1909: Miss Margaret Coulston

Here we see Margaret Coulston (left), her companion Mrs Smith and Fr Thomas Murphy, parish priest at St Joseph's, Skerton 1902-1924. Miss Coulston founded the parish at Skerton and lived in what is now the presbytery. She was also an important benefactor of St Peter's and is frequently mentioned in Canon Billington's parish history. Cousin of Thomas Coulston (see here), she contributed towards the original stations of the cross (more information here), bought the altar for the St Charles Borromeo chapel and donated the second of the St Peter windows in the north aisle. Miss Coulston died in Skerton on this day in 1909 and is buried outside the main doors of the church. Exactly 100 years after her death, today Mass will be offered for her at St Joseph's church, and parishioners will visit her grave when Mass concludes.