These are the history pieces which appeared in the Batley St. Mary of the Angels and Birstall St. Patrick’s bulletin during October 2026. As the parishes are jointly administered and a single bulletin produced, the history pieces are not solely focused on St. Mary of the Angels, although St. Patrick’s was not formed as a separate parish until 1905. Prior to that it was part of St. Mary’s.
As part of the St. Mary of the Angels One-Place Study I have written in more detail about some of these events, and where this is the case the link to the fuller piece is included.
03/04 October 2026
86-year-old Miss Mary Ann Mortimer died on 06 October 1936. She was born at the Pheasant Inn on Geldard Road to miller Thomas Mortimer and his wife Annabella (formerly Clapham). The family claimed to be Birstall’s first Catholic residents since the Reformation. Her mother ran a pawnbroker’s shop at Smithies Lane, and Mary Ann followed her into this occupation, running her pawnbroker’s business from her Cross Street home. She also had an extensive property portfolio in Birstall. She and her family played an important part in the foundation of St. Patrick’s, the church, with Mary Ann and her aunt, Mrs. Martha Matthewman, each providing £500 towards the building costs. She remained a generous benefactress to the parish throughout her life. Educated at Richmond College and in France, she was a talented musician and played the organ at St. Patrick’s, having at one time undertaken that role at Heckmondwike’s Catholic Church. She was buried in Birstall parish churchyard on 09 October, following a requiem mass at St. Patrick’s.
Jane Roberts – Parish Historian, Website: https://pasttopresentgenealogy.co.uk
10/11 October 2026
Sunday 12 October 1952 marked the start of a two week “rosary crusade” at St. Mary’s, in an effort to introduce family prayers into Roman Catholic homes throughout the parish. Parish priest Father Laurence Gallons said that the idea of the crusade was that Batley would become a town of prayer. Very Rev. Father Ronald Lloyd and Rev. Father Edward Bolder, two missionary Fathers from the De Montfort House, Leeds, helped to conduct the crusade. They made daily house calls, along with Father Gallon and his two curates, Fathers Patrick Creed and Denis Monaghan. They also preached special sermons each evening, regularly attended by over 400. On Monday 20 October 653 were present at Novena services, and after benediction Father Gallon dedicated and distributed Miraculous Medals. During the course of the two weeks over 150 people promised to say 15 decades of the rosary for every day of the crusade, with many committing to say five decades every day for the rest of their lives.
Jane Roberts – Parish Historian, Website: https://pasttopresentgenealogy.co.uk
17/18 October 2026
Sunday 20 October 1946 marked the fourth, and final, night of St. Mary’s Operatic Society’s production of “The Bohemian Girl,” performed in the Parochial Hall before large and appreciative audiences. Much of the credit for the show’s success was given to its producer, Mr. Anthony (Tom) Farrar, who later entered the priesthood. The show’s musical director and accompanist, Mr. Cyril North was also praised. Miss Margaret Lucy Scanlon ably undertook the role of conductor. Mr. Thomas Brennan was in charge of lighting effects, which showed to full advantage the scenery supplied by Dodsworth and Spencer of Bradford. Mary North played the part of the Bohemian Girl, Arline, for the first night, before being taken ill. It meant that Mary Judge stepped into the lead role at short notice for the subsequent shows, and gave what was described as a pleasing portrayal. Rita Kelly was the Gypsy Queen, Andrew Callaghan played Devilshoof, and Michael O’Hara was Thaddeus. Other leading parts were played by Vincent Gallagher (Arline’s father Count von Arnheim), Richard North (Florestein) and Donald Healey (Captain of the Guard). Proceeds from the show were in aid of the New School Building fund . For more information about this production click here.
Jane Roberts – Parish Historian, Website: https://pasttopresentgenealogy.co.uk
24/25 October 2026
The St. Mary’s Old Boys’ Association held their third annual dinner on 26 October 1955. Councillor James Harkin received a surprise presentation of a clock and silver cigarette case, to commemorate his election as Batley’s first Catholic Mayor earlier that year. Michael Frain, the Association’s Chairman, made the presentation. One of the biggest welcomes of the evening was extended to John Brennan, spending an extended holiday in England following his emigration to Australia. He had made the move aged 65, when drawing his old age pension. He was due to return to his home in Melbourne, Victoria, the following March.
Jane Roberts – Parish Historian, Website: https://pasttopresentgenealogy.co.uk
31 October/01 November 2026
On 29 October 1923 the Birstall Catholic community suffered a huge loss with the death of lifelong Birstall resident, John Maguire (65). The numbers of Catholics throughout the district who attended his funeral on 02 November demonstrated the high regard in which he was held. He filled most of the parish offices open to layman, and was linked with many of the parish’s religious organisations. He was prominently associated with the Confraternity of the Sacred Heart, and devoted his later years to the Birstall Catholic Young Men’s Society, of which he was a founder. He worked hard for the Birstall Branch of the Irish United League, and was treasurer of the Birstall Branch of the Irish National Foresters, also being that Order’s Sub-Chief Ranger for Yorkshire. He helped organise the parish’s annual Whitsuntide processions and subsequent children’s treats. He was also a life governor of Batley Hospital. His wife, Bridget, died in 1894. Survived by two sons and three daughters, he was employed as a blacksmith for over thirty years by Birstall engineers, Messrs. Douglas Lawson and Co. Ltd.
Jane Roberts – Parish Historian, Website: https://pasttopresentgenealogy.co.uk
