Fr Higginson’s remains

were laid to rest in the vault beneath the high altar at St Gregory’s.

Rev Richard Gillow (b1794 - d1867) St Mary’s 1846 – 1851

Fr Gillow was born at Newton-cum-Scales on the Fylde on 18th July 1794, the eldest son of George Gillow and

Jane Crookall. At the age of 12 he went to the Rev Ralph Platt's school at Puddington in Cheshire, and proceeded

to Ushaw in 1812. He and his younger brother Henry went to the English College in Rome in 1819, and both were

ordained priests in St John Lateran by Archbishop Frattini on the 16th June 1821. Richard soon found himself as

Vice-Rector of the College - a post he held until the autumn of 1825. From there he returned to Ushaw as

professor and, for some time, Prefect of Studies.

In 1837 he took charge of the mission in Puddington, 27 years after leaving the Rev Platt's school there. Early in
1846 he was transferred to the mission at Euxton and from here he moved on to St Mary's, Chorley in 1851. He
spent 4 years in Chorley, being appointed Canon during this time, before being removed to Newhouse Chapel,
Newsham in 1855 where he stayed until his death on 3rd November 1867. He was a Priest of great energy and
vision, a very learned man, one of the editors of the Catholic Magazine and was closely engaged in
correspondence with, and arising from, the Oxford Movement.

Very Rev John Worthy (b1815 - d1893) St Mary’s 1851 – 1893

John Worthy was born at Halifax, Nova Scotia on November 7th 1815. His father was

William H Worthy of Devonshire and Yorkshire. His mother, Elizabeth Blundell, was

the eldest daughter of John Blundell of Preston and Carside, and of Catherine Crook

of Chorley. Canon Worthy was a cousin of the Right Rev, Dr. O'Reilly, Bishop of

Liverpool.

John Worthy left Halifax in June 1822 and proceeded to Navan, Ireland, where he
lived until 1825, when he was sent to Sedgeley Park School. From there, he went to
St Cuthbert's College, Ushaw, in 1828 where he pursued his theological studies, and
for some time filled the post of Prefect of Studies. He was ordained on 25th July 1840
by Bishop Briggs (formerly priest at St Mary's!) and remained a professor at Ushaw
for the next three years.

He was appointed as curate to Towneley Chapel in 1845 was started the task of
building the new St Mary's church which opened in 1849. His first Mission was at St
Chad's, Cheetham Hill, Manchester and he started St Chad's new church, which was
consecrated in August 1847. He next moved to St Nicholas church in Liverpool and
built a new infant school for that mission. He then jointly (with Father Nugent)
established the Catholic Middle School in Rodney Street, from which sprang the Catholic Institute in Hope Street.

29

Canon Worthy then moved to St Mary's, Euxton in 1851, where he remained until his death in 1893. At St
Mary's, Canon Worthy was the driving force behind the erection of the church and old primary school in 1865 and
subsequent improvements and school extensions in 1888. He took a great interest in the education and
preparation of young men for the priesthood and he was instrumental in the training and ordination of fourteen
such. When the Bishop undertook the erection of St Joseph's College, Upholland, the arrangements relating to
the laying out of the grounds and other business were placed in Canon Worthy's hands. The last twelve months
before his death saw the Canon's health begin to give way.

Canon Worthy died on 8th May 1893 and he was buried in the churchyard on 10th May 1893. He is
commemorated as "1st Rector and Builder" on a stained-glass window in the north transept.

The following biography is taken from "Old Country Churches and Chapels" by A. Hewitson, published in 1872.
"Fr Worthy is a very worthy gentleman. He has a weird, energetic, go-on-and-never-stop sort of look; is quick in
head, eye, and foot; is tall, wears hats that go well upon his head; has a determined, serious matter-of-fact look;
is vigilant, earnest, methodical, and up to everything almost; understands architecture, theology, stone-getting,
logic, plan-making, preaching, and we can't tell what besides; was to a considerable extent the designer of the
church he is at; kept a superintending eye upon the men who got the stones for it, and the those who set them;
and is a most industrious and practical gentleman."

In the last six years of Canon Worthy’s life failing health caused him to request assistance, and during this time
the parish was served by two assistant priests: Fr James Birchall from 1887 to 1890; and Fr Joseph Parker
from 1890 to 1893 - Canon Worthy presided at only 22 of the 105 Baptisms during this time! These are the only
assistant priests recorded to have served at St. Mary’s.

Rev Francis Soden (b1842 - d1906) St Mary’s 1893 – 1895

Francis Joseph Soden was born in Drumrath, Co Sligo on 2n May 1840, the son of Francis and Mary (nee

O’Beiran). He was educated at All Hallows College, Drumcondra and was ordained there on June 24th 1865.

Fr Soden served at a long list of parishes in the Diocese – firstly at St Augustine’s, Preston to 1868, followed by
St Patrick’s, Liverpool to 1870; St Patrick’s, Wigan to 1877; All Saints, Golborne to 1878; Sacred Heart, Chorley
to 1893; and then at St Mary’s, Euxton to 1895. Following his time at Euxton, he served at Ss Peter and Paul,
Mawdesley to 1897; St Patrick’s, Wigan to 1899; again to Ss Peter and Paul, Mawdesley to 1900; then to Holy
Family, Southport to 1902; and to Sacred Heart, Ainsdale to 1904. He became priest in charge of St Joseph's
Mission, Withnell in September 1904 where he stayed until his death. He had been in a poor state of health for
some time prior to his death, aged 64, on June 24th 1906 - the 41st anniversary of his ordination. He was buried
at St Chad's, Whittle on June 27th 1906.

Rev Thomas Keeley (b1862 - d1939) St Mary’s 1895 – 1939

Thomas Keeley was born in Warrington on 1st July 1862, the son of Edward and

Anastasia (nee Delaney). He began his studies for the priesthood at St Edward's

College in 1875, and was one of the first company to proceed from there to the

newly-founded Seminary of St Joseph, Upholland in 1883. He was ordained on June

19th 1886 and appointed to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Liverpool. In 1893 he

became Rector of Ss Thomas and Elizabeth, Thurnham, and finally, in 1895, of St

Mary's where he spent the remainder of his long and priestly life. He died on April 3rd

1939 and was buried in the churchyard 2 days later in the same grave as Canon

Worthy. He is commemorated as "1st Parish Priest" on a stained-glass window in the

north transept.

The following is an extract from Fr Keeley's Obituary in the Chorley Guardian, April
8th 1939:
"The Rev Thomas Keeley came to Euxton 43 years ago in the spacious, more leisurely
days of the Squire and Hall when the Anderton Chapel was in regular use and Euxton
was remote from the busy world. He lived to see the day when, as he himself said, it was an adventure to cross
the road at his gate because of the traffic, and when the greatest munition works in the country was to spring up
mushroom-like on the fringe of his Parish. In a changing world he himself did not alter. In character he was
reserved - not through lack of friendliness but through shyness. There was nothing petty in his make-up, but
rather generosity and kindness in thought, word and act.

For the Church at Euxton he had a sincere love. The stained glass was his special joy. He supervised its design
and insertion and in the opinion of experts there was none finer in the kingdom. One of the windows was to be a
memorial to himself, but this was not to be known until his death. To his parishioners he was a true spiritual
father. He led his flock gently but firmly, by quiet exhortation and steady example. In return he received
unstinted affection and respect, which were strongly manifest at the jubilee celebration of his priesthood three
years ago."

30











Fr William Bernard Smith (1863 – 1894)
Fr William Smith was one of 8 children of Thomas and Jane Smith (nee Catterall) and was born on 10th July
1863, being baptised at Euxton Hall Chapel on the 11th July 1863 by Fr John Worthy. William Bernard was one of
four brothers, all baptised in the Parish, who were called to the Priesthood – albeit the Smith family moved to live
in Lancaster before 1871. In addition to the four brothers who were ordained, a fifth brother died during his
training at Ushaw College and 2 sisters entered the religious life as nuns.

Fr Smith attended St Edwards College, Liverpool and St Joseph’s College, Upholland and was ordained to the
priesthood on 15th June 1889 by Bishop O’Reilly. Following his ordination Fr Smith’s returned to St Edward’s
College as Professor of Mathematics. In 1893 Fr Smith was appointed as assistant priest at St Joseph’s,
Liverpool and stayed there until his death, at the age of 31, on 21st November 1894 – his death was as a result
of typhoid fever that he contracted whilst on a sick call. Fr Smith was buried at Ford Cemetery, Liverpool on 23rd
November following a Requiem Mass at St Joseph’s – mourners at the Requiem included Fr Smith’s mother and
three of his brothers and also the Revds Welsby, Wilcock and Walmsley – his fellow priests hailing from Euxton.

Fr John Aloysius Smith (1865 – 1933)

Fr John Aloysius Smith was one of 8 children of Thomas and Jane Smith (nee
Catterall) and was born on 3rd September 1865, being baptised at Euxton Hall
Chapel on the same day by Fr John Worthy. John Aloysius was one of four
brothers, all baptised in the Parish, who were called to the Priesthood – albeit the
Smith family moved to live in Lancaster before 1871. In addition to the four
brothers who were ordained, a fifth brother died during his training at Ushaw
College and 2 sisters entered the religious life as nuns. John Aloysius Smith is
notable in that he was the last child to be baptised at Euxton Hall Chapel prior to
the opening of the church in 1865.

Fr Smith attended St Edwards College, Liverpool and St Joseph’s College,
Upholland, and was ordained to the priesthood on 23rd May 1891. Following his
ordination Fr Smith served as curate at St Anthony’s, Liverpool from 1891 to 1904.
Fr Smith then served as the Parish Priest at Our Lady Immaculate, Bryn from 1904
to 1930. In 1930, Fr Smith became the Parish Priest at St Joseph’s, Wrightington.
Fr Smith had been suffering from a serious complaint for a considerable time but
died suddenly from a heart attack he suffered shortly after celebrating Mass on Sunday 5th November 1933.

Canon John Wilcock (1881 – 1965)
John Wilcock was one of 6 children of William and Mary Wilcock (nee Wells) and
was born on 15th November 1881, being baptised at St Mary’s on the 16th
November 1881 by Fr John Worthy. John Wilcock attended St Edward’s College
and St Joseph’s College, Upholland.

He was ordained on 10th June 1911 and then studied Classics at St Edmund’s
House, Cambridge until 1915 when he returned to St Edward’s College as a
Professor and stayed there until 1920 when he moved to the senior seminary at
Upholland, where he became headmaster.

In 1924 Fr Wilcock received his first parish appointment as curate at St Marie’s,
Southport where he stayed until 1927 when he moved to become the parish priest
at St Elizabeth of Hungary, Litherland. He was appointed a Canon in 1956. Canon
Wilcock remained in his post at Litherland until his death on 25th September 1965.

Fr Gerard Roscoe (1922 – 1977)
Fr Roscoe was the only son of William and Mary Roscoe (nee Clitheroe) and was
born in Euxton on 2nd August 1922, being baptised at St Mary's by Fr Thomas
Keeley on 6th August 1922. His was a long-established Euxton family - his family
antecedents (both paternal and maternal) can be traced back though the Parish
Registers to the 18th Century.

Fr Roscoe was educated at St Mary’s and at Preston Catholic College. After a short
spell of employment at the ROF he was called-up to the Royal Air Force, and on
demobilisation he entered St Joseph’s College at Upholland. Fr Roscoe was
ordained to the priesthood at St Mary's on 8th June 1952 by Archbishop Downey.
He served 9 years at St Oswald’s, Ashton-in-Makerfield; 9 years at St
Christopher’s, Speke; and seven years at Holy Rosary, Aintree – he had been
appointed as parish priest at St Mary’s, Kirkby shortly before his death.

36

He celebrated his Silver Jubilee at Holy Rosary, Aintree on 8th June 1977, and
collapsed and died only 40 minutes after receiving a presentation from his
parishioners.
It is estimated that over 1000 people attended the service when his body was
received into the church the evening before his requiem, which was attended by
over 200 clergy.
Fr Roscoe was buried in St Mary's Cemetery on 16th June 1977.

Fr Roscoe’s Ordination Day

Fr Kevin Snape (1929 - )
Fr Kevin Snape was one of 2 children of Richard and Clare Snape (nee Westhead)
and was born on 15th January 1929, being baptised at St Mary’s on the 20th
January 1929 by Fr Thomas Keeley. Fr Kevin’s father was, for a number of years,
the organist at St Mary’s and his mother was a long-serving headmistress at the
primary school. The Snape family moved to Chorley in 1939.
Kevin Snape initially attended St Mary’s school, but he moved to Winckley Square
Convent School from the age of 8, followed by Preston Catholic College. He studied
for the priesthood at Upholland College and was ordained there on 4th June 1955,
celebrating his first Mass at St Mary’s, Chorley - 2015 therefore sees Fr Snape’s
Diamond Jubilee!
Fr Snape’s first appointment was at Holy Name, Fazakerley where he spent 2
years, followed by a return to Upholland College in 1957 to teach Mathematics, a
role he carried out until 1978.
In 1978 Fr Snape returned to parish ministry and spent 2 years on an “exchange”
arrangement at parishes in Wales – in Holywell and Ruthin. In 1980 he returned to
the Archdiocese as parish priest at Holy Family, Boothstown where he remained

until ill-health caused him to retire from active ministry in 1995. Fr Snape returned to full ministry in 1998 at Our
Lady, Portico but ill-health returned and he was forced to retire completely two years later.

Kevin Snape pictured with his parents –
the former school headmistress and
church organist respectively.

37

Fr Frank Calderbank (1926 - 2006)
Fr Frank Calderbank was born in Preston on 11th January 1926, the eldest son of
Francis and Alice Calderbank (nee Burns). The Calderbank family had moved to
Woodcock Fold Farm, Euxton by 1929 and had 5 children baptised at St Mary’s.
Frank Calderbank attended St Mary’s school from 1931 to 1937 at which point he
gained a scholarship to Preston Catholic College. Following his education Frank
volunteered for service in the Royal Navy and served in the supplies branch until
the end of the War. After demobilisation he joined the National Coal Board,
qualified as a mine surveyor and worked in many of the South Lancashire pits. He
then spent 6 years studying for the priesthood at the English College, Lisbon
where he was ordained on 23rd May 1964.
In August 1964 he was appointed to Blessed Sacrament, Aintree. In November
1969 he moved to Our Lady of the Assumption, Liverpool, where remained until
February 1973 when he was appointed to St William, Ince. In October 1974 he
moved to St Joseph, Penketh and in August 1980 he became Parish Priest of St
Finbar, Liverpool. In January 1983 he was given the additional responsibility of

Administrator of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Liverpool. His final appointment in February 1990 was as Parish
Priest of St Patrick, Widnes and Administrator of St Marie’s, Widnes, where he remained until his retirement in
1999. Fr Calderbank died on 10th July 2006. His Requiem service took place at St Marie’s, Widnes, and the
following day his funeral service took place at St Oswald’s, Coppull, where he is buried, with Archbishop Kelly
presiding.
In 1947 the Calderbank family moved to Charnock Richard, although they retained their links with Euxton - when
Fr Frank’s mother died her Requiem Mass was celebrated at St Mary’s prior to burial at St Oswald’s, Coppull, and
two of Fr Frank’s sisters still live in Euxton.

Fr Calderbank’s Ordination day at
the English College, Lisbon

Fr Karl Hart (1959 - )

Fr Karl Hart was born in New Zealand on the 1st March 1959, his parents, Anna and
Tony Hart, having emigrated there in 1957. He was baptised in St Joseph's,
Takapuna by Mgr. John Kelly. His secondary education began at Rosmini College,
Takapuna and continued, after the family returned to England in 1972, at the
Catholic College, Preston. The family moved back to the house that Fr. Karl's father
had built in Euxton.

He graduated from the University of Manchester with a degree in Management
Sciences, after which he started work with his father in the family double glazing
business. His involvement in the parish and the Diocesan Youth Service led him
toward a career with the Catholic Social Services (now the Nugent Society) but
after a few years here he began studies for the priesthood at Ushaw College.

38

He was ordained on the 6th July 1991 by Archbishop Derek Worlock at St Mary's, Euxton. His first appointment
was at St Clare's, Sefton Park, Liverpool as assistant priest. He moved from there to St Mary’s, Lowe House in St
Helens. Lowe House was both a parish and the Diocesan Vocations Centre. His position was as assistant priest,
and later was added the role of Vocations Director. In the last year of his time there he was asked to take on the
duties of Parish Priest. Following this appointment he was made Parish Priest of St Agnes', Huyton.
Latterly he has taken time out of the active ministry and now manages a charity supporting the local community
in Huyton.

Fr Hart’s Ordination Service

Fr William Winstanley SJ (1894 – 1969)
Mention should be made of Fr William Winstanley SJ who may be regarded as an
honorary Euxtonian…. his father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all
Euxton men, baptised and buried at St Mary’s. Fr William’s father (John) was a
police officer who rose to the rank of Deputy Chief Constable, he served in Preston
and married his first wife (Elizabeth Walmsley, Fr William’s mother) in Preston in
1893. Fr William’s mother died in Preston in 1930: John Winstanley re-married in
1931 (to Mary Haydock) at St Mary’s and died in 1940, being buried at St Mary’s.
Also buried at St Mary’s (in 1913) was Henry Walmsley, Fr William’s step-brother,
who was living with his family in Euxton at that time. Anniversary Masses were said
for many years at St Mary’s for members of the family, specifically including Fr
William – his Euxton heritage shouldn’t be forgotten because his father’s career
required him to live in Preston during his childhood!
Fr William Winstanley was the only child of John and Elizabeth Winstanley (nee
Walmsley) born in Preston on 31st May 1894 – he attended Preston Catholic College

and entered the Society of Jesus at Roehampton on 7th September 1911. He was ordained at St Bueno’s in St
Asaph on 20th September 1925. He served at Our Lady Immaculate and St Joseph, Prescot in 1927; St Ignatius
College, Stamford Hill from 1928 to 1938; St Joseph’s, Leigh from 1938 to 1945; St Wilfrid’s, Preston from 1945
to 1957; St Michael and St John, Clitheroe from 1957 to 1966; and at St Mary’s, Lowe House, St Helens from
1966 to 1969.
In 1969 Fr Winstanley moved to St Francis Xavier’s College in Liverpool to recuperate following a period of
treatment at Providence Hospital, St Helens following a severe fall. Despite failing health he managed to say
Mass almost every day until 22nd November 1969 when his health deteriorated to the point of requiring his re-
admittance to Providence Hospital where he died peacefully on 29th November 1969. The Requiem was on 3rd
December 1969, Fr A Doyle was chief concelebrant and many priests and religious were present.

39

Blessed Robert Anderton

The Anderton family is among the most important Catholic families in English history. Throughout history the
many branches of the family have seen their sons and daughters take up the religious life.
Among the most noteworthy members of the Anderton family is Blessed Robert Anderton who was martyred for
the faith in 1586.

Robert Anderton was born in 1560 on the Isle of Man. There is some uncertainty regarding his precise
antecedents with different histories providing different origins, but there is no doubt that he was closely related
to the Andertons of Euxton Hall.
Robert was educated at Rivington Grammar School (his name appearing on the first list of scholars of the school
in 1575) before going to Brasenose College, Oxford in 1578, where he met and made friends with William
Marsden. Together they went to Douai to study for the priesthood and entered the college at Rheims on 10th July
1580. He was ordained sub-deacon in 1583 and then deacon and priest by the Cardinal of Guise 31st March 1584.
After his Ordination he spent two years at Douai assisting other students with their studies.
Robert Anderton was moderate in height and had a “manly countenance but had evidently suffered from sickness
when a child…. he had black eyes and a slight beard which would have been brown when fully grown”. He had
proved to be a brilliant scholar, was a skilful debator and an excellent preacher and was selected out of the whole
college to give a sermon before a “noble and learned assembly of churchmen”.

With William Marsden he set out by ship for England on 4th February 1586. In a storm their ship sought shelter
at Cowes, where they were betrayed when they were heard praying for calm weather. They were sent from the
Isle of Wight to the assizes at Winchester where they pleaded that they had not violated the law by landing in
England, since their landing had been involuntary. They defended their faith and the Pope and acknowledged that
they had come to exercise their ministry and reconcile people to God and the Church. This led to their being
taken to London, where they were asked to take the Oath of Supremacy, acknowledging Elizabeth as Supreme
Governor of the Church of England. They acknowledged the queen as their lawful queen in all secular affairs but
refused to swear the Oath. As this was a treasonable offence under the Second Act of Supremacy, they were
condemned to death and then committed to Marshalsea Prison on 11th March 1586.
Having been found guilty of treason for returning to England as priests, they were sent back to the Isle of Wight
for execution in order to warn the people of the penalty for becoming a priest and for giving them assistance. The
declaration of their guilt and the subsequent order for their execution was issued as a royal proclamation, the
only one ever issued for the martyrdom of a priest.

Robert Anderton and William Marsden were hung, drawn and quartered on 25th April 1586 on the Isle of Wight
near the place where they had landed.

Robert Anderton was Venerated on 8th December 1929 and Beatified on 15th December 1929 by Pope Pius XI.

Blessed Robert Anderton is commemorated with a stained-glass window in the church and also by the naming of
the Blessed Robert Anderton Chapel adjoining the church (although this is no longer used for religious services).

Blessed Robert Anderton and Blessed William Marsden are also commemorated on a memorial at St Thomas of
Canterbury Church, Cowes.

The memorial to the Martyrs
at St Thomas of Canterbury,

Cowes

40

The Anderton family of Euxton Hall – Religious Vocations

The Anderton family is first recorded at Euxton in 1489 when Hugh Anderton, who had inherited his mother's
estates in Lancashire from his elder brother in 1485, took a lease of Euxton from the Molyneux family. A new
manor house is said to have been built in the early 16th century, presumably by Hugh’s son James Anderton (d.
1551), but no details of this have survived. James' son, Hugh Anderton (1516-66) was recorded in 1564 as being
unfavourable to the changes in religion, and the family became one of the most diehard adherents of the Catholic
faith. Hugh’s son William Anderton (c.1564-1618) had seven sons, the eldest of whom inherited the estate, with
the rest taking monastic vows on the continent, one as a Franciscan friar and the rest as Benedictine monks. The
heir, Hugh Anderton (1600-70), was able to purchase the freehold of Euxton in 1627, but he was a hot-headed
supporter of the Royalist cause. He was imprisoned and his estates were confiscated and sold during the
Commonwealth years, although with the Restoration of King Charles II in 1660 he recovered his property. The
next owner, William Anderton (1638-1704), was one of the Catholics appointed as a Justice of the Peace by King
James II in 1687; after the overthrow of the king in 1689 he was suspected of complicity in a Jacobite plot and
imprisoned, although released without charge the following year. His son, Hugh Anderton (1673-1721) was less
fortunate: he took up arms in the 1715 Jacobite rebellion, was convicted of treason and outlawed in 1716. His life
interest in the estate was seized by the Crown and auctioned off, but was bought on behalf of his heir by other
members of the family, thereby keeping the estate intact

His son, William Anderton (c.1708-44), rebuilt Euxton Hall on a suprisingly grand scale in 1739, showing that the
disabilities under which Catholic families laboured at the time did not prevent them from accumulating significant
wealth. He died before the second Jacobite rebellion of 1745 and his twin sons were too young to play any part in
it, so the family was saved any further difficulties in the Stuart cause. Their commitment to the Old Faith was far
from extinguished however, and the heir, Francis Anderton (1739-79) became a Benedictine monk at Douai
Abbey and later chaplain at Linley Hall in Shropshire. In 1763 he made the Euxton estate over to his brother
William Anderton (1739-1811), and a few years later William made a valuable marriage with another local
Catholic family, the Inces of Ince Hall at Ince-in-Makerfield. His bride, Frances Sobieski Ince (d. 1816), was heir
to the Ince estate and the couple seem to have lived there in preference to Euxton, even though Euxton was
apparently the newer and grander house. His son, William Ince Anderton (1770-1848), lived long enough to see
the Catholic faith tolerated once more, and was able to resume the roles of JP and military officer from which his
family's faith had debarred his ancestors. He sold Ince Hall in about 1818 and returned to live at Euxton,
rebuilding the new Catholic chapel adjoining the house with the aid of a public subscription.

A number of members of the Anderton family of Euxton Hall were called to a Religious life during the turbulent
years described above:

Children of William & Isabel Anderton of Euxton Hall.
William Anderton (c.1602-72), an English Franciscan friar whose name in religion was William of St. Anthony;
approved for preaching, 1634; died 24th June 1672, aged 70
James Anderton (d. 1645), a Benedictine monk at Douai (professed October 1623); died 27th August 1645
Christopher Anderton (d. 1653), a Benedictine monk at Douai (professed August 1624); died of the plague
11th July 1653
Thomas Anderton (1612-71), baptised 26th September 1612; a Benedictine monk (ordained 1637); prior of
the English Benedictines at Paris, 1640 and 1668-69 and at St Malo, 1661-62; died 9th October 1671
Robert Anderton (d. c.1680); a Benedictine monk (ordained 1639); titular prior of Ely, 1669; denounced by
Titus Oates and retired to the Continent, where he died between June 1678 and 1681
Andrew Anderton (fl. 1618); a Benedictine novice who died before ordination
Eleanor Anderton (d. 1664); a nun; died about 20th September 1664

Children of Hugh & Margaret Anderton of Euxton Hall.
Margaret Anderton (1639-99), born October 1639; a nun at the royal French Benedictine abbey of
Faremoutiers-en-Brie (professed 1657; sub-prioress); died 28th June 1699

Children of William & Mary Anderton of Euxton Hall.
William Anderton (1673-1718), born 20th February 1672/3; a Benedictine monk whose name in religion was
Placid; prior of the English priory in Paris 1713-17; died 4th April 1718
Thomas Anderton (1675-1741), born 22nd May 1675; a secular priest (ordained in Rome, 1702); chaplain at
Towneley Hall (Lancs), 1705-41; archdeacon of Lancashire, 1732-41; died 13th July 1741.

Children of William & Mary Anderton of Euxton Hall.
Francis Anderton (1739-79), born 20th August 1739; became a Benedictine monk at Douai, 1757; later
chaplain to Mr. Lacon of Linley Hall (Salop); died at Linley Hall, 5th July 1779
Anne Anderton (1744-1807), born 13th May 1744; a French Dominican nun at Calais whose name in religion
was Catherine, until the French Revolution; died 30th November 1807

Source: Landed Families of Britain and Ireland - Nick Kingsley 2014

41







Recollections of Parish Life

Given the passage of time and lack of contemporary records, this cannot be claimed to be a comprehensive
history of Parish life over the last 150 years. Hopefully, though, this mix of folklore and photographs along with
personal recollections provides a reasonable picture of life in the parish over time.

It is apparent that (at least in the 1890s) there were regular charity sermons at St Mary’s where visiting priests
would deliver sermons on both Sunday morning and afternoon. The Preston Chronicle records that there were
excellent congregations to hear Fr Walshe from Wigan preach on 13th August 1893 – “the altar was, as usual,
decorated with flowers” and “the musical parts of the service were cordially rendered by the choir, with Miss
Birchall presiding at the organ”. Again, on 12th November 1893 large congregations gathered to hear Fr Cuthbert
from Sefton Monastery, once again “the musical portion of the service was capitally rendered by the choir”. I
somehow don’t think that, 120 years later, there would necessarily be large congregations attending a similar
event should Fr Gerry choose to arrange one!

Pictured below is the St Mary’s Pierrot concert party, probably in the first decade of the 20th Century. Back in
those days rural communities would have had to create their own entertainments and pastimes, and it is clear
that the parishioners of the time fully embraced this!

Parishioners identified are: back row 3rd from left in the top hat, Alex Welsby; centre in the “plant pot” hat, John
Fishwick; standing on the extreme right, Ted Parkinson; second row seated 4th from left, Elizabeth Parkinson;
extreme right, Dick Ralphs; front row kneeling 2nd from left, Ada Parkinson; 3rd from left, Nora Tobin.

In Fr Keeley’s well-thumbed copy of the Decreta (the Decrees of the Church) he made a number of margin
entries that, presumably, formed the basis of his Ministry at St Mary’s and set the tone for the religious life of the
Parish….. among these notes are:
“The priests must do their utmost to prevent Catholic children going to heterodox schools… and…. excite the zeal
of the faithful to assist struggling parents to prevent this misfortune”
“Public Catechism to be given in the Church every Sunday in addition to the daily Catechism in the school”
“The faithful to be prevented from reading anti-Catholic tracts”
“The priest to provide good pious books for the use of the people”
These notes would have been made over 100 years ago in a time when it is apparent that great emphasis was
placed on protecting and buttressing the Faith, understandably so given that it was only 50 years or so since the
Restoration of the Catholic Hierarchy. Whilst it is hard to see there being broad acceptance of these norms today,
they clearly were right for their time, as evidenced in the following extract from Fr Keeley’s obituary:
“In a changing world he himself did not change. He had set himself one object: to be a faithful priest, and as the
years went by his parishioners were witnesses of his zeal for their souls and his personal sanctity... To his
parishioners he was a true spiritual father. He led his flock gently but firmly, by quiet exhortation and steady
example. In return he received unstinted affection and respect….”

45

Views of
St Mary’s parishioners taking part in the
Euxton Walking Day procession circa 1912

46

A view of the church
pictured through “the
plantation” which was
the garden area of St
Mary’s Cottage,
obviously before the
car park was laid!!

The plantation was definitely regarded as “forbidden territory” by the schoolchildren whose access to the school
was along the front of the church – all children were required to doff their caps (or equivalent) to the statue of
Our Lady and parishioner Kathleen McHugh remembers the story being told that her uncle (James Roscoe) was
“sharply admonished” by Fr Keeley for forgetting to do this. This incident would have happened around 100 years
ago - different times indeed!

The nature of Euxton as a village, and therefore also St Mary’s parish life, changed forever in the 1930s with the
building of the Royal Ordnance Factory and then its operational life, with thousands of workers descending on
Euxton from all over the country, many of these being accommodated at Highways Hostel. Added to these
workers were the American troops based at Washington Hall from 1942 to 1945. Canon Skehan was the chaplain
at Highways Hostel and the officiating chaplain at Washington Hall – Mass was celebrated at Highways on
Sundays at 7am, and the US troops attended the 10:30 Mass at church, marching from Washington Hall and
parading outside the church before attending Mass – it was notable that the US troops received Holy Communion
during the 10:30 Mass which was unusual at that time. The effect of the incomers on parish life can be gauged
by the fact that of 24 marriages in the church in 1944/45, 18 involved at least one person from outside the area
– 6 of these being from America. Between 1949 and 1955 there were 21 marriages involving residents at
Highways Hostel. Obviously not all these couples stayed in Euxton, but they certainly added a different aspect to
local life! The US servicemen left a permanent reminder of their time in Euxton when they returned home by

donating a carved oak altar rail
and an oak pulpit to the church.

The wedding of John Eaton
Barrett of Riverside, Illinois and
Cecilia Beardsworth on 9th
September 1944.

47

1949 –
Guild of St Anne outing

The presentation of an illuminated address to Canon Walter Skehan on
6th August 1950 to mark the 25th Anniversary of his Ordination.

Parishioners pictured are: Back row (l to r) John Watkinson, Joe Turner, Joe Kay, Billy Halstead, Jack Hunter, Fr
John Charles Gore (St Mary’s, Chorley), J.C.Pennings, Fr Skehan, Mary Watkinson, Winifred Lakin, Charlotte
Dickinson, Francis Beardsworth. Front row (l to r) Eileen Roscoe, Lizzie Briers, Agnes Elwood, Margaret Tootell,
Frances Taylor
Fr Gore was a close friend of Fr Skehan, both of them having been curates at St Mary’s,
Chorley during the 1930s.
The above photo shows a 10-year-old Margaret Tootell who was the grand-daughter of Joe
Turner (pictured on the back row) - Margaret married Ian Rollins at St Mary’s in 1962 and
still lives in Euxton (pictured right).

48

The original Men’s Club was erected in 1946 on the “plantation” under the auspices of Fr Skehan. A committee of
parishioners were very active in making this happen. The original building was a wooden structure on a brick
base – seating consisted of old Ribble bus seats provided by Charlie Hart (the grandfather of Fr Karl Hart) who
was an Inspector with the bus company! The original membership conditions restricted membership to Catholics
only, but a small number of C of E and Wesleyans were invited to be associate members. In 1953 work started to
build a Social Centre as an extension to the Men’s Club. The Social Centre opened in 1955, with the first event
being the wedding reception of Joseph and Mary Theresa O’Farrell on the 16th of July. Winifred Lakin was the first
stewardess of the Social Centre. When Albert and Mary Derbyshire took over they instituted a Wednesday night
dance that proved to be very popular with teenagers (and also some older parishioners who were keen on
dancing!). Bert and Agnes Elwood ran a Youth Club at that time in the Social Centre.

Members of the Men’s Club pictured before an outing in the early 1950s

Devotion to the Virgin Mary was, perhaps, more fulsome in years gone by. Pictured is the altar arrangement
installed by Canon Skehan during May, when Benediction was also celebrated every evening with a full choir and
organist!

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