The Tale of Years - 1847-1997

1847
30th November. Bishop Brown officially opens St. Patricks Church with a solemn pontifical high mass.

1848
October. Father James Nugent appointed first parish priest. He later achieved fame as the founder of Catholic social services in the Liverpool archdiocese.

1849
January. Father Hugh McCormick becomes parish priest.

1856
17th March. Fr. McCormick lays foundation stone of first St. Patricks school building.

1863
December. St. Patricks Catholic Young Mens Society formed.

1878
2nd September. Cardinal Manning lays foundation stone of present church.

1880
17th March. Official opening of present church. Old church becomes boys school.

1889
19th March. Thomas Woodcock born in Belvoir Street. He was later to be awarded the Victoria Cross, our countrys' highest award for galantry in war. (See entries for 1917/1918.)

1890
9th August. First combined professions of faith.

1893
22nd May. St. Patricks lead out in first walk to be held on Whit Monday. Extension added to boys school later in year.

1897
7th June. St. Patricks again lead the walks in the year of their Golden Jubilee.

1898
17th March. Golden Jubilee celebrations held on 50th St Patricks day from founding, not on actual date (Nov. 30th 1897). Sacred Heart altar consecrated.

1906
17th March. Our Lady's altar installed and consecrated.

1911
19th November. Present high altar installed and consecrated.

1917
17th October. Thomas Woodcock becomes first Wigan born soldier to win the Victoria Cross.

1918
17th March. Thomas Woodcock given a hero's welcome at St. Patricks.
27th March. Thomas Woodcock is killed in action in France.
(Eternal rest grant unto his soul O Lord.)

1920
24th May. First Whit Walk after 1st World War.

1926
12th May. St. Patricks schoolboys become first ever winners of Daily Despatch Shield.

1927
Old school, built in 1856, pulled down to make way for new girls' school.

1928
5th May. St. Pats soccer team win Universe cup.
6th May. First May crowning at St. Patricks.
2nd December. New girls' school opened on Rupert Street.
5th-10th December. Operatic Society stages "Floradora" at St. John's hall.

1945
13th May. Crownings resume.
21st May. Whit Monday - St. Patricks hold Whit walk of their own round parish.

1947
Centenary celebrations. The church is redecorated.
19th October. Centenary Mass celebrated.

1950
My 29th. Whit Monday - Whit walks resume after 11 year gap.

1952
Mr. McDermott becomes head of boys' school.

1953
Fr. Lappin becomes parish priest.

1956
August. Schools are reorganised. The boys' school becomes a junior mixed school. The girls' school becomes infant mixed school and senior girls. Senior boys now go to St John Fisher.

1961-1965
Liturgical changes from Vatican II resulting in a temporary wooden altar being set up so that mass can be said facing the congregation. The wooden altar was still in place in September 1999 when the reordering of the church commenced.

1966
October. Senior girls move to St. John Fisher school. Girls school building becomes infant department building.

1968
June 3rd, Whit Monday. The last Whit walk.

1971
Old school (1847 church and 1893 addition) demolished. Present junior department building erected.
October. Pupils move into present junior building.

1975
1928 building on Rupert Street found to be unsafe. Infants accommodated at St.Catherines while present infants building erected.

1976
October. Children move into new infants building.

1980
17th March. Celebrations and commemorative mass to mark centenary of opening of present church.

1985
28th February. Father Lappin dies. Succeeded by Father Snape. First Eucharistic Ministers and lay readers.
Mr. John McDermott retires.

1986
Father Sibert becomes Parish Priest.

1995
28th September. Mr. John McDermott dies.

1996
150th Anniversary Committee set up by Fr Sibert. Fr. Sibert leaves for new parish, succeeded by Fr. Aidan McAteer. First altar girls serve at mass.

1997
August. Fr. McAteer leaves, succeeded in September by Fr. William Naylor.

Sunday November 30th - The actual day of our 150th Anniversary.

December. Phase 1 of renovation completed.

Thursday December 12th. Archbishop Patrick Kelly celebrates 150th Jubilee Mass in St. Patricks.