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Chaplain "……...in 1863 the Bishop arranged for him to be chaplain to Mr Biddulph Phillips, a recent convert, at Longworth, near Hereford. The foundation by Mr Phillips of the convent of Bartestree nearby in 1864 led to his appointment as chaplain to the nuns, while residing at Longworth. He was a man of buoyant temperament, of enlarged views and ambitions, of cheerful self-reliance and of eager industry. He was most devoted and punctual in his performance of his duties. After the death of Mr Phillips, and when the convent presbytery was ready, he moved there from Longworth and resided at Bartestree 1866-72. Here he was called upon to use his experience in building. He superintended the erection of the church (most probably the moving of Old Longworth Chapel to its present site 1869-1870), and of an extra wing to the monastery and laying out the cemetery walks and garden. He gave his earnest attention also to the business of the financial support of the community. Various means had been tried with indifferent success, when his practical mind hit upon the project of a laundry, which proved to be the perfect solution. Besides the care of Bartestree, other responsibilities made great demands upon his time and energy. Bishop Brown, then in his 70th year made him his Vicar General, a most exacting post. And, at the same time, he was continued in his membership of the House Council of Belmont. This last Office, when his attendance was required, regularly involved a walk of 7 miles each way and the sacrifice of a whole day. Though of robust health and used to an austere life, he was struck down with pleurisy and died in February 1872 at the age of 67 and is buried at Bartestree…….." Fr Anselm’s extensive obituary details his earlier life and work especially the part he played in the foundation of Belmont in the late 1850’s, where he became Residentiary Canon. "……before the work started, in May 1857, he had with the architect, E. Pugin, settled the main outlines and position of the buildings. He was in constant correspondence with the architect, the contractor and successive clerks of the works. From March 1858, when he was able to reside permanently at Belmont and give his full attention to the work, to the opening day 21 November 1859 he directed operations and watched every stone that went into the building and became known as Dom Anselm "the father of Belmont."…….. Ref. McCann Obituaries. (Belmont was founded as a Catholic Priory in 1859 dedicated to St Michael the Archangel. The Benedictine monastery became an Abbey,1920. School founded 1926) |