|
St Peter’s Catholic Church, Lytham |
|
Parish Priests:
1839-1873 Rev. Joseph Walmsley
1873-1885 Rev. Roger Taylor
1885-1908 Rt. Rev. Mgr Canon John Taylor
1908-1937 Rt. Rev. Mgr Provost John O’Reilly
1937-1954 Very Rev. Canon Martin Duffy
1954-1974 Very Rev. Canon Francis Tootell
1974-1996 Rev. Matthew Hogan
1996- Rev. Francis Flynn |
|
The Sanctuary with the pictures of the saints on either side of the Crucifix (and a very red carpet!) |
|
The view down the church—weddings and funerals were very difficult without a central aisle! |
|
The view down the church today—now with a central aisle. A very peaceful, tranquil place to be. |
|
History of the Parish |
|
Up to the year 1800, the Catholics of Lytham and district attended Mass in the Chapel in Lytham Hall, home of the Clifton family. In this year, the chapel was closed to the public. In its place, a Tythe Barn, just outside the Park, was fitted out as a chapel. The priest serving the Mission was Father Page who moved to a house called “The Woodlands” at the same time. In 1804, the Rev. Thomas Dawson took charge of the Mission, but as he was in poor health, he was assisted by Rev. John Lawson. The number of Catholics attending Mass was around 500. These two priests worked among the Lytham people for 25 years and in 1829 were succeeded by Rev. Joseph Walmsley who later became the first parish priest of St. Peter’s. In July 1838 the first stone of the present church of St. Peter’s was laid. On 1st August 1839, the church was solemnly blessed and opened by the Right Rev. Dr. Briggs, Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District. It had cost £2000 to build. Father Walmsley left The Woodlands and came to reside in a house opposite the church, later moving to a house in St. Peter’s Place (now Station Road). In 1850, Father Arrowsmith was appointed Curate. In the same year, the house next to the church was purchased and in a short time another house was added, enabling the Presbytery to be built. In 1852, St. Peter’s Schools were built and opened. After a long pastorate of over 44 years, Father Walmsley died on 16th December 1873 and Father Roger Taylor was appointed as his successor. In 1874 he enlarged the schools and built the infant school. He then set to work to enlarge and beautify the church. In 1875/6 he built the side chapels, sacristies and confessionals. In 1877 he erected three new altars. The High Altar was generously paid for by the parishioners in memory of the late Father Walmsley. The side altars were the gifts of two generous benefactors. In 1878 the church tower was built at the expense of John Talbot Clifton, and in the same year the present organ, built by Messrs. Ainscough of Preston, was installed. Father Roger Taylor remained at St. Peter’s until his death in September 1885 and he was succeeded by his brother, Canon James Taylor. Canon John Taylor embarked on further improvements to the church, adding the present pictures and Stations of the Cross. In 1890, the parish again benefited from the generosity of Mr. Clifton who gave one and a half acres of land at Saltcotes for a cemetery for St. Peter’s. A chapel was erected in the middle of the cemetery and the solemn consecration took place on 15th May 1892. In August 1894 a peel of six bells were erected in the church tower, one the gift of the parishioners and the rest being offerings by friends of the church. The bells were supplied by Messrs. Mears and Stainbach of London. In October of the same year, 8 stained glass windows, depicting events in the life of St. Peter, were erected as a gift from John and Ellen Singleton of Lytham. In December 1897, the Sanctuary was enlarged from plans by Messrs. Pugin and Pugin the oak paneling added around the Santuary and the church. In 1899, the imposing Lych Gate, from designs by Pugin and Pugin, was erected by Boultons of Cheltenham. In 1909 the new porch was added. In 2002, a complete refurbishment of the interior of the church was undertaken by Fourways of Preston; the interior was reconfigured to provide a central aisle and the redecoration restored the church to its former glory. Pictures of the “before” and “after” effect are shown below. |
|
The old sanctuary with the pictures of the saints on either side of the Crucifix…..and a very red carpet. |
|
The view down the old Church—weddings and funerals were very difficult without a centre aisle! |
|
The view down the Church today—peaceful, tranquil and a wonderful place for quiet prayer and reflection. |
|
Parish Priests:
1839-1873 Rev Joseph Walmsley
1873-1885 Rev Roger Taylor
1885-1908 Rt Rev Mgr Canon John Taylor
1908-1937 Rt Rev Mgr Provost JohnO’Reilly
1937-1954 Very Rev Canon Martin Duffy
1954-1974 Very Rev Canon Francis Tootell
1974-1996 Rev Matthew Hogan
1996- Rev Francis Flynn |