Priests of The Woolton Mission

and Saint Mary’s Church

Part 1 The Benedictines

stbenedict The Benedictines for many years provided chaplains to the Molyneux family.

In 1704 Woolton Hall was built for Richard the Vth Viscount Molyneux. Benedictine chaplains had already served the Molyneux family at Sefton Hall (which has long since been demolished)

1715 – 1717 R. Holme OSB

1717- 1731 L. Kirkby OSB

Woolton Mission Founded 1731

1731- 1732 William Laurence Champney OSB

1732- 1755 Placid Hutton OSB

1755- 1766 Edward Bernard Catterall OSB

Saint Benet’s Priory, Watergate Lane

1766 – 1781 Edward Bernard Catterall OSB

1781- 1782 John Bede Brewer OSB founder of Ampleforth College in Yorkshire

Assistants at the Priory sometime in the above years S. Hodgson and J Calderbank

1822 – 1824 J.J. Jenkins OSB

1824 – 1855 S.M. Philips OSB

1855 – 1861 R.P. Burchall OSB

The current church’s foundation stone was laid 11^th September 1859 and the church was opened on 28^th October 1860. The Presbytery and school were erected in 1869.

The Church was known as Saint Benet’s until 1881 when it became known as Saint Mary’s.

1862 – 1873 J.P. O’Brien OSB

1873 – 1880 P. Whittle OSB

1880 – 1891 W.Bede Prest OSB

1891 – 1894 H.G. Murphies OSB

1895 – 1896 J.W. Richards OSB

1896 – 1897 C.J. Fitzgerald OSB

1897 – 1909 Ambrose.A. Pereria OSB

1909 A.F. Fleming OSB

1909 – 1913 Vincent Corney OSB

1913 – 1919 H.M.Campbell OSB

1919 – 1928 J.M. Kelly OSB

1928 E.D. Fennell OSB

Assistant priests during the above years

B.M.Sutter OSB, A.J.McEvoy OSB, T.L.Almond OSB, Vincent Corney OSB, H.W.McKay OSB, P. O’Callaghan OSB, J.R.Riley OSB , J.G. Dolan OSB, C de Neubourg OSB, J.R. Rylance OSB, L.S.Cave OSB, E.D.Fennell OSB, R.V.Gilbertson OSB, J.M.Kelly OSB, F.A.Harrington OSB, T.P. Worsley-Warwick OSB

In 1928 the Benedictines then departed after two centuries of service

Part 2 The Mill Hill Fathers

The Mill Hill Fathers had a very short tenure at St. Marys lasting just three years

Mill Hill Fathers become Rectors

1928 – 1930 Fr. Herman Drontman

1930 – 1931 Fr. Martin Onsten

Assistant: Fr. William Ross

Part 3 Secular Priests

Part 3 Secular Priests

The first secular priest Fr. Charles Gelderd was appointed by Archbishop Richard Downey in 1931.

Parish Priests		Assistant Priests (Residents) and Permanent Deacons
1931 – 1947	V.Rev. Dr. Charles Gelderd	1932 – 35	Fr Brendan Chapman
		1935 – 40	Fr Francis Clayton
		1939	Fr John P. Mahony
		1940 – 43	Fr Edward Crowley Fr Patrick Neligan
		1943 – 48	Fr Stanley Baker
		1943	Fr Finian O’Connor
		1945	Fr Cyril Pilson
1947 – 1980	V. Rev. Cannon Edward Murphy	1946 – 52	Frs George Hickson & Francis Ripley
		1950 – 58	Fr Patrick Higgins
		1952	Fr Vincent Gaskell
		1957 – 59	Fr Patrick Rose
		1958 – 61	Fr Michael Gaine
		1960 – 66	Fr James Collins
		1961 – 63	Fr Peter Doyle
		1962 – 64	Fr Gerald Willacy
		1963 – 65	Fr Louis Hanlon
		1964 – 69	Fr Joseph Howard
		1966 – 70	Fr Bernard Bimson
		1969 – 71	Fr Cyril Thomas
		1970 – 73	Fr Kevin Ashton
		1971 – 73	Fr Francis Goulbourne
		1974 – 75	Fr Bernard Bimson
		1974 – 79	Fr Christopher Crowley
		1977 – 84	Fr James Lahiff
		1979 – 85	Fr Brian Crane
1980 – 1989	V. Rev. Mgr. John P. Mahony	1985 – 88	Fr Robert Starkey
1980 – 1989	V. Rev. Mgr. John P. Mahony	1988 –1996	Fr Thomas Wood
1989 – 1999	V. Rev. Mgr. Peter W. Ryan	1997 - 2011	Deacon Adrian Dickinson
1999 - 2011	Rev. Fr. Patrick O’Brien		Deacon Adrian Dickinson

Part 4 The Redemptorists

stalphonsus As Fr. Pat O’Brien’s retirement approached, the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer better known as the Redemptorists were asked by Archbishop Patrick Kelly to take over the Pastoral Care of St. Mary’s. This would be in addition to their parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation of Bishop Eton. The Parishes would not be merged but would continue to exist in their own right.

Fr. Tim Buckley C.Ss.R was appointed as Parish Priest with Fr. Barrie O’Toole C.Ss.R as his assistant. Other priests resident at Bishop Eton Monastery although not formally assigned to the parish would be available to say Mass etc Following his ordination Fr Charles Randall C.Ss.R was assigned to the parish.

The Redemptorists served St Mary's till September 2025, when St Mary's returned to the Archdiocese. During the 14 years in which the Redemptorists cared for St Mary's there was a successful awakening day, the fruits of which the cross parish women's group and youth justice and peace group continue to today. Other highlights of this time was the work led by Ann O'Neil (parish Administrator) to become a Dementia friendly parish with regular Afternoon teas and exercise sessions, and a couple of pilgrimages.

Parish Priests		Assistant Priests and Permanent Deacons
2011-2025	Fr Timothy J Buckley C.Ss.R	2011-2019	Deacon Adrian Dickinson
		2011-2018	Fr Barrie O'Toole C.Ss.R
		2012 -2024	Deacon Bernard Rigby
		2017-2019	Fr. Charles Randall C.Ss.R

Part 5 Secular Priests

Parish Priests		Assistant Priests and Permanent Deacons
2025-	Fr Peter McGrail	2025 -	Fr Peter Murphy
		2025 -	Deacon Peter Renwick

Priests past and present