The wooden church
|
|
|
The Altar was originally positioned against the back wall of the Church underneath the crucifix. In the early 1970's it was decided by the then Bishop Geoffery Burke and the Right Reverend Thomas Holland that the Priest should face the congregation during Mass, so the altar was moved forward just behind the top step.The tabernacle ws situate on a matching marble pedestal in the position it is today. Mass times were 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am and evening Mass at 6.30pm. Weekday masses were at 7.30am and 8.25am to enable people to attend before work and children before school. At Christmas time the present crib figures were positioned under the stairs as you enter Church (where the disbled toilet is now situated). Parish group at this time was St.Vincent De Paul.
Father Power was made Canon shortly before his retirement due to ill health after 26 years service to St.Stephen's. He died shortly afterwards.
Father Bulfin was then appointed Parish Priest. During his time he removed part of the altar rail and the gates, also the gates to Our Lady's altar. He moved the baptismal font from the gated area in the porch to the front of the church near Our Lady's altar. He was also the burser for the Diocese of Salford, he was moved to enable him to concentrate on this posting. Thr headmistress at the school at this time was Miss Peggy Connoughton. The caretaker was Tom McDonagh who replaced Tom Shortall.
Father Power was made Canon shortly before his retirement due to ill health after 26 years service to St.Stephen's. He died shortly afterwards.
Father Bulfin was then appointed Parish Priest. During his time he removed part of the altar rail and the gates, also the gates to Our Lady's altar. He moved the baptismal font from the gated area in the porch to the front of the church near Our Lady's altar. He was also the burser for the Diocese of Salford, he was moved to enable him to concentrate on this posting. Thr headmistress at the school at this time was Miss Peggy Connoughton. The caretaker was Tom McDonagh who replaced Tom Shortall.
