our history
1935–1938: Beginnings
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The parish of St Stephen’s Droylsden was established in 1935, with the first Mass celebrated above the Co-Op at the Toll Bar.
Father Malone served as the first Parish Priest, and his sister, Miss Nora “Mollie” Malone, became headmistress of the new school. Early parish life was full of spirit — pantomimes, parish dances, and even operettas. |
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The wooden church (1938-1957)
In 1938 the Parish was able to purchase a wooden Church, which was situated behind where the current church stands (which is where the nursey is now). The original wooden hut was moved to become a classroom for the school.
The wooden Church was consecrated and here Mass was held. Mass times were 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am and benediction at 6.30pm.
Father Malone started a small procession after the Crowning of Our lady in May which took place at the end of Mass and followed the route from the wooden Church on to Sunnyside Road, round on to Chappell Road and on to the school hall, from where people disbanded.
The wooden Church was consecrated and here Mass was held. Mass times were 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am and benediction at 6.30pm.
Father Malone started a small procession after the Crowning of Our lady in May which took place at the end of Mass and followed the route from the wooden Church on to Sunnyside Road, round on to Chappell Road and on to the school hall, from where people disbanded.
1938–1957: The Wooden Church
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In 1938, a wooden church was purchased and set behind the site of our present building. It became the beating heart of the parish for nearly two decades. Father Malone began the May Procession tradition, and Sundays were filled from morning Mass to evening Benediction.
The warmth of community filled even the simplest space. |
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1958–1959: The Foundation Stone
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Parishioners dreamed of something lasting — and their generosity made it possible. The foundation stone of the new brick church was laid by Bishop Beck on January 18th, 1958. Designed with a marble interior and altar by Alberti Lupton & Co., the church opened debt-free in 1959, consecrated under Father James Power. The stone remains beneath the pulpit — a symbol of enduring faith.
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1960s–1980s — Growing Community
Parishioners dreamed of something lasting — and their generosity made it possible. The foundation stone of the new brick church was laid by Bishop Beck on January 18th, 1958. Designed with a marble interior and altar by Alberti Lupton & Co., the church opened debt-free in 1959, consecrated under Father James Power. The stone remains beneath the pulpit — a symbol of enduring faith.
1970
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.
1989–2013 — Father Fallon’s Years
Father Willie Fallon served St Stephen’s for 25 years with gentleness and faith.
He oversaw improvements to make the church more accessible, cared deeply for parishioners, and is fondly remembered by all.
His memorial plaque reads:
“The harvest is rich but labourers are few.”
He oversaw improvements to make the church more accessible, cared deeply for parishioners, and is fondly remembered by all.
His memorial plaque reads:
“The harvest is rich but labourers are few.”
2017–Present — A Modern Parish with Deep Roots
The parish of St, Stephens Droylsden was established in 1935. It first celebrated mass in a room above the Co-Op at the Toll Bar,
Market Street. The appointed Parish Priest at this time was Father Malone and his sister Miss Nora Malone (known as Mollie) came as the headmistress of the new school.
Under the ministrations of Father Malone, with his hard work and that of the parishoners, St.Stephen's began to grow as a parish and a community. Miss Malone played the piano and with the involvement of the orchestra formed by Father Malone, an operatic society was formed putting on such performances as Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore. A parish dance was held in the school after benediction on Sunday. At Christmas the men of the parish would write, direct and perform a pantomime for the rest of the parish. Also a Christmas fayre was held in December, many other fundraising events were also held. This led to the purchase of a wooden hut to serve as a Church and was heated by coke burning stoves, the Presbytery and school were built at this time. The school caretaker was Mr Tom Shortall.
Market Street. The appointed Parish Priest at this time was Father Malone and his sister Miss Nora Malone (known as Mollie) came as the headmistress of the new school.
Under the ministrations of Father Malone, with his hard work and that of the parishoners, St.Stephen's began to grow as a parish and a community. Miss Malone played the piano and with the involvement of the orchestra formed by Father Malone, an operatic society was formed putting on such performances as Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore. A parish dance was held in the school after benediction on Sunday. At Christmas the men of the parish would write, direct and perform a pantomime for the rest of the parish. Also a Christmas fayre was held in December, many other fundraising events were also held. This led to the purchase of a wooden hut to serve as a Church and was heated by coke burning stoves, the Presbytery and school were built at this time. The school caretaker was Mr Tom Shortall.
New beginnings (Early 1958)Once the the present Church was built, the wooden Church and its contents were sold to another Parish in Moston.
The Parish groups at this time were :- Agnesian's - for younger girls of primary school age. Children of Mary _ girls of secondary school age and above. Cub's and scout's - boys from primary school onwards. St. Vincent De Paul. Women's Confraternity. The original St.Stephen's wooden Church 1958. A Wedding ceremony, Father James Power Parish Priest. The picture below was of the inside of the church was taken during one of the last weddings held in the church in 1958. Below The crowning of Our Lady in the wooden church. |
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the foundation stone (1958 - 1959)
The present brick Church was built between 1958-1959 with a marble interior and Altar by Alberti's, was started whilst Father Malone was still Parish Priest but sadly by the time it was completed and consecrated he had been moved. The presbytery as mentioned earlier was completed a number of years before the Church..
Father James Power was appointed as the new Parish Priest and due to the generosity , in many cases sacrifices of the parishoners was able to arrange the consecration of the new Church on the 12th May 1960. a record short time as all the funds had been raised to pay for the build.
The consecration of the interior and exterior of the new Church of the Parish of St.Stephen's was carried out by the then Bishop of Salford, the Right Rverend George.E.Beck. The stone commemerating this event is situated under the pulpit.
Father James Power was appointed as the new Parish Priest and due to the generosity , in many cases sacrifices of the parishoners was able to arrange the consecration of the new Church on the 12th May 1960. a record short time as all the funds had been raised to pay for the build.
The consecration of the interior and exterior of the new Church of the Parish of St.Stephen's was carried out by the then Bishop of Salford, the Right Rverend George.E.Beck. The stone commemerating this event is situated under the pulpit.
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 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 Fallon was next appointed to the position of Parish Priest and remained here for 25 years until his retirement shortly before he sadly died. Mass times were 9.30am, 11am and 6.30pm. There were no curates from this time on.
Due to lack of numbers the St.Vincent De Paul group was disbanded. Father Fallon had the disabled toilet fitted at the back of church which meant the crib was relocated to the altar area at Christmas time. The headmaster at the school was Raymond Morris.
Due to lack of numbers the St.Vincent De Paul group was disbanded. Father Fallon had the disabled toilet fitted at the back of church which meant the crib was relocated to the altar area at Christmas time. The headmaster at the school was Raymond Morris.
Father Tierney was appointed in 2013 to July 2017. In which time he redecorated parts of the house and replaced the central heating system. Money was raised through the Social Committee with kind cooperation of the parishioners to pay for all the kneelers in Church to be repaired and recovered. Prior to this work more space at the rear of the Church was created by repositioning and removing some of the benches. Following this
the aile's and the altar were recarpeted. An unpopular action was the removal of the marble altar which has now been replaced with the modern one we have today.
the aile's and the altar were recarpeted. An unpopular action was the removal of the marble altar which has now been replaced with the modern one we have today.
In August 2017 Father Bernard Wilson M.A.was appointed Parish Priest and has been faced with the completion of the refurbishment of the house. The redecoration of the church had been started when the altar area was complted during Father Tierney's time. The rest of the interior has now been fully redecorated under Father Wilson's guidance.
We now have a modernised Church and a new Parish Priest to guide us all forward in Faith.
We now have a modernised Church and a new Parish Priest to guide us all forward in Faith.
Several curates have been appointed to St.Stephens over the years:-
In Father Malone's time there was
Father Murphy - He played for the parish football team and if you tried to tackle him he would say 'Confessions on Saturday' or '1 Our Father and 3 Hail Mary's'.
Father Handley.
Father Hennessey - He was partiel to an apple and blackberry pie.
In Father Power's time there was;-
Father Carey - Asked one of the parishoners to put his bets on for him as he thought it was unseemly to see a priest in the bookmakers.
Father Wilson.
Father Morris.
Father Edward Morrisey - Came in 1966 he remained for the next 11 years before accepting the honour of Parish Priest at St.Edwards,:-Rusholme.
Father Seamus Quigley.
In Father Bulfin's time there were :-
Father Quigley.
Father Corconan.
Father Duncan McVicker.
Father Rodney Nelson - From South Africa.
The anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone at St.Stephens.
The pictures below show this event on 18th January 1958.
