Billington's Blog

The Death of Canon Billington

2010-01-01T06:56:00.005Z

Now that the Cathedral's 150th anniversary year is over, it is time also for this blog to come to its end. 225 entries over the last twelve months have attempted to tell the story of Lancaster's Catholic history, especially that of its Cathedral church and parish. While the history can hardly be described as complete, it has hopefully given a flavour of the vast changes that have taken place over many centuries, and has introduced some of the great figures who have been connected with this place. Although there will be no further posts, the blog will remain accessible indefinitely and - we hope - will become a valuable reference site. If you would like to search for a name or event on the site, enter a word or two into the box marked 'search blog' at the top left of the page. And don't forget that you will be able to read the full Billington, plus a second volume bringing the history up-to-date, later this year. There are more details at the top of the right-hand column.

Our thanks are due to a great many people, beginning with a figure who has been constantly in the background over the last year. Although we have always referred to Canon Billington as the author of the parish history, it is worth remembering that he co-wrote the work with John Brownbill. It seems right, therefore, that Mr Brownbill's substantial contribution to our offerings be acknowledged. In more recent times there are many who have contributed to the work of the last year, many of whom have been mentioned in the relevant posts. We would, however, like to thank John Pye, John Rogan, Canon Tom Dakin and Josie and Maurice Bolton, who have all contributed greatly to the research behind the published material, and to all blog readers who have sent in pictures or emails and letters with information. It is much appreciated. We still welcome further contributions for our archives; these may be featured, along with other historical posts from time to time, on the main Lancaster Cathedral Blog: click here.

Six years after the parish history was published Canon Billington died while still in office at St Peter's. The following Monday his body was brought into his church and the solemn dirge was sung, followed by the Office for the Dead, the Rosary and prayers for the dead. At 11:30am on Tuesday 16th May 1916 his requiem Mass was celebrated in St Peter's by the Archbishop of Liverpool and former parishioner, the Most Reverend Thomas Whiteside, assisted by members of the Chapter of Liverpool. Canon Cosgrave preached. After the Mass, Canon Billington was laid to rest with his body facing the church that he had served so faithfully for over 22 years. His book of the parish history concludes with a hymn to Our Lady, which is reproduced here as our own account draws to its close:

O Mary, Virgin, Mother, Queen,
In thee our age-long hope has been;
Thy Son, Who our transgressions bore,
Would have us hope through thee still more;
With Him for England intercede,
And for thine ancient Dowry plead.

The charge at Calvary's Cross received
Anew thine anguished heart hath grieved;
From Christ's true fold how many stray,
Nor will His vicar's call obey!
Yet succour England in its need;
Our parted brethren homeward lead.

By faith in good works fruitful, pray
That all may climb the narrow way,
Till joining thee in heaven above,
We see and praise the God we love;
Oh! now for England intercede,
That then it prove thy Dower indeed.

1868: the death of Dean Richard Brown

2009-12-31T07:12:00.001Z

Dean Richard Melchaides Brown, the priest who built St Peter's church, died on this day in 1868 at the age of 62. His memorial in the Cathedral shows him, as is the custom for founders of churches, holding an image of the church he had built. Canon Billington writes, "After the anxious work of school and church building was accomplished, he lived a little over nine years in the new priests' house, and died there, fortified by the last sacraments, on December 31, 1868. The dirge was sung the following Sunday, January 3, and the requiem mass the following day, Bishop Goss and about forty priests being present. There was no sermon, in accordance with his directions. He was then buried in the cemetery which had been laid out by his efforts".

The memorial plaque bears an inscription noting that he was pastor of the congregation for 28 years and had served as a Canon in the Diocese of Liverpool. Canon Billington records a local newspaper report which stated that he "had obtained the respect of all classes of the population by his courtesy and respect and respect for the opinions of others." He was regarded as "a man of great culture, with a taste for achaeological and architectural studies which had been developed and enriched by his residence in Rome."

Canal Views

2009-12-30T07:26:00.000Z

Some of the photographs of the Cathedral's exterior also catch a glimpse of the changing face of the city. These two pictures, for example, show the changing face of the canal, and give us some sense of how it looked as a working waterway in times gone by.

SHCJ Sisters

2009-12-28T07:54:00.000Z

Following on from our post on the altar servers of 1910, here are some more servants of the parish, though rather more recent. The Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus (SHCJ) came to live in the convent adjoining the Cathedral in the 1940s, and stayed until the late 1990s. Here a group are seen in a photograph which is somewhat more modern than it looks: this is the community (and a visitor or two, by the look of things!) pictured in 1991.

Altar Boys 1910

2009-12-26T07:04:00.002Z

Today is the feast of St Stephen, the patron saint of altar servers. The image shows some of the altar servers of St Peter's Church around the year 1910. Most of the names are given: Back Row: T.Burrows; J.Nixon; J. Carney; J. Harte; E. Nixon; Seated: J. McCarren E,McManus; J.Parker; R.McManus; Front Row: Burrows; Hemingway; Baron; Downey. Thank you to Sister Mary Campion FCJ for sending in this image.

Nativity Play, 1970s

2009-12-25T06:08:00.003Z

Happy Christmas! This image shows a nativity play taking place in the Cathedral sanctuary. Our best information is that the picture dates from the early 1970s, but if you know better, or can shed any light upon who's in the image, please let us know.

1899: the choir stalls

2009-12-24T06:54:00.002Z

The choir stalls were first used on this day in 1899. As can be seen in this image, they originally consisted of two benches on each side; the ornate backs which today carry the shields of former bishops were added later, in 1928. Canon Billington devotes a couple of paragraphs to these stalls, giving details of the carved images, which show scenes from the life of St Peter, the symbols of the four evangelists, the four 'Latin Doctors' of the Church (Sts Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine and Gregory the Great) and various other saints, mostly with strong connections to Britain. Canon Billington records that the stalls cost around £700, and "were designed by Austin and Paley, and the principal carving was done by R. Bridgeman of Lichfield. They were placed there in 1899, being used for the first time on Sunday, December 24." When St Peter's was raised to cathedral status in 1924 the stalls took on a new role as home to the Cathedral Chapter. You can read a little more about this in an earlier post, here. Aside from the stalls, the image above contains a couple of other noteworthy features: it appears that at this early stage the sanctuary was carpeted (presumably this remained so until the jubilee alterations of 1909) and we also get a glimpse of the original decoration of the Lady Chapel, seen behind the stalls. As ever, you can click on the image for a larger version.

1999: the death of Bishop Foley

2009-12-23T06:41:00.001Z

Lancaster's third Bishop, Brian Charles Foley, died ten years ago today. He had retired fourteen years earlier, but had spent those last years engaged in both study and in pastoral activity. In retirement he lived at Nazareth House but was also well-known to the residents of the Ridge Estate, which he often visited; in a sense, he returned to the duties with which he had been so familiar as a priest in the Brentwood Diocese in the 1950s, when he was noted for his house-to-house visits. "Better to ring the house bells than the church bells", he would say. A scholarly man, he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Literature by the University of Lancaster, and published three books in his years of retirement: two on the people of the penal times and one on the history of the jubilee years 1300-1975.

During his time in office the Bishop had guided the Diocese of Lancaster through the difficult years following the Second Vatican Council, at which he himself had participated. No doubt his considerable historical knowledge helped him to guide the Diocese through those turbulent years. At his requiem Mass in the Cathedral, Archbishop Kelly of Liverpool spoke about the Bishop's life of prayer, spiritual reading and study, and noted, "The true historian, the true pastor of so many todays, has true authority to speak of the future." There was also a statement which Bishop Foley had written to be read at his funeral, in which he asked forgiveness for his failings and commended the clergy, religious and laity of the Dioceses of Lancaster and Brentwood. Carried out of the church to John Lingard's famous hymn, 'Hail, Queen of Heaven', he was laid to rest in the Cathedral cemetery. Sadly his successor, Bishop John Brewer, was unable to attend his funeral due to illness, and within six months the Cathedral was hosting another episcopal funeral.

1879: The Bells consecrated

2009-12-21T07:25:00.001Z

The original eight bells at St Peter's were consecrated on this day in 1879, less than a month after the death of their donor, Mr John Gardner of Greaves. Canon Billington tells us that the bells "were cast by Warner & Sons of London, and were consecrated by the Bishop of Liverpool [Dr Bernard O'Reilly] on December 21, two days after their arrival. The bishop gave an address, explaining the service and touching upon various customs of blessing persons and things. In his exhortation to attend 'the voices of the bells' of St. Peter's, he asked the people not to be unmindful of him who had passed away, the giver of the bells: 'Pray for him that God may reward his charity; pray for him that though he did not live to have the satisfaction of hearing these bells themselves, he may now - or if not now, he may speedily - be amongst the choirs of the blessed and unite his voice with the voices of the countless myriads who still sing God's praises for ever and ever.' " Two more bells were added and consecrated in 1948. Each bell carries and inscription including one of the Beatitudes and the name of a saint; in the photograph here it is just possible to make out the text on this bell. Click on the image for a larger version.

1861: The Way of the Cross

2009-12-19T07:25:00.003Z

Slightly out of season, some might say, the original Stations of the Cross were first used 148 years ago today. Canon Billington: "The Way of the Cross was formally inaugurated on December 19, 1861. The Stations then acquired were bought in Paris, the cost in all being under £200. Twelve of them were subscribed for by Miss Jenkinson, Mrs. G. and Miss Coulston, Joseph Coulston, Misses M. and E. Coulston, Mrs. John Coulston, Mrs. John Whiteside, Mrs. Margaret Leeming, Miss M. Leeming, Mr. Richard Leeming, Mr. Hewitt (the Veronica)[this implies that Mr Hewitt payed for the sixth station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus], Mr. J. Birchall, and Mr. H. Verity. Apart from this, subscriptions came in liberally, and the surplus was spent on the statues of St. Peter over the north doorway. For the jubilee the paintings were reframed in oak and hung in somewhat more convenient positions." In the image above two of the stations are clearly visible in their original positions: one between the windows on the left hand side of the picture, and one on the right hand side near the top of the aisle.

This image, taken after 1909, shows the same stations rehung, in accordance with Canon Billington's description. It seems that 'somehat more convenient positions' may simply imply 'lower down on the wall' - presumably this made them more easily visible. The stations were used until the late 1950s, when they were replaced in preparation for the church's centenary; a post on the new stations can be found here.

1922: Dewhurst Chalice

2009-12-18T06:32:00.000Z

This chalice, still regularly used at Mass, is one of many which have been donated to the parish over the years. It is inscibed on the base with the words, "Donated by Mrs Dewhurst, 1922". Nothing else is known of its origin or of the donor; the appendices of Canon Billington's book (published 1910) do list Dewhursts among the communicants of 1799 and among those who helped to pay for the building of St Peter's in the 1850s, so it is at least possible that the donor of this chalice was part of a long-standing Catholic family in the Lancaster area.

The chalice has four scenes from the life of Our Lord at its base: His birth, His baptism, His crucifixion and His resurrection.

1893: Canon Billington arrives

2009-12-16T06:15:00.002Z

Canon Billington, second rector of St Peter's and the parish historian who inspired this blog, was appointed rector at Lancaster on this day in 1893. Regular readers will recognise him, of course, but just in case you're in any doubt, he is seen here seated on the right of the image, a photograph which was unearthed during the course of 2009. The picture was not labelled, though it seems likely that the priests with him are his assistants in the parish. The first post on this blog gave a little information about his life before coming to Lancaster, so today's post is intended to provide a brief record of his many achievements here. Canon Billington remained at St Peter's until his death in 1916, and during his 23 years he achieved a great deal: he had the St Peter windows installed, he built the wonderful baptistery, he oversaw all the work of the golden jubilee, which included a reordering of the sanctuary and other major works, and - of course - he published a parish history with John Brownbill in 1910. It was a time of great activity in the parish and has left a legacy which is still obvious today; Canon Billington's zeal also helped prepare for the time when - eight years after his death - the church would be made the Cathedral of the new Diocese of Lancaster.

1891: the story of Helena Leeming

2009-12-15T06:39:00.003Z

On this day in 1892 a parishioner of St Peter's, Helena Leeming, daughter of Richard Leeming who bought the church's pipe organ, made her solemn profession in the Carmelite monastery at Lanherne, Cornwall. She had left the parish in June 1891, shortly after the deaths of her parents, and had inherited a substantial sum from them. In Carmel she took the name 'Sister Mary Joseph of the Blessed Sacrament'. As a parting gift to the parish, she left this chalice, which is still in use and was the principal chalice used at the Cathedral during the 2009 visit of the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux, the famous 19th century Carmelite.

She disposed of her fortune by giving liberally to many charities, and she also donated the altar in the chapel at Lanherne, which is seen here in a photograph taken in 1937. The Carmel's archive records, "Not so many years after Sister Mary Joseph's profession, her health began to decline. She contracted a form of TB and later cancer. After suffering with great patience and courage, she died very peacefully on 3rd June 1911, and was buried in our private cemetery inside the enclosure. The monastery closed in 2001, and the community merged with that at St Helens; we are grateful to Reverend Mother Prioress for sending us information from the archive and the image of the altar. When the Carmelites left, some contemplative Franciscan sisters moved into the convent, so thankfully it is still home to a religious community and the altar is still in use. You can read a little about the community that is there today, and see a more modern picture of the altar, by clicking here.

The Church of Our Lady, Queen of Poland

2009-12-14T07:06:00.003Z

Almost literally a stone's throw from the Cathedral is Lancaster's Polish Catholic Church. Yesterday the Bishop celebrated a Mass to mark the 60th anniversary of the Polish mission in the city, and the 25th anniversary of the church building. A significant number of Poles came to England around and after the Second World War, and there has recently been a new wave of immigration for economic reasons. Although Lancashire has always had 'local Catholics', some of whom can trace their families back prior to the Reformation, the Catholic Community has also benefited from those coming from Catholic communities elsewhere, most notably Ireland. More recently, a typical Sunday congregation at the Cathedral has become much more ethnically diverse on account of Lancaster University, which draws students from all over the world.

The Cathedral enjoys good relations with its Polish neighbours, and there are Catholics in the city who feel at home in both the churches. If you don't know the geography, you can see in this image just how close the two buildings are: the photograph is taken from the Cathedral tower, and the Polish Church is in the bottom right corner of the picture.

Bishop Brewer at St Thomas More's

2009-12-13T07:01:00.003Z

Some blog readers will recognise a few of the faces in this photograph, which shows the blessing of a Christmas tree at St Thomas More's on this day in 1998. Among them are Bishop Brewer, and, to the left of the picture, Sister Maureen Coyne, and Ursuline sister who still serves the parish today. The blessing took place in the midst of work on the St Thomas More centre, which adjoins the church. Although blessing a Christmas tree seems one of the less significant acts of a Bishop's work, it was certainly handy for him to get to. From 1937, when St Thomas More's was founded, the Bishop of Lancaster was resident within its parish boundary, at Bishop's House on Cannon Hill. This situation ended in 2003, when Bishop O'Donoghue famously sold the house and moved into a small apartment on the Cathedral site, where he remained until his retirement in May 2009.

Canon John Blundell

2009-12-12T07:05:00.001Z

This portrait, which hangs on the upper floor of Cathedral House, is believed to show Canon John Blundell, who was rector at St Peter's from 1922 to 1935. He succeeded Fr Robert Dobson, who had been made auxiliary bishop after only a few months in charge of the parish. Canon Blundell's thirteen years were not uneventful, for it was within his time that the church was raised to cathedral status, to serve the new Diocese of Lancaster; thus it was that he oversaw the transition from parish church to cathedral and became the first Cathedral Administrator. Canon Blundell died on this day in 1935; the notice book for 15th December that year gives details of his funeral: "Monday [16th]: Requiem Mass and funeral at 11.0am. The side aisles will be reserved for the school children; the first eight benches on both sides of the nave will be reserved for clergy, relatives and friends." Amongst the assistant priests at the time was Fr Oswald Brimley, who would become Canon Blundell's successor; the notice book entry for 9th February states simply, "The Bishop has appointed Fr Brimley as Administrator of the Cathedral". Fr Brimley, just 39 at the time, remained in this post until his retirement forty years later.

First Burial, 1859

2009-12-10T06:28:00.002Z

Somewhat surprisingly, it seems that the first burial to take place in St Peter's cemetery after the opening of the new church took place on this day in 1859. The cemetery had been opened earlier, in 1850, so had obviously already been used, but it seems that between the opening of the church in October 1859 and December that year no burials took place there. It seems unlikely that there were no funerals for a two-month period; probably funerals did take place but the deceased were buried in the town cemetery.

So the first person to be carried from the new church to his final resting place in the parish cemetery was a Mr Daniel Gillooly, age 64, of Monmouth Street. He had died on 8th December 1859 and was buried two days later, 150 years ago today.

The Immaculate Conception, 1954

2009-12-08T06:51:00.002Z

The Cathedral's Lady Chapel is, in the words of Canon Billington, 'dedicated to Mary in honour of her Immaculate Conception', the feast which is celebrated today. Contrary to popular misunderstanding, it has nothing to do with the conception of Jesus; rather the doctrine states that Mary herself was conceived without sin. Although the belief had been widely held by Catholics for a long time, it was only formally defined by Pope Pius IX in 1854, just a few years before Lancaster's new church opened. The Lady Chapel's dedication, therefore, is no surprise. In 1954, a century after the declaration, Pope Pius XII declared a Marian year to mark the anniversary, and Cathedral parishioners made a point of celebrating the feast with particular solemnity. There was a triduum - three days of prayer - which featured Mass each morning and sermon each evening. The triduum ended with the feast itself, on which day around 370 people took part in a torchlight procession, followed by Pontifical High Mass sung by Bishop Flynn. Such events give us a glimpse of the popular piety which has always been a part of the life of St Peter's parish, and indeed the Church more widely.

Keeping the roof on

2009-12-07T06:41:00.003Z

The words 'dry rot' bring fear to any parish priest, and Cathedral Administrators have had to deal with this problem on more than one occasion. It seems to have been a problem in the 1950s and 1960s, and again in the early 1990s. This picture was labelled as showing a workman dealing with the problem, 'c. 1992'. There is a constant programme of maintenance on the Cathedral building, which requires a huge amount of upkeep, but it is a tribute to those who built the church that, 150 years on, it is still in very good shape.

Another view of Dalton Square

2009-12-05T05:42:00.003Z

An earlier post showed an image of the Coulston's house in Dalton Square, which was used by the Sisters of Nazareth 1899-1902. Here's another view of the same house, which - as can be seen - had doors onto both Dalton Square and Robert Street. It's very revealing to compare the census returns around the turn of the twentieth century. In 1891 (address listed as 2 Robert Street) lived Margaret Coulston and her sister Elizabeth; two visitors and three servants are also listed. In 1901 (address given as Nazareth House, Dalton Square) there were Sister Mary Ronan and six other nuns plus a further five men, nine women and 41 children in residence - a total of 62 people. It is perhaps unsurprising that they soon looked for another building to occupy!

Early Concelebrated Mass

2009-12-03T06:29:00.002Z

Among the liturgical reforms that emerged following the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) was the possibility of concelbration at Mass. In this way each priest is understood to offer the sacrifice of the Mass even if he is not the principal celebrant. Although concelebration is a long-established practice in the eastern rites, it has no history in the Latin liturgy and its introduction inevitably brought with it some practical problems. This photo shows an early concelebrated Mass in the Cathedral sometime in the 1970s; Bishop Foley is presiding. Notice how the priests are not in matching chasubles; there would have been no sets of multiple vestments before the reforms. Another issue was space: sanctuaries in churches were not designed for large numbers of priests. See here how the priests are fairly tightly gathered around the temporary altar that was in use at the time. In the Cathedral space was a particular problem, especially at large gatherings such as the annual Chrism Mass. No solution was found until the 1995 reordering, when the construction of a new sanctuary at the transept crossing allowed priests to gather in the transepts for these large celebrations.

1938: the death of Bishop T. W. Pearson

2009-12-01T06:32:00.003Z

Lancaster's first bishop, Thomas Wulstan Pearson, died on this day in 1938. A native of Preston, he had been educated at Douai and joined the Downside community of Benedictines in 1887. He remained there until 1912, when he was appointed assistant priest at St Mary's church, Highfield Street, Liverpool. Four years later he was appointed Prior at Ealing Abbey in West London, though it appears that he was unhappy with this appointment and made several requests to be allowed to resume pastoral work. Greater responsibility was laid on his shoulders when he was ordained Bishop of Lancaster in February 1925 (see here), a post which he held until his death.

The notice book entries for 1938 list the Bishop as being ill from around the end of October, and his death is announced in the entry for 4th December. An announcement of the funeral was made as follows: "The body of His Lordship will arrive at 4pm and will lie in state until 7pm. The Solemn Dirge will be sung by Archbishop Downey [of Liverpool] on Monday at 11am. The clergy will occupy the choir benches in the nave; some benches will be reserved for the mayor and relatives etc. The rest of the nave and side aisles will be for the general public. The funeral will take place in our own cemetery." So it was that Bishop Pearson became the first to occupy the vault which now contains the bodies of all the deceased bishops of this diocese to date.

A glance at the list of Mass intentions reveals that at least ten Masses were offered in the Cathedral for the Bishop in the week of his funeral. He had served the Diocese well, overseeing the events of its foundation, which must have been an enormous administrative task. During his episcopate he opened a number of new churches and parishes around the Diocese, including St Thomas More's, founded from the Cathedral.

Bishop Robert Dobson

2009-11-30T07:05:00.002Z

On this day in 1922 Robert Dobson, until that point rector of St Peter's church, was ordained bishop for the Archdiocese of Liverpool. Born in New Orleans in 1867, he grew up on the Fylde and was ordained priest in 1891. He succeeded Dean Holden as parish priest in Lancaster upon Fr Holden's death in February 1922, but his time here was short-lived. On 22nd August that same year Pope Pius XI named him Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool; as a result he is the only rector of the present church to be made a bishop. Ordained to the episcopate by Archbishop Keating (with Bishop Richard Collins of Hexham and Newcastle and Bishop Joseph Cowgill of Leeds as co-consecrators), he served as auxiliary bishop in Liverpool until his death on 6th January 1942. The notice books make little mention of the event, though it is clear from the entries that some parishioners made the trip to Liverpool for the ordination ceremony.

1893: the death of Provost Walker

2009-11-28T06:50:00.002Z

Provost William Walker, the second rector of St Peter's, died on this day in 1893. He had overseen a time of much development within the parish, as an earlier post recalls. Canon Billington tells us, "His health failed early in 1892, and he died at Lancaster, November 28, 1893, fortified by the last sacraments; he was buried at St. Peter's cemetery next to his predecessor... The requiem Mass on December 1 was sung by Dr. Gordon, Bishop of Leeds; the Bishop of Salford (Dr. Bilsborrow) and the coadjutor Bishop of Shrewsbury (Dr. Carroll) and about a hundred priests were present. The church was crowded, the congregation including the High Sheriff (Sir Thomas Storey) and the Mayor (Alderman Gilchrist). The discourse was preached by Rev. R. N. Billington, who became his successor. The Bishop of Liverpool was unable to be present on account of his own illness." Canon Billington goes on to say that a memorial fund raised £668, which was used to pay for one of the St Peter windows, for the installation of electric lights in the church and house, and for part of the decoration of the chancel. He also quotes 'a local newspaper' which described him as "a local celebrity of the first rank, whom to know personally was to admire. No words could describe adequately his fine nature, genial and friendly always, even to those who in secular matters might differ from him. He was generous to a fault, and the kindness of this heart not unfrequently made him a victim of impecunious imposters. He always took a deep interest in the affairs of the town, especially in any work intended to promote the general welfare of the people. The Infirmary was one of the public institutions he most cordially supported, and his attendance at the annual meeting in February 1892 was his last public appearance." Our thanks are due to Sr Mary Campion FCJ, who sent in the memorial card which is pictured in this post.

The English Martyrs' Window

2009-11-25T07:35:00.002Z

The Cathedral's English Martyrs' window, which can be seen in the north transept, was installed in 1888. It shows four martyrs: St John Fisher, St Thomas More, Blessed John Houghton and St Cuthbert Mayne. Above these figures are the patron saints of the donor: St Matthew, St Helen, St Mary Magdalene and St Richard of Chichester. The window was donated in memory of Matthew Hardman, a parishioner and former Lancaster town councillor who died on this day in 1886. Canon Billington tells us, "it was given by his widow, and her nephew and neice, Mr. Robert Preston and his wife Mary."

The Cathedral Chapter, 1996

2009-11-23T06:44:00.004Z

This last offering from the archive of old images of the Cathedral Chapter shows the group in 1996. Bishop John Brewer is seen at the centre of the picture, with Rt Rev. Jack Nicholls, the Anglican Bishop in Lancaster at that time, to his right as we view the photograph.

From the same day we see an image of the Chapter in the Cathedral cemetery, where they gather to prayer for the deceased clergy of the Diocese each November. The Provost, Monsignor Slattery, here leads the prayers.

1924: The new Diocese of Lancaster

2009-11-22T06:15:00.001Z

85 years ago today Pope Pius XI signed a decree, Universalis Ecclesiae Sollicitudo, creating the new Diocese of Lancaster and raising St Peter's Church to cathedral status. It was a few days later, on 3rd December, that Archbishop Keating of Liverpool received notification of the decree. By all accounts he was surprised at the decision, and seemingly somewhat angry: not only had the decree been issued without his knowledge, it also made his great project - the building of a cathedral for Liverpool - somewhat more difficult. The image above shows the 'new' Lancaster Cathedral soon after the creation of the Diocese.

A close-up of the image shows a canopy about half-way up the picture, attached to the arches on the left-hand side. This is a temporary arrangement put in place to highlight the cathedra (bishop's throne) which was placed beneath it. Later, in 1928, a permanent cathedra was installed and the canopy removed. The new Diocese of Lancaster was formed from the northern part of the Liverpool Archdiocese (from which were taken 46 parishes, 67,647 Catholics and 91 priests), and from the western part of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle (from which a further 18 parishes, 21,098 Catholics and 32 priests were taken). From the date of the decree 85 years ago there must have been some fairly frantic activity to prepare for the installation of the first chapter and the consecration of the first Bishop of Lancaster, in February 1925.

Bishop Foley and the Chapter, 1970s

2009-11-20T06:47:00.001Z

Thanks to those who have sent in information about photographs of the Cathedral Chapter posted so far this month. Here's the latest offering, which shows Bishop Foley with the Chapter outside Cathedral House. You may recognise Cathedral Administrator Monsignor Canon Brimley (to the right of the Bishop as we view the picture). As for the date, we are unsure, though it seems likely that to be sometime in the mid 1970s. Monsignor Slattery, who succeeded Brimley at the Cathedral, is not yet a member of the Chapter, and he took over in 1975, so it is unlikely to be much later than this date. The entire Chapter is pictured, though Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Pearson is missing from this particular gathering.

1894: the local boy returns home

2009-11-18T07:00:00.004Z

Archbishop Thomas Whiteside, whom we met earlier in the year, visited St Peter's on this day in 1894. Just a few months after his episcopal consecration, it was his first official visit to his home parish since becoming Bishop of Liverpool. Canon Billington's account of the visit tells us, "On his first official visit to Lancaster he pontificated at St. Peter's on November 18, Mr. Robert Preston, the mayor, attending the church in state, and his brother, Dr. Richard Preston, preaching on the text, 'Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's.' On the following evening there was a public reception of the bishop, when addresses of congratulation were presented by the Catholics of Lancaster and the schoolchildren." The local press reported that an estimated 2000 people attended the Mass sung by the Bishop.

Bishop Pearson's Chalice

2009-11-17T07:19:00.002Z

Among the Cathedral's sacred vessels is this chalice, which belonged to Lancaster's only Auxiliary Bishop to date, Rt Rev. Thomas Bernard Pearson.

At the base of the chalice is Bishop Pearson's coat of arms and motto, 'Jesu, super mel et omnia' -literally, 'Jesus, above honey and all things'. The motto is taken from the hymn Jesu Dulcis Memoria, which speaks of the sweetness of Jesus - hence the reference to honey. The text is attributed to St Bernard, and this may well have been a factor in the choice of motto, as Saints Thomas and Bernard were the Bishop's two patrons. Bishop Pearson died on this day in 1987.

The Cathedral Chapter, 1960s

2009-11-15T07:01:00.000Z

Today another Chapter photograph, this one seemingly dating from the 1960s. Bishop Foley and auxiliary Bishop Thomas B. Pearson are seated centrally on the front row. Also, on the far left of the front row is Monsignor Canon Oswald Brimley, the Cathedral administrator at the time. Click on the image for a larger version. If you can shed any more light on the date or the priests pictured, please let us know.

Built on rock

2009-11-13T07:16:00.006Z

Like any large building, Cathedral House needs a fair amount of maintenance. The pictures here date from the early years of the current century, when work had to be done to underpin the structure. Although the Cathedral itself is - thankfully - built on solid rock, the house had suffered from subsidence and cracks were opening up.

This is the result. If you look carefully at this image you won't spot too many straight (let alone parallel!) lines. This picture shows the south end of the upper floor of Cathedral House as it appears today; you can clearly see that the subsidence has caused damage.

Along the same corridor, this bathroom door no longer fits its frame! Although the door is firmly closed, a gap has opened up in the top left corner. When the work was done devices were installed for monitoring the stability of the house, and so far the underpinning seems to have been effective. This major project is one of the more prominent pieces of work to have taken place in the 150-year history of the building, but in reality both house and church require a constant programme of maintenance and repair.

Alongside the repair work occasional improvements are made. At about the time of the underpinning work a new staircase was installed near the south end of the house. Here Fr Jim Burns, one of the Cathedral's priests at the time, surveys the progress.

A view inside Cathedral House

2009-11-12T07:09:00.002Z

Following yesterday's post, here is a view of the long passage which runs the length of the ground floor of Cathedral House. The large arch near the front of the picture marks where the original house meets the extension (the photograph is taken from the newer part of the building). These days the corridor is carpeted and divided by fire doors, but the tiled floor can clearly be seen here. Some of the furniture - and even the light fittings - survive to this day.

Cathedral House

2009-11-11T06:48:00.001Z

Canon Billington's history includes a little section on the presbytery, which is now known as 'Cathedral House'. He writes: "A priests' house adjoining the church and connected internally with it was part of Dean Brown's plan, and in spite of some financial difficulties the building was erected, forming three sides of a little court, the other side being the wall of the church... in 1895-6 the house was extended by adding a large bay to the south, from the designs of Austin and Paley. The cost of this extension, including furnishing, was greater than that of the original house, reaching to more than £3000, for in the forty years' interval there had been a great alteration in prices and in the conditions of labour." The extension mentioned is the part of the house nearest the camera in the above image, which appears to date from sometime in the early part of the 20th century. Part of the upper floor of this extension was used as a Chapter room after the Diocese of Lancaster was founded in 1924, though the whole area later reverted to providing accommodation for the priests serving the parish.

The Cathedral Chapter, 1987

2009-11-09T06:34:00.002Z

As promised, here is the first of a series of old pictures of the Cathedral Chapter. This one dates from 1987. Bishop Brewer is surrounded by the canons, some of whom have especially close links with the Cathedral: on the far right is Monsignor Canon Slattery, who finished his term as Cathedral administrator in the same year; he was succeeded by Canon Mulvany, who is seen third from the right on the back row. Canon Tom Dakin, who grew up in the Cathedral parish, is seen in the top-right of the picture. Stood behind the Bishop, right in the centre of the doorway, is Monsignor Paddy O'Dea, who was elected Administrator of the Diocese when Bishop Brewer died in 2000.

1996: RIBA award

2009-11-07T06:28:00.002Z

The November 1996 edition of the Catholic Voice, the newspaper of the Diocese of Lancaster, reported that the Cathedral had been given a regional architecture award for the 1995 reordering by Francis Roberts. The award, granted by the Royal Institute of British Architects, is commemorated in a plaque close to the Cathedral's south-west door.

1860: The altar of St Charles Borromeo

2009-11-05T06:52:00.001Z

The Cathedral's altar of St Charles Borromeo was consecrated in 1860 by Dr Goss, the Bishop of Liverpool; the exact date of consecration is not known. Canon Billington records that the altar was "the gift of the Misses Coulston of Dalton Square, eminent benefactors of the Catholics of Lancaster and district and of the poor in general." He also notes that St Charles was the patron of the local deanery, and that "Fr. Brown, who had great devotion to St. Charles... determined that it should be dedicated to him, and carried his point." The image here is the result of work from the 1909 celebrations: "In memory of Miss [Margaret] Coulston, this chapel was decorated during the jubilee by Alderman [Robert] Preston. Mr. G. G. Scott directed the work." You can see more of this altar and reredos on the main Lancaster Cathedral blog: click here.

1961: The Death of Bishop Flynn

2009-11-04T07:00:00.003Z

Rt Rev. Thomas Flynn, Second Bishop of Lancaster, died on this day in 1961. He had presided over the Diocese for just over 22 years, a time which included the whole of the Second World War and its aftermath, the appointment of Lancaster's only auxiliary bishop to date, and the centenary of the Cathedral Church.

The notice book is surprising brief about his death; an entry for Sunday 5th November 1961 simply reads, "Bishop Flynn died about noon yesterday. His body will be brought here Wednesday at 4pm and the Requiem will be at 11.0 on Thursday." The entry for the following week suggests that there had been much activity in the intervening period: "We express our sincere thanks to those who kept guard over Bishop Flynn['s body], to those who worked in the cemetery and in the grounds to tidy them up for the funeral, to those who helped in church for the funeral Mass, to the bearers of the coffin and to those who helped in the presbytery while the visiting bishops were in residence. We call on you to pray for the soul of Bishop Flynn."

1859: First Marriage

2009-11-03T06:42:00.002Z

According to the parish registers, the first wedding in the new St Peter's church took place on this day in 1859. Thomas Brown of Elswick, son of John and Helen Brown, married Joanna Ball of Heaton, daughter of William and Margaret Ball. The witnesses were Robert Ball and Maria Ball. The image above, of course, is of a rather more recent wedding!

The Cathedral Chapter

2009-11-01T07:32:00.002Z

One of the most modern photographs we have featured on Billington's Blog, this image shows the Cathedral Chapter in May 2009. The Chapter (members of which are known as 'Canons') has some responsibility for overseeing the running of the Cathedral, and - when the diocese is a vacant see - for electing an Administrator who runs the diocese until a new bishop is appointed. The Diocese of Lancaster was founded in November 1924 (more on that later), and to mark the anniversary we will feature some old pictures of the Chapter throughout this month of November. In the meantime, you can find out more about the Chapter in an earlier post about the installation of the first canons, here.

A view from the Square II

2009-10-31T07:07:00.002Z

Slightly further up the road, and somewhat later, here is a view from East Road in the mid-20th century. The garage at the front of the picture was only demolished fairly recently (in the last decade or so) to make way for some new apartments. The trees have certainly grown somewhat since this picture was taken, and - as every Lancaster resident knows - the roads are a good deal busier. Seeing pictures of Lancaster through the ages it is striking how long-standing landmarks, such as the Cathedral, provide reassuring continuity in a rapidly changing city.

A view from the Square I

2009-10-30T07:01:00.003Z

This image shows the view from Dalton Square as it would have appeared at around the turn of the twentieth century. St Peter's (not yet a cathedral, of course) is clearly visible further along East Road, and the Baptist Church on Nelson Street, which had only recently been built, can also be seen. Among the items which have disappeared are the tram lines and the house to the right of the picture. This belonged to the Coulston family, and was used as Nazareth House when the Sisters of Nazareth came to Lancaster in 1899. The house was demolished to make way for the Town Hall, which opened in 1909.

1928: The Metropolitan See of Liverpool

2009-10-28T06:50:00.002Z

This banner, which hangs in Liverpool's Catholic Cathedral, reminds us that Liverpool is a 'Metropolitan See'. As such it has an Archbishop, who acts as a figurehead for the seven dioceses of the north of England, even though he has no direct jurisdiction outside of his own diocese. Liverpool was made a Metropolitan See on this day in 1928; today the other six dioceses in this province are: Hallam (Sheffield), Hexham and Newcastle, Lancaster, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Salford.

Another view of the pulpit

2009-10-26T07:21:00.000Z

Following our earlier post here, today we share another view of the pulpit. This one dates from the 1960s or early 1970s. Note the different lighting and arcading still visible around the Sacred Heart altar. The statues are also in different positions: the Sacred Heart statue is seen to the left of the picture, just outside the chapel of St Charles Borromeo, while the statue of St Joseph can be seen to the right of the pulpit. On the far right it is clear that the confessional is still in use; it was one of four confessionals which were active at the time. This particular space was later converted for use in the preparation of flower arrangements for the Cathedral.

1946: The Visit of Cardinal Griffin

2009-10-25T06:57:00.002Z

On this day in 1946 Cardinal Bernard Griffin, Archbishop of Westminster, visited Lancaster. It was one of the most important events yet for Catholics in this city, not least because the Cardinal was received with a warm welcome at the Town Hall. A letter from the Town Clerk advises councillors: "The Cardinal will appear in robes, and accordinly the Mayor would be glad if members of the council would robe and wear any badges or decoration to which they are entitled." Cathedral parishioners were also being encouraged to turn out in force, as details of the visit were given - so the notice book entry for 20th October 1946: "Friday is a great day for the Catholics of Lancaster. His Eminence Cardinal Griffin will be received by the Mayor and Corporation at the Town Hall at 11:30am; the Cardinal will come out to speak to the children at 11:45am and will return home at 12noon. If wet, the Cardinal will address the children in the Ashton Hall. Since this is a great event for us, we hope that as many Catholics as possible will assemble at the Town Hall on Friday at 11:15am - adults will be placed on the Town Hall steps, if they wish. The children will be arrayed in front of the Town Hall. Let this be a real Lancashire welcome for the Cardinal; let him see what the Catholics of Lancaster can do, when a Prince of the Church pays a visit to the city." The following week the notice book suggests that everything had gone well: "His Eminence was very much impressed by the welcome which you gave him, and begs to thank you for your grand reception. You responded to the appeal and proved yourselves worthy of the Cathedral and Lancaster. The children were really marvellous and the singing was impressive. A big thank you to all those who took part in this affair and who helped so willingly to make it so great a success."

1981: Music from Lancaster Cathedral

2009-10-24T07:24:00.002+01:00

Billington's Blog has often featured music, and the figure of Dr Dixon stands out as one who has appeared many times. After his retirement in 1971, however, much work went on to try to keep the Cathedral's musical tradition alive. In the early 1980s a boys' choir achieved a great deal, even on one occasion singing at the Vatican. In 1981 this LP was produced, and a number of copies are still extant.

Football Team 1945

2009-10-22T06:44:00.001+01:00

Thank you to Sister Mary Campion FCJ for sending in this picture of the Cathedral's junior football team, 1945. We even have names for most of the boys pictured: Back row - left to right: Michael Jeffries, Terence Jackson, Colin Atkinson, John McCarren, Kenneth Barnes; Front Row: Bruce Heap, ?, Robert Stirzaker, Ben Connolly, Jimmy Howard, Freddie Carr. Click on the picture to enlarge, and feel free to contact us with any further information or any pictures you would like to share.

William Leeming and the Pulpit

2009-10-20T07:04:00.004+01:00

William Leeming, who donated the pulpit died on this day in 1912. He had been born in 1827 and was the younger brother of Richard Leeming, donor of the church organ. Canon Billington writes: "In the nave proper one of the ornaments is the pulpit, which stands on the south side against the western pier of the transept arch. It was the gift of Mr. William Leeming, now of West Derby near Liverpool. The body is of light veined marble, semi-octagonal in shape, with four dark-coloured marble shafts on the corners, on each of which stands a white alabastar figure of one of the evangelists." The pulpit is pictured above, in its original position. The image here also gives a rare glimpse of the Pugin arcading which previously surrounded the Sacred Heart altar.

Sadly the pulpit was removed and seemingly destroyed in the 1970s; all that is known to remain is this one panel, which is still in the Cathedral's possession. It is one of four scenes which Canon Billington describes in his book. This appears to be the first scene, that of "St Peter and the other apostles preaching on the day of Pentecost".

1936: STM Foundation Stone

2009-10-18T06:43:00.002+01:00

Of all the parishes and churches founded from St Peter's, St Thomas More's on the Marsh has been most closely associated with the Cathedral; today it is again part of the Cathedral parish. The foundation stone for the church was laid on this day in 1936; the building was consecrated the following May.

Cardinal William Allen

2009-10-16T06:42:00.002+01:00

This portrait of Cardinal William Allen, who died on this day in 1594, hangs on the wall in Cathedral House. He was born near Fleetwood in 1532. After having refused to take the 1559 Oath of Supremacy, he sought refuge in England but eventually had to flee to the continent in 1565. Soon afterwards he was ordained priest. He is one of the most significant figures of the counter-reformation, as he worked to found seminaries for the training of English priests on foreign soil. In 1568 he established the English College at Douai, and later assisted in the foundation of the Venerable English College in Rome (1575) and the English College at Valladolid (1589). These last two foundations are still used for the training of priests, while Douai, which closed in 1793 as a result of the French Revolution, is the origin of the colleges at Ushaw (Durham) and Allen Hall (Chelsea). Pope Sixtus V made Allen a cardinal in 1587. Cardinal Allen's legacy cannot be overestimated: he provided the colleges which trained many of the priests who kept Catholicism alive in England during the years of persecution (including many of the martyrs). More recently, most of the priests who have served the Cathedral owe their formation to a seminary founded by him.

The Cathedral Newsletter

2009-10-14T07:07:00.004+01:00

For long-standing Cathedral parishioners there may be a touch of nostalgia about today's post. Frequently Billington's Blog has referred to the 'notice books', which record announcements made at Mass over the years. Although announcements are often still made, such notice books are no longer kept; their demise was brought about by the introduction of a weekly newsletter. The humble origins of this newsletter (or bulletin) can be seen above. Set out on a typewriter, the bulletin would then have been copied in house. The advent of cheaper printing technology paved the way for this innovation! The example above is from May 1980.
By the early 1990s the newsletter was a little more sophisticated. A folded A4 sheet, produced on a computer, included a cover picture of the Cathedral. This version, from July 1991, also shows that by this time the Cathedral was also serving St Thomas More's parish.

Further changes were to come: on the first Sunday of Lent in 2006 the newsletter saw the introduction of colour. One side was mass-printed, with spaces left for the parts that change from week to week, then overprinted each week in the Cathedral office. In a sense the colour part worked a bit like an elaborate headed notepaper.

Today the entire newsletter is printed at the Cathedral, and the availablity of much cheaper colour printing makes it possible for colours and texts to change whenever necessary. Photographs are also now widely used, and the newsletter is printed on A3 paper, allowing much more space for features and information. This is the current version (front and back covers shown), which includes pictures of the recent 150th anniversary celebrations. The growth of computer technology poses questions, however: will newsletters, like the notice books, one day become a thing of the past? Will we all receive news of the parish only by email in future? Time will tell.

1958: Requiem for Pope Pius

2009-10-12T06:02:00.001+01:00

On this day in 1958 a requiem Mass was celebrated for Pope Pius XII, who died on 9th October that year. He had spent almost 20 years in the chair of St Peter, and had led the Church throughout the difficult years of the Second World War. The Cathedral's notice book for 12th October 1958 includes the entry: "Pontifical Requiem for Pope Pius XII tonight at 6.30. It is your duty to be present tonight to pray for the soul of the Pope who has done so much to help you in your spiritual life – so you must all be present. The Mayor and Deputy were to come to the service, but have to attend services already fixed previously."

1859: The First Baptism

2009-10-10T06:53:00.001+01:00

The registers record that the first baptism in the new St Peter's church took place 150 years ago today. Margaret Lambert, Daughter of Thomas and Anna Lambert (née McVay) was born on 7 May 1858 and baptised on 10 October 1859. It wasn't in the baptistery, of course - this was only opened in 1901. The original font stood at the back of the south aisle, close to where the statue of St Peter now stands.

1861: the original altar

2009-10-09T06:49:00.001+01:00

On this day in 1861 the original high altar of St Peter's church was consecrated. It served the church until 1909, when it was replaced by the new altar, reredos and triptych. Canon Billington tells us about the origin of the first altar: "The old high altar, the gift of Mrs. Gabriel Coulston, was the work of Stirling of Liverpool. The table was a slab of veined marble supported by four pillars of Devonshire marble which rested on a granite base." The altar is here seen in its original position in St Peter's.

This close-up is a modern photograph of the altar, which is currently in storage in the care of the Archdiocese of Liverpool. Canon Billington describes the panels: "The lower part of the altar was divided into three panels; the centre had a carving representing the Lamb of God shedding His blood for men, and the side pieces showed ministering angels with outspread wings. The altar was consecrated on October 9, 1861, by the Bishop of Liverpool [Dr Alexander Goss]."

To accompany this picture, which again shows the altar in its original position, a few more words of Canon Billington's description: "the upper half was arcaded in a simple manner, the niches being filled with statues of Saints Peter, Paul, Cuthbert, William, Wilfrid, and Oswald, these four being the most prominent of the saints of northern England. In the centre there was a tabernacle of marble with ornamental brass doors; above stood the throne, having a pinnacled canopy of alabaster."

After 1909 the altar was moved: "This altar has been given to the church of St Malachy, at the south end of Liverpool." The parish referred to was in the Toxteth area; it had opened a few years earlier, in 1900. Sadly it was closed in 2001, and the altar, as previously noted, is now in storage.

1859: The Coulston Chantry

2009-10-08T07:10:00.002+01:00

150 years ago today the Coulston chantry altar was consecrated. The chapel was founded for Thomas Coulston of Well House, who left £2000 to the parish upon his death in 1856; this money, Canon Billington tells us, "gave the impulse to building the church." He goes on to give a description of the chantry: "The chapel opens into the aisle by two arches filled with iron screen-work. The roof is vaulted in stone. The floor of the chapel is one step above the aisle, and two more steps lead up to the altar. This was consecrated on October 8, 1859."

"The front of the altar has three ornamental panels, and as reredos there is under an arch a beautiful Pieta, or group showing our Lord in His Mother's arms after the taking down from the cross; this was carved by Ginflowski. The dedication is to the Sorrows of our Lady, St. Thomas the Apostle, and St. Thomas of Canterbury. During the jubilee alterations [1909] the floor was relaid in marble, with stone strips."

1859: open to the public

2009-10-06T06:30:00.000+01:00

It was on this day in 1859 that the new church of St Peter was first opened to the public. Canon Billington gives a fairly lengthy description of the proceedings, recording that High Mass was celebrated by Bishop Goss, with Bishop Turner of Salford and Bishop Briggs of Beverley also attending. Haydn's Imperial Mass was sung. Dr Roskell, the Bishop of Nottingham, preached on the words, "Go, make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). After Mass the Te Deum was sung. Billington notes, "The music was conducted by Mr. Gustave Arnold, a former organist; he brought a full orchestra from Manchester. Mr. Schmitz was organist." There is some evidence - though as yet no proof - to suggest that the orchestra referred to was Manchester's famous Hallé orchestra, which had recently been established. After Mass there was "a luncheon in the schoolroom", presided over by Mr. R. T. Gillow of Leighton Hall. There were toasts to the Pope, the Queen, the bishops, Dean Brown, the architect and the ladies. Canon Billington tells us, "Bishop Goss in his speech congratulated the people of Lancaster upon having raised 'one of the most glorious works of the present age' without appeaking to external aid." Dean Brown himself spoke of the great generosity of the people of Lancaster, of how he had desired only the best for the new church, and of the purpose of the building's grandeur: the honour and glory of God. He also thanked those who were not of the Catholic faith and yet had "given help or shown favour" towards the building of the new church.

1996: The Martyrs' Stone

2009-10-06T06:25:00.006+01:00

Thirteen years ago the memorial to the Lancaster Martyrs was blessed. It was almost exactly 350 years since the last of the martyrs had been put to death.

The event included representatives of other denominations, including the local Anglican suffrigan bishop, a local Methodist leader and representatives of the Society of Friends. Crowds gathered in Dalton Square, from where Bishop Brewer and the other religious leaders led the way.

Mounted police cleared the road ahead of the procession; a brass band is also visible in this picture.

A crowd of several hundred people gathered for the event, which had something of the spirit of the earlier hugely popular martyrs' rallies.

Today the memorial still stands on the hill above the Cathedral. Each year on 7th August - the feast of the Lancaster Martyrs - prayers are said around it. The site for the memorial was chosen after much historical research carried out by Lancaster University students Susan Anderson and Peter Williamson, under the supervision of Dr Mike Mullett. Bishop Foley, who had a noted interest in local Catholic history, was also very involved. It appears that different executions were carried out in this area but not always on the same site; a number of places in the locality appear to have been used.

1859: The Lady Chapel

2009-10-05T07:33:00.001+01:00

A day after the main altar was consecrated, the Lady Chapel altar followed. Miss Elizabeth Dalton of Thurnham gave £1098 for this chapel to be built, and hence it is sometimes known as the Dalton Chapel. Here are some extracts from Canon Billington's section on this chapel: "The Dalton Chapel, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary in honour of her Immaculate Conception, is entered from the north transept. It is 26 feet long and 12 feet wide. The two arches on the chancel side are enclosed by open iron screen-work, and the arch into the transept has another screen, with gates. The floor of the chapel is raised by two steps above the transept, and is of mosaic work. Two more steps lead to the altar, the table of which is of veined marble and is supported by Irish green marble shafts. The reredos is also of marble. Over the tabernacle in the centre it has a figure of our Lady carved in white marble and standing under a canopy; on one side there is a panel carved with the Annunciation, and on the other side one of the Nativity of our Lord. The altar was consecrated by the Bishop of Liverpool the day after the church, viz. October 5, 1859."; "The chapel was restored in 1904 at a cost of £380, in celebration of the jubilee of the proclamation of the Immaculate Conception in 1854."

1859: The Consecration of St Peter's

2009-10-04T06:01:00.000+01:00

Around the walls of the Cathedral there are candles; these mark the places where, on this day in 1859, Bishop Alexander Goss anointed the walls of the new church with oil. The Cathedral Church of Lancaster, as it became in 1924, is today 150 years old. Given the great crowds that will come to celebrate the anniversary today, it seems strange that in 1859 only a small number were allowed to be present (Canon Billington will explain!). Sadly, there are no know photographs of the event and Canon Billington's account of the day is surprisingly brief: "The ceremony of consecration, lasting over four hours, took place on Tuesday, October 4, 1859, Bishop Goss officiating. As it requires the floor space of the building to be kept clear, the people are not admitted to it as a body. The new church of St Peter, Prince of the Apostles, wsa opened for public worship on the following Thursday, with pontifical high mass." The account then gives a fuller desciption of this event, which we will share in due course. One signifcant fact about this day is very striking: it is not permitted to consecrate a church that is yet to be fully paid for. Therefore every penny (indeed every farthing) towards the building of the church had been paid off before it was ever opened to the public. The people of Lancaster had paid for their new church. If you'd like to know more about the consecration ceremony, a blog from Westminster Cathedral has details and images of its consecration in 1910 (the rite of consecration would be largely unchanged between 1859 and that time); you can find the post here.

1872: Bishop Alexander Goss

2009-10-03T07:11:00.002+01:00

Rt Rev. Alexander Goss, the second Bishop of Liverpool, died on this day in 1872. Born at Ormskirk, he was educated at Ushaw and the Venerable English College, Rome, where he was ordained priest in July 1841. In 1853 he became coadjutor Bishop of Liverpool (alongside George Brown) and he took over the Diocese on 25th January 1856. For St Peter's he was an important figure: it was he who consecrated the church on 4th October 1859; he also consecrated many of the side altars. He was present at the funeral of Dean Brown, the founder of this church, and appointed Provost Walker as Brown's successor.

1995: The Cathedral reordered

2009-10-02T06:46:00.002+01:00

Just ahead of the date of the Cathedral's consecration, today Billington's Blog features a few words about the 1995 reordering of the Cathedral. The work has already been featured in some earlier posts; today we briefly look at its completion. The Cathedral was rededicated and the new altar reconsecrated on 4th October 1995 by Bishop John Brewer; the church was packed with representatives from around the Diocese of Lancaster, along with eight bishops and over 100 priests. The Apostolic Delegate was also present, representing the Pope. The restoration work, masterminded by Preston architect Frank Roberts, met with great critical acclaim. It included the creation of a new sanctuary at the transept crossing; in this sanctuary were a new altar, ambo and cathedra, and above the altar a corona lucis was installed. The 1909 triptych, which for many years had been removed to other parts of the church, was returned to the east end of the Cathedral.

The diocesan newspaper, the Catholic Voice, led its November 1995 edition with the reordering, under the title "A Cathedral to be proud of". Indeed it was an occasion for congratulation around the whole Diocese of Lancaster, throughout which a great fundraising campaign had taken place to secure the £250,000 needed for the work; a grant from English Heritage also made a significant contribution. The restoration work was undertaken at the request of Bishop Brewer and the Cathedral Chapter, and was overseeen by the Administrator at the time, Canon Patrick Mulvany.

1909: The New High Altar

2009-10-01T06:34:00.001+01:00

100 years ago today the new high altar, installed to mark the Golden Jubilee of St Peter's, was consecrated. Canon Billington gives us some details: "On Friday morning, beginning half-past seven, the bishop proceeded to consecrate the altar, Mgr. Gillow and Fr. Langtree being masters of ceremonies. The Rev. T. Murphy of Skerton and Dr. Kenny acted as deacon and subdeacon, the Rev. R. O. Bilsborrow being book-bearer, and the Rev. E. Stephens thurifer. In the stalls were Canon Billington and Dean Crookall. The service for the consecration of an altar lasts about two hours, and though of great interest to those who take part in it, is scarcely intelligible to the distant spectators in the body of the church." He goes on to outline the rite, and his account is too long to reproduce here. In short, it involves the recitation of at least five psalms and other scriptural texts, the placing of the relics within the altar, the use of holy water and later holy oil to anoint the altar with five crosses and then the anointing of the entire surface of the altar. Incense is also used on several occasions during the rite. "When its consecration was finished", Canon Billington tells us, "the bishop said mass at the new altar. Later the Blessed Sacrament, which had during the alterations been reserved in the Lady Chapel, was placed in the tabernacle of the high altar." The church reopened to the public on Sunday 3rd October.

1909: The Golden Jubilee begins

2009-09-30T07:27:00.003+01:00

These images show the Cathedral as it appeared in 1909, following the alterations made for the Golden Jubilee. It was on this day, 30th September, that the Golden Jubilee celebrations began. The great changes that were made, along with the celebration itself, were overseen by our own Canon Billington, who was rector at the time. His book devotes a whole chapter to the event; here are a couple of extracts: "To mark the fiftieth anniversary of the consecration of the church, considerable alterations were made, all tending to the greater beauty of the building and the convenience of the congregation... they may be summarised here as the provision of a new high altar with fine reredos and triptych; new flooring for the chancel, aisles, chantries, and passages of the nave and aisles; new benches all through the church, new doors, and a screen for the west door, the recolouring of the walls, the decoration of St. Charles's altar, and minor changes. During the alterations, which occupied many months, the services of the church had to be somewhat curtailed, and were conducted at much inconvenience to the clergy and the people, but the result has caused all that to be forgotten."

Here is the new high altar referred to. It was consecrated on 1st October, but the ceremonies for the jubilee began the previous evening: "The celebration began on Thursday evening, September 30, with the veneration of the relics of SS. Urban and Valerian, which were to be deposited in the new altar. The relics, enclosed in a suitable casket, were placed on the altar in the baptistery, and the night office of 'many martyrs' was recited there. Those present were the Bishop of Liverpool [Thomas Whiteside], Canon Billington and the other clergy of St. Peter's, Mgr. Gillow of Kirkham, Dean Crookall of Douglas, Isle of Man, and the Rev. R. J. Langtree of Grange."

1850: The Hierarchy Restored

2009-09-29T07:23:00.002+01:00

On this day in 150 Pope Pius IX restored the Catholic hierarchy in England and Wales. At the Reformation the English bishops had broken links with Rome, and after that time the life of English Catholics was overseen directly from the Vatican. Before the restoration of the hierarchy there were bishops in England, but no dioceses; the bishops were known as 'Vicars Apostolic' - meaning that they deputised for the Pope and exercised his authority here. 159 years ago today that changed; dioceses were founded, with a Metropolitan See at Westminster - its first Archbishop, Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman, is pictured here. Lancaster at that time became part of the Diocese of Liverpool, in which it remained until 1924.

Cathedral Life in 1963

2009-09-26T07:18:00.002+01:00

This impressive scene shows part of the Second Vatican Council, which took place 1962-1965. The Council resulted in sweeping changes to Catholic life, particularly to the liturgical expression of our faith. Back in September 1963 prayers were being asked for the Council as its second session began, as the notice book entry for 29th September reveals. The following extracts also show other aspects of parish life - the approach of the annual dedication feast, and the collection for the Bishop Flynn memorial (the Social Centre) are perhaps worthy of special mention. Here are some of the notice booke entries for that day:

· Next Sunday we keep the feast of the anniversary of the church; sermons preached by Canon Kershaw. This is our big day of the year for upkeep of the Cathedral – the second collection next Sunday, but we appeal to your generosity for the support of the church
· Special Collection today for Bishop Flynn memorial
· Fr Lockwood wishes to thank you for prayers and donations on the occasion of his silver jubilee
· We remind you of the Nazareth House bring and buy sale next Saturday, at Nazareth House, 2:30pm. Your support is requested on this annual occasion
· The second session of the Vatican Council opens today. The Holy Father asks prayers for its success.
· We begin October devotions on Tuesday. There will the devotions every night before the Blessed Sacrament at 7:30pm.

1939: The Little Flower

2009-09-24T06:39:00.001+01:00

At the time of writing in 2009 the Cathedral is preparing to welcome the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux, the saint who has become known as 'the Little Flower'. Seventy years earlier Fr Vernon Johnson was at the Cathedral delivering a course of sermons on St Thérèse, as the flyer shows and as the notice book for 24th September 1939 confirms. Even the best laid plans sometimes go wrong, however, and the notice book reveals that the time of the sermons had to be altered. The flyer here shows that the plan was to have Benediction and sermon on weekdays at 7:30pm; the notice book advertises the event at 6:45pm. The reason? The outbreak of war meant night-time blackouts, so all public gatherings had to take place before dark. The notice book also shows that other activities were affected: "Owing to the war and difficulties of blackout, we think it better in the interests of your own safety not to have any social activities at present. So the Christmas draw and reunion will be suspended this year." Despite the disruption, it seems that Fr Vernon was able to deliver all his sermons; he also preached on 8th October at Mass and Benediction, for the 80th celebration of the dedication of the church.

1888: Richard Leeming

2009-09-22T07:13:00.002+01:00

The more observant visitors to the Cathedral may have spotted this - it is the crest of the Leeming family, and can be found on the organ loft, just above the central aisle. Both the organ and the gallery were donated by Richard Leeming of Greaves House, who died on this day in 1888, just a few months before the organ was opened.

The Saint Peter Windows

2009-09-21T07:15:00.002+01:00

This window is the second in a series of four which run along the north aisle and depict the life of St Peter. It was given by Margaret Coulston, in memory of her sister Elizabeth, who died on this day in 1893. The other three windows are also given in memory of the dead, though no inscription is found in the church itself. The first window was given by Mr Robert Preston in memory of Dean Brown, the third formed part of the memorial to Provost Walker, and the final window was given by members of the Leeming family in memory of Richard Leeming and his wife.

The Centenary III

2009-09-20T07:20:00.000+01:00

Although it didn't result in the large-scale alterations that marked the Golden Jubilee in 1909, the centenary did provide an opportunity for some repairs and physical changes to the building. A fund was established, and the £4500 raised was used for a number of changes: wooden panelling was added to the Lady Chapel (above) and new statues were put in the Cathedral.

Four new reliquaries (pictured) were bought for the high altar, along with a new thurible. Other furnishings and fittings inside the church were restored or replaced to mark the anniversary.

The Centenary II

2009-09-19T07:08:00.005+01:00

Today's post on the Centenary of the Cathedral features some of the official photographs which have survived in our archive. Here some of the significant figures of the time are pictured on the Cathedral lawn. The Mayor of Lancaster, Councillor Cecilia Pickard, is seen with her mayoral chain; to the left of her we see Bishop Flynn, and further left is Monsignor Oswald Brimley. To the right of the Mayor, Archbishop Heenan of Liverpool is seated.

Here the Bishop and Archbishop are pictured amidst a great crowd of local clergy. Some of the priests pictured are still working in the Diocese today.

A smaller group - perhaps local priests - are seen here with Monsignor Brimley. We know the names of some of those pictured, but would be grateful for any further information. Click on each picture for a slightly larger version, and if you can shed any light on those pictured, please contact us.

The Centenary I

2009-09-18T06:52:00.006+01:00

Today we begin a series of three posts on the centenary of St Peter's church, which was celebrated in 1959. Clearly these celebrations took place in October, but we feature them a little early to allow space for posts on the consecration of the church and its 1995 rededication when the October 4th anniversary comes round. This first post features the liturgical celebrations.

Bishop Flynn, Lancaster's second ordinary, celebrated Pontifical High Mass in the Cathedral on Sunday 4th October 1959, one hundred years to the day since the church had been consecrated. Here he is seen making his way towards the west doors, assisted by two priests acting as deacons. These vestments were bought to mark the centenary, and are still in use in the Cathedral today.

The sermon at Mass was delivered by Archbishop John Heenan of Liverpool, who is seen here about to enter the Cathedral. He is assisted by two members of the Cathedral Chapter and is seen wearing his cappa magna.

Here the Archbishop (who later, having been transferred to Westminster in 1963, became Cardinal in 1965) makes his way across the lawn at the front of Cathedral House. Clearly the celebrations were considered to be a success; the notice book entry for the following Sunday, 11th October 1959, records, "The Archbishop and the Bishop were delighted with the day's proceedings and were pleased to see so many of you at the services. May God bless you all."

1604: Venerable Lawrence Bailey

2009-09-16T07:24:00.001+01:00

This final picture of the martyrs' plaque, taken on their feast day (7th August) 2009, is given to mark the death of Venerable Lawrence Bailey. Although the plaque records his date of death as unknown, Canon Billington's very brief account gives today's date as the anniversary of his execution. Here are our historian's words in full: "In the same year [1604], on 16th September, Lawrence Baily, a yeoman who had assisted a priest to escape from the pursuivants, was hanged at Lancaster as a felon on that account." Lawrence Bailey (or Baily) is the only one of the fifteen recognised martyrs who has not been beatified; he is also the one about whom we know the least.

1901: Cardinal Vaughan at the Baptistery

2009-09-15T07:00:00.003+01:00

In August 1901 the new baptistery - which had cost £4000 to build - had been opened and the altar consecrated. It was on this day in that same year that the first sermon was preached there by a very distinguished visitor, as Canon Billington explains: "The late Cardinal Vaughan visited the church soon after this baptistery was completed, and was so pleased with its beauty that he preached a sermon which he wished to be considered the 'opening sermon', thus connecting himself with the new building. This was on September 15, 1901; it was the only visit he paid to St. Peter's after he had neem created cardinal, though he had frequently been in earlier times."

1859: The Cathedral Spire

2009-09-14T06:39:00.003+01:00

The Cathedral's beautiful 240ft spire is 150 years old today. In some ways it's an unlikely anniversary, given that at one stage the building of the spire was in doubt. Canon Billington tells the story: "Dean Brown had resolved not to open the church in debt, but his funds came to an end before the spire was erected, and it looked as if the church would have to be left unfinished for a time. It was known that Mr. William Marsland intended to leave money for the spire, and in order that there might be no delay it was arranegd that he should have an annuity of £50 during his life and give the capital sum at once. Thus the whole was completed without a stoppage, and the cross was fixed in position on the spire on September 14, Holy Cross Day, only three weeks before the consecration."

Later the Canon gives some details of the cross itself: "The spire is surmounted by a copper cross, 9 feet 10 inches high and 4 feet across." It was regilt in 1900, when some of the stonework around it had to be replaced, as this earlier post reveals. Meanwhile, the donor of the spire, Mr William Marsland, received his annual £50 payment several times, and had the pleasure of seeing his spire built, before his death on 23rd May 1863.

1641: St Ambrose Barlow

2009-09-10T06:38:00.002+01:00

The Benedictine priest Ambrose Barlow, one of two canonized Lancaster Martyrs, died on this day in 1641. Canon Billington tells us that he is "venerated for his saintly life and apostolic labours as well as for his glorious death." He was born at Barlow near Manchester in 1585. He converted to Catholicism in 1607 and went to Douai and Valladolid to train for the priesthood; he joined the Benedictines in 1616, and soon after came to England. Canon Billington tells us a little about Barlow's encounters with another Lancaster saint: "He was several times imprisoned for religion. On one such occasion he had ministered to Father Arrowsmith, and it is related that this martyr, on the day he suffered, appeared to Barlow, then in South Lancashire, and gave the warning or prophecy: 'I have already suffered. You also shall suffer; speak but little, for they will be upon the watch to catch you in your words.' " After celebrating Mass on Easter Sunday in 1641 he addressed a congregation of about 100 Catholics; during his address the house was attacked by Protestants led by thier minister. Barlow was captured and sent to Lancaster. Sentenced to death, he replied with the words, "Thanks be to God", and prayed for forgiveness for his persecutors. He walked three times around the gallows while reciting the penitent psalm Miserere (psalm 50/51). A skull preserved at Wardley Hall, Worsley (now the residence of the Bishop of Salford) is said to be his.

The Reordering II

2009-09-07T06:26:00.003+01:00

While much work was going on at ground level, those with a head for heights were busy working in the upper part of the Cathedral. Fortunately some photographs were taken, and this top image in particular provides a wonderful view of the organ loft and Te Deum window, seen from above. This picture appears to have been taken from a height of about 50 feet.

At a slightly lower level, but still requiring scaffolding, here we see work taking place in the Lady Chapel. Clearly much of the stencilling and decorating work has already been completed.

This job was certainly not for the faint-hearted. The painter at work here is right at the top of the Cathedral, some 70 feet above the floor. The fine ceiling decoration which we enjoy today is thanks to his and his colleagues' efforts.

The Reordering I

2009-09-06T07:04:00.001+01:00

Up and away - the 1909 altar is about to be moved from its 1970s position. Today and tomorrow we feature a few pictures of work taking place for the 1995 reordering of the Cathedral. The altar seen here is about to be moved back to something like its original position; the triptych would later be reinstated above it.

After yesterday's post about the marble steps, here we see them going back into their original pattern. The wood and carpet which had so long obscured them is already gone, though to this day the carpet can still be seen in the ground floor of Cathedral House.

At the crossing of the transept, a new sanctuary is being constructed. This required the removal of a number of rows of benches, but had the great advantage of allowing a larger sanctuary which appears more central in the layout of the church.

Now we know what's beneath the tiled flooring.

Screened off from the nave, work on the new sanctuary continues here. The memorial to Dean Brown, who founded the church, can be seen on the pillar at the right of the picture. Francis Roberts, the architect who masterminded the scheme, is also seen here, on the far right.

Finally, a picture of the new altar during its assembly. The new cathedra (bishop's throne) can also be seen behind. Tomorrow we feature a couple of images of high-level work taking place.

The Marble Steps

2009-09-05T06:14:00.000+01:00

At the foot of the 1909 altar there are black and white marble steps, which were placed there at the golden jubilee as part of the altar and triptych design. The chequered pattern is clearly visible in this photograph.

Now spot the difference! It seems that the layout was changed, to consist of black and white stripes, after the church was raised to cathedral status in 1924. Thus it remained until it was carpeted over in the 1970s; finally, in the 1995 reordering, the steps were returned to their original layout.

At the very top left hand corner of the 1909 triptych is an image of Our Lady holding the Baby Jesus, with an altar-like structure behind her and cherubs in attendance. Look at the floor: it seems likely that this small detail of the triptych was intended to tie in with the new chequered floor below.

1939: War is Declared

2009-09-03T07:27:00.002+01:00

On this day in 1939, just a few weeks into the episcopacy of Bishop Flynn (pictured), Britain declared war on Nazi Germany. In Lancaster, Mass had begun at 10:30am and was continuing as Mr Chamberlain, the Prime Minister, broadcast to the nation at 11am. Towards the end of Mass Monsignor R. L. Smith entered the sanctuary and directed the celebrant to make the addition to the Prayer for the King in time of war; he then went to the pulpit and announced to the congregation that a state of war existed between Britain and Germany. It was a particularly harrowing announcement for the Sisters of St Catherine, who had come from Germany less than 18 months earlier.

Bishop Flynn, who in appearance at least may be described as the 'Churchill of the north', demonstrated characteristically strong leadership in this time of crisis. His message for the outbreak of war was issued, with a decree that it be read at all Masses in the Diocese. Here are his words in full: "We have the fullest confidence in the power of prayer to avert from us the worst terrors of war. But whatever evil may befall, we must conduct ourselves with Christian fortitude, and be on our guard against any panic, for panic would probably cause far greater loss of life and injury generally than any bombs. Although much of our diocese is a receiving area, and no part of it is an evacuation area, we know that there is always the possibility of an air raid. To-morrow all our people will be praying before the Blessed Sacrament exposed for a speedy termination of the great evil which is now hanging over the world, for the safety of the country, and for the preservation of themselves and of all those dear to them. The advice of the A.R.P. authorities should be carefully followed. If warning of an air raid is received, those in the streets should at once seek shelter; crowding should be avoided and all discipline should be observed. Our faith in God is a source of strength in a time of trial. Those who live by it will enjoy a confidence which is the best guarantee against panic.”

The Hueber Chalice

2009-09-02T07:09:00.002+01:00

This chalice, which is dated 1708, once belonged to a Fr Christopher Hueber. An inscription on its base suggests that it came to St Peter's on 3rd September 1876, presumably upon the priest's death. It is still sometimes used at Mass.

1974: Diocesan Jubilee

2009-09-01T07:16:00.001+01:00

Preston's Guild Hall was chosen as the venue for celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the Lancaster Diocese in 1974, as the notice book entry for 1st September that year records: "Celebrations for Golden Jubilee of the Diocese – Mass in Guild Hall, Preston – Sunday 29th September at 3.00pm. Entrance by ticket only – we are allowed 33 places – so [there is a] list for names for tickets and tea, which will be provided at 75p each. First come first served – so please put names on the list by next Sunday at the latest."

1964: Our Lady's High School

2009-08-30T07:41:00.008+01:00

45 years ago today the new Catholic High School for Lancaster was blessed and opened. Although it is outside of the Cathedral parish (it falls within the boundaries of St Joseph's, Skerton) it has many connections with St Peter's: many children from this parish have attended the school, it replaced some of the earlier school provision on the Cathedral site and Monsignor Brimley, at that time Administrator of the Cathedral, was influential in its establishment.

The new school, dedicated to Our Lady, clearly attracted a large number of clergy at its opening. A fair number of people can also be seen inside the new building.

Our Lady's was blessed by the Apostolic Delegate to Great Britain, Archbishop Igino Cardinale. He later went on to be Papal Nuncio to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union. Sadly - given his name - he was never made a cardinal; he died in 1983.

Here Archbishop Cardinale is seen with the Bishop of Lancaster, Rt Rev. Brian Foley. It is a sign of the significance of this event that the Apostolic Delegate agreed to come for the blessing.

Clearly members of the Cathedral Chapter were present, and here the Archbishop is assisted by two canons. The cope he is wearing belongs to the Cathedral; it is part of a set of vestments purchased for the centenary of the church in 1959.

To this day a plaque in the school (which is now known as Our Lady's Catholic College) marks the event. Our thanks are due to Mr J. Burscough for assisting us with this post.

1628: Blessed Richard Hurst

2009-08-29T06:31:00.001+01:00

The day after Edmund Arrowsmith's martyrdom another Lancaster martyr went to his death. Richard Hurst (or Hayhurst) was a farmer from Preston. His story is a little unusual, as Canon Billington relates: "Hurst's arrest had been ordered as a convicted recusant, and one of the pursuivants in attempting it received a blow on the head, and also broke his leg; he died, and Hurst was charged with murder, conticted contrary to justice, and executed. His real offence was his religion, and his life was promised him if he would take the oath." On the way to his execution he was met by Mr King, the vicar of Lancaster, and was asked about his faith. He replied, "I believe according to the faith of the holy Catholic Church." Canon Billington gives us the following details of his death: "He kissed the gallows on reaching the place of execution, and disregarding the ministers present, recommended himself to God, and begged the prayers of the Blessed Virgin, his angel guardian, and all the saints, especially St. John the Baptist, it being the day of his decollation. Ascending the ladder, he repeated the names of Jesus and Mary, and so was put to death."

1628: St Edmund Arrowsmith

2009-08-28T06:50:00.002+01:00

Edmund Arrowsmith, a Jesuit priest and one of two Lancaster Martyrs to have been canonized, was executed in the city on this day in 1628. He was born at Haydock in 1585 to parents who had also suffered for their faith; his father had been imprisoned at Lancaster for a time. Educated at Douai, he came back to England in 1613 and joined the Jesuits in 1624. Canon Billington quotes a contemporary of Arrowsmith who said of the priest, "though his presence was very mean, yet he was both zealous, witty and fervent, and so forward (in disputing with heretics) that I often wished him merrily to carry salt in his pocket to season his actions, lest too much zeal without discretion might bring him too soon in danger, considering the vehement sudden storms of persecution that often assailed us." Arrested and then released in about 1620, he was captured again in 1628 after being betrayed by a Catholic who had a grievance against him "on account of a marriage dispensation." Billington also quotes William Leigh, whom he describes as "the famous Puritan rector of Standish", as saying that if not stopped Arrowsmith "would make half of Lancashire papists." Having been condemned, the Jesuit was taken from Lancaster Castle on 28th August 1628; St John Southworth, who at that time was imprisoned in Lancaster, gave him absolution as he crossed the castle yard. Southworth was later executed at Tyburn, close to present-day Marble Arch, London. Billington tells us that at 12noon, the time fixed for Arrowsmith's death, "Lancaster was emptied, all crowding the place of execution, Protestants hoping to see him waver, and Catholics confident in his virtue and constancy." As he mounted the scaffold he asked for the prayers of Catholics present, and his final words were "Bone Jesu" - "Good Jesus". His body was quartered and displayed at Lancaster Castle as a warning to others, but a hand was retrieved and is to this day preserved at St Oswald's church, Ashton-in-Makerfield.

1850: the Cemetery

2009-08-28T06:45:00.002+01:00

On this day in 1850 Bishop George Brown of Liverpool blessed the new St Peter's cemetery. As yet there was no school, convent or church on the site. Canon Billington gives a few short paragraphs on the cemetery, noting that the site was improved by the government inspector and laid out according to his instructions; he also notes that four Masses are to be said each year for those buried in the cemetery. The central cross is not the original, he tells us: "A cross, designed by Mr. Paley, was erected in the centre of the ground in 1851. After it was blown down by a storm in 1896 it was replaced by a new one in 1899, the gift of Mr. Richard Smith." Billington notes that by 1886 nearly all the burial plots were sold and most Catholics were after that time buried in the public cemetery, a portion of which was reserved for Catholics and blessed by the Bishop around November 1855.

1928: Organ and Choir

2009-08-28T06:40:00.000+01:00

This handbill gives the progreamme for a concert of organ and choral music led by Dr J. H. Reginald Dixon and featuring the Cathedral Choir. The concert, which appears to have been held to welcome visiting organists, took place on this day in 1928.

1901: the baptistery altar

2009-08-27T06:49:00.001+01:00

The baptistery altar was consecrated on this day in 1901, as Canon Billington records: "The baptistery was designed by Messrs. Austin and Paley. It is octagonal in form, with groined roof of flecked Runcorn stone, and is lighted by four two-light windows. On the east side there is an altar, containing relics of SS. Innocent and Justus, martyrs. It was consecrated on August 27, 1901, and is used on Maundy Thursday as the altar of repose; mass is sometimes said there on the festival of the saints. The front of the altar has a panel showing the baptism of our Lord. The arcaded reredos contains statues of four saints: Thomas of Canterbury, Chad, William of York, and Richard of Chichester. The altar was carved by Boulton of Cheltenham."

1901: The Whiteside Altar reconsecrated

2009-08-26T06:39:00.001+01:00

On this day in 1901 the altar in the Whiteside Chantry (pictured) was reconsecrated. This is somewhat unusual, and the circumstances surrounding it are not entirely clear. Here is Canon Billington's account of the altar's history: "The altar was first consecrated on October 5, 1859, by Dr. Turner, Bishop of Salford. The front has two panels, each containing the figure of an adoring angel. The reredos has a carving of the Agony in the Garden, by Lane of Birmingham. The dedication is to the Agony of our Lord and the Apostles John and James the Great. On August 26, 1901, the altar was reconsecrated, the lid of the sepulchre containing the relics having been broken and the relics damaged; other relics had to be substituted, viz. some of SS. Felix and Placida, martyrs." It remains a mystery as to how the relics could have been damaged.

Canon Billington gives little other detail about the Whiteside chantry, other than reproducing the text of the Whiteside memorial on the far wall and commenting that the railings are more elaborate than those in the neighbouring Coulston chantry. A final remark notes that the chantries cost between £500 and £560 each.

1939: the threat of war

2009-08-24T07:09:00.001+01:00

The threat of war was looming large over Lancaster, as much of Europe, at this time back in 1939, as a notice book extract for 24th August that year reveals: "Now that the world is threatened with destruction, it is absolutely necessary that we should follow the advice of our Holy Father and turn to God in continual prayer – not just during the time of a crisis, but always pray that the leaders of nations will practice justice in their endeavours to settle the many so called problems of strife. Thus we appeal to you to turn to your God and pray most earnestly for peace – attend the public prayers – Mass, Rosary, Benediction at all times and show a sincere trust and confidence in the power of God."

1970s Gala Days

2009-08-22T06:56:00.006+01:00

Back in the 1970s the citizens of Lancaster were entertained with yearly Gala Days, in which the Cathedral played a great part. There were floats and costumed people parading through the city, and other celebrations taking place.

Here are two Cathedral parishioners dressed as Wombles at the 1974 Gala Day.

And here, a year or two later, parishioners take the role of characters from the Magic Roundabout.

1945: The War is Over

2009-08-19T06:50:00.004+01:00

On this day in 1945 celebrations were being held at the Cathedral to mark the end of the Second World War, a few days after Japan surrendered and the long and bitter conflict came to an end. An extract from the notice book for 19th August 1945 reads as follows: "Today at 10.30 Solemn High Mass of Thanksgiving for Victory and Peace – the local regiment will send armed guard to present arms at the elevation. On this solemn occasion, the Bishop has given permission for the National Anthem at the end of Mass instead of the usual prayers for the King. This is forces day and so the benches on the Gospel side from second pillar to back of church reserved for forces. No special collection today." A few days later, on 25th August, a full peal was rung on the Cathedral bells to mark the end of the war. Later this month and in September on Billington's Blog we will hear a little about how the Cathedral parish and the Diocese coped with the outbreak of the war in 1939.

Summer in Hornby

2009-08-17T06:52:00.001+01:00

Those who know the small village of Hornby, a few miles outside of Lancaster, will recognise its castle on the skyline of the photograph above. All of these pictures were taken at Hornby at an event marking the centenary of the death of the celebrated priest and historian Fr John Lingard. He died on 17 July 1851, so we can presume that this event took place somewhere around the same date in the summer of 1951. Although the date of this blog post is, therefore, a month late, the images are too good not to share!

Clearly Mass was celebrated by Bishop Thomas Bernard Pearson, the auxiliary bishop who had been ordained a couple of years ealier. Here he blesses the huge crowd which had gathered.

The scale of the event is extraordinary, as can be seen from these images. Clearly Catholics must have come from all around the surrounding area (perhaps even from further afield) to celebrate the anniversary.

Amongst those who played their part were a team of bellringers from the Cathedral, who rang the bells in Hornby to commemorate the anniversary. If some of the faces look familiar, you may have seen them before: click here to be reminded!

1894: A Lancastrian Enthroned

2009-08-15T07:18:00.002+01:00

115 years ago today the 37-year old Lancastrian priest, Thomas Whiteside, was consecrated Bishop of Liverpool at St Nicholas' Pro-Cathedral, Copperas Hill. The Lancaster Times printed no less than forty-four column inches on the consecration, under the heading, "The New Roman Catholic Bishop of Liverpool - A Lancastrian Enthroned." The principal consecrator was Cardinal Vaughan, Archbishop of Westminster; he was assisted by Bishop William Gordon of Leeds and Bishop John Bilsborrow of Salford. Bishop Whiteside played a large part in the golden jubilee celebrations at St Peter's in 1909, consecrating the new altar, celebrating Mass for the reopening of the church (after the various works carried out for the jubilee) and officiating at Benediction on the same day. He also made a well-documented visit to Lancaster in November 1894, a few months after his consecration; we shall hear more of this later. You can read a little more about Archbishop Whiteside in an earlier post, here.

1687: early signs of dawn

2009-08-12T07:18:00.003+01:00

After the death of the last of Lancaster's Catholic martyrs in 1646, it became at least a little safer for Catholics to practise their faith. Lancaster Castle (pictured), for so long a place of imprisonment for Catholics, became a little less threatening. Canon Billington's narrative speaks of "a brief interval of religious liberty both for Catholics and Protestant Dissenters" during the reign of King James II (1685-1688). He reprints some short extracts from a diary written by Thomas Cartwright, the Bishop of Chester, who visited Lancaster "at assize time, when one of the judges was Catholic". An entry for 12th August 1687 records, "I went with Judge Powell, a colleague of Allibone, to the [parish] church. Sir Richard Allibone and the Catholics went at the same time to the school house, where they had mass and a sermon." Allibone, the judge referred to, had a brother who was a priest. Canon Billington notes that "During this assize (August 16 1687) the Corporation of Lancaster enrolled both the judges among their freemen; also Sir William Gerard, Sir Thomas Clifton and a few other Catholic gentlemen." It would be another 140 years before Catholic Emancipation in 1829 gave a fuller degree of freedom to Catholics, but perhaps these entries record the first signs of a new dawn for Catholic freedom. It is interesting to note that the list of priests who have been resident in Lancaster begins at about this time: the plaque in the Cathedral displays a list dating from 1678.

A bishop back in time

2009-08-10T07:14:00.004+01:00

Bishops may not be used to being outdressed, but here Bishop Foley concedes defeat as he meets some people in period costume. As far as we know this picture is from the Martyrs' Rally held on 17th May 1963.

The Site of Martyrdom

2009-08-09T07:07:00.004+01:00

Earlier in the year we heard a little about the Martyrs Rallies which have taken place in Lancaster over many decades. These pictures show a gathering at the execution site; the scale of these events is impressive.

Clearly there was a procession to the site; the clergy here, wearing red stoles for the martyrs, take their part in the procession. The date appears to be sometime in the 1970s.

1646: Blessed Edward Bamber, Blessed Thomas Whitaker, Blessed John Woodcock

2009-08-07T06:11:00.003+01:00

On this day in 1646 three priests were executed in Lancaster on account of their religion. After sixty years of executions they were the last to be martyred in this city, and on account of this August 7th is now kept as the feast of the Lancaster Martyrs. Canon Billington records, "The three were drawn together to the place of execution on August 7, 1646, 'the Catholics being much comforted and edified, and the Protestants astonished and confounded to see that cheerfulness and courage with which these servants of God went to meet that barbarous and ignominious death to which they were condemned." Canon Billington tells us a little about each of the men:

Blessed Edward Bamber

"Bamber was of the Fylde, and lay three years in prison before his trial, the wars preventing the regular holding of the assizes. Two fallen Catholics swore that they had seen him baptize and marry, which was considered sufficient proof of his priesthood."; "Bamber, the first to suffer, absolved a condemned felon at the place of execution"; he then suffered, in Billington's words, a "parculiarly barbarous" death.

Blessed Thomas Whitaker

"Whitaker came from Burnley, where he was born in 1611. and where his father had been master of the school and must therefore have been a conformist. He was educated at Valladolid, and after ordination laboured on the mission from 1638 to 1643, when he was arrested, and lay in Lancaster Castle till his trial. His time there was spent in prayer and in acts of charity to other prisoners." Canon Billington also records that he was a "timid man, and greatly afraid of death", and therefore tempted by those around the gallows who promised him life if he renounced his Catholic faith. He remained firm, however, and, as Billington tells us, "commending his departing soul into the hands of his Saviour, he was despatched."

Blessed John Woodcock

Woodcock's two companions were secular priests, but he was a Franciscan. Canon Billington writes, "Woodcock, in religion Father Martin of St. Felix, was born at Leyland in 1603, the offspring of a mixed marriage; he was brought up as a schismatic or heretic, but after his conversion at the age of twenty, was educated at St. Omers and Rome. He was received into the English Franciscans in 1631. About 1640 he was sent on the English mission, but returned to his convent, to die there as he supposed. In 1643 or 1644 he obtained leave to return to England, but was captured immediately after his arrival in Lancashire, and kept for two years in prison in the castle... Woodcock was specially distinguished by the expressions of thanksgiving with which he heard his sentence."

Wedding Season

2009-08-06T07:54:00.003+01:00

August is often a month of weddings; in recognition here are a couple of pictures of wedding services in years gone by. The images above and immediately below clearly show the same ceremony, and also reveal something of the unsatisfactory nature of the temporary liturgical arrangements that were put in place after Vatican II. A temporary altar and lectern can be seen in the sanctuary, though it appears that the pulpit was still in use.

Here the vows are being made.

This final image is clearly a good deal older, though the exact date is not known.

Provost William Walker

2009-08-04T06:40:00.002+01:00

On this day in 1849 William Walker, the second rector of St Peter's Church, was ordained priest at Ushaw College, Durham. He had been born at Layton Hall near Blackpool on 2nd August 1820 and went to study at Ushaw when aged 15; after his ordination he remained there for a further seven years as professor of humanities, poetry and rhetoric (in succession).He was then given charge of St Augustine's, Preston, where he remained until coming to St Peter's in January 1869. He was made Provost of the Chapter of Liverpool (in which Diocese Lancaster then was) in 1889. The image of him here is taken from Canon Billington's parish history, which also gives some information about the contribution which Provost Walker made: "He continued the work of his predecessor [Dean Richard Brown] in beautifying St. Peter's Church and increasing its usefulness, for he too loved the beauty of God's house. He published little guides on the occasion of the blessing of the bells and the opening of the great windows in transepts and nave. The schools were enlarged by him in 1878; a former pupil teacher, George Sergeant, was ordained priest in St. Peter's in 1891. Provost Walker was a man of culture and genial manners, very popular among his brother clergy and his flock, and in general esteem with non-Catholics; he was generous to a fault, impoverishing himself that he might give to others." Canon Billington, who succeeded Provost Walker as rector of St Peter's, also records that Provost Walker "served on the burial board and the Infirmary Committee, and in other ways took part in local movements."

Monsignor Slattery and the thief

2009-08-03T06:58:00.005+01:00

Monsignor Francis Slattery, who took over from Monsignor Brimley as Administrator of the Cathedral in 1975, is pictured here. He served at the Cathedral until 1987, and was Provost of the Chapter until 2009. He currently serves as Parish Priest at St Herbert's, Windermere. Monsignor Slattery won a mention in this week's Lancaster Guardian newspaper, which (in the nostalgia section) reproduced a report first published on 3rd August 1984. It tells of how a burglar had entered both Cathedral House and the neighbouring convent and had taken a total of £208. When the man fled, having been disturbed by Convent superior Sister Colette, Monsignor Slattery gave chase, and was soon assisted by two local men. The thief was eventually caught on Moor Lane just outside the Duke's playhouse. It may have been one of the less significant events in the history of the Cathedral, yet it gives a small insight into the varied duties of Cathedral clergy - and even Administrators - over the years.