Sacred Heart Church

BEFORE the 1870’s, there were perhaps only around thirty members of the Roman Catholic Church living in Redcar. With the opening of the ironworks came many Irishmen and their families seeking work, bringing with them strong Catholic beliefs. In 1874, Canon Riddell held services at a small church in Lord Street. Three years later a new place of worship was opened for the Roman Catholic community. The first church of the Sacred Heart was built in Thrush Road and accommodated two hundred and twenty worshippers. Forty years later, the new Sacred Heart Church was opened in Lobster Road and the old building was passed on to the Methodist Church who still use it today.

church early 1900s

A lovely pcture showing the interior of the new Sacred Heart church on Lobster road. The first person to be baptized in the new Sacred Heart church was Lawrence Seaten of Warrenby,Lol remained a devout member of the church all his long life.

Baptism

The first person to be baptized in the new
Sacred Heart church was Lawrence Seaten of Warrenby

early 1900s

Canon Gryspeert
Parish priest at Sacred Heart
1916 - 1934

1900s

Golden Jubilee

1963

A photo of the Clergy in front of the Presbytery on Lobster road. taken in 1963. left to right Father Manley, Monsignor Brunner, and Father Ryan.

Oct ober 1983

A Redcar catholic priest was given a testimonial by his congregation for his service to the parish. Reverend Father Desmond Cush has left Sacred Heart church for an appointment in Richmond but his parishioners could not let him go without a grand farewell. They hired the ballroom in Redcar leisure centre and staged a social evening with more than three hundred guests and clergy from the area among them was Canon Robert Carson from the cathedral at Middlesbrough who will take over at Redcar. In recognition of the work Fr Cush has done at Sacred Heart over the past sixteen years he was presented with a cheque for £2000. He said I am moving on to a new challenge in a different setting, but I shall never forget the people of Redcar who are very special to me,It is a wonderful place to live and work and they have given me tremendous support over the years. an article from the Evening Gazette Pictured front row left Father Desmond Cush, Mrs O'Neil, Mrs Cush (mother of the priest)& Miss K Durkin. standing behind are Mr Kenny,Mr Bill Moore,Mr Robin Bell & Harry ? these gentlemen supported and worked alongside Father Cush, refurbishing the beautiful Sacred Heart church.

1950s

The beautiful Sacred Heart Church before the Statues,and the Altar Rail were removed.

Date

Warrenby families gathering on Lobster road, for the procession at Sacred Heart. included in the photograph are left to right Audrey Lambert,Theresa Conner,Linda Lambert, Kathleen Lambert, in white far is Ann ? can anyone name the group of children on the left, photo is courtesy of Kath nee Lambert

May procession

Children gathering at Sacred Heart church on Lobster road Redcar, for the May Procession, Susan & Stephen English pictured at the front Courtesy of Pat English

1938

The official opening of St Williams Church Dormanstown The young altar boy just visible is Terry Knight courtesy of Jim White

1947

Participants in the May Queen ceremonies from Sacred Heart School in 1947 and 1948. The first picture includes the full "Court" for 1947. The only names that I now remember from all the girls chosen for the honour. are (myself Pat Peirson (front, kneeling second from left), and three of the girls at front right: seated Marie Logan, kneeling Carmel Learman and Glenys O' Callaghan. I think the girl standing behind Marie, to the right of that year's May Queen was called Thelma Moon.

from left to right: Carol Ellerton Pat Peirson, Glenys O'Callaghan and , I think, Claire Fleming Two lovely photographs & information courtesy of Pat Mc Namee nee Peirson

1945

May Queen Margaret Knight with her attendants left Eileen Warrior cushion bearer, & Peter Hockney & Harry Hudson were train bearers

2nd generation

on the right, The May queens daughter Angela Thompson, on the left is Carol Hudson who is the niece of Harry Hudson. (pictured above) courtesy of Margaret Thompson nee Knight

date

St Williams Dormanstown procession

1968

David & Angela Thompson in the grounds of St Williams 1968