Documents relating to Roman Catholic Parishes, priests and parishioners have been deposited with the Cambrisgeshire Archives.
The listings are extracts from their catalogue.
Diocese of Northampton
89 Archive Record results for Diocese of Northampton
"The Duke of Norfolk's archives form one of the largest private collections in the country. Those kept at the Castle include all the family papers and the southern estate papers (Norfolk, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex and London). The northern estate papers, except title deeds, are on loan-deposit at Sheffield Record Office and Hull University Library. The collections at Arundel comprise documents from the 12th century to the 20th century."
There are many documented connections by the Duke's family with the locale of what is now the RC Diocese of East Anglia and the Diocese of Northampton.
Their clients, the Trustees of Northampton Roman Catholic Diocese, are anxious to establish another parish and church in King's Lynn. Will the council sell some of its land (3/4 acre?) in Reffley Lane for this purpose?
Phelan & AgutterDiscussion about a letter from Fr Brewer regarding Nottingham Diocese contacting them about the potential for a secondary school placed in a central position to serve a district on either side of the diocesan boundary and two LEAs.
Sammons, Francis Ethelbert Clowes Rev (1925-1975)"The Historic Buildings Council for England has considered your application on behalf of the Northampton Roman Catholic Diocese Trustees for a grant towards the repairs to the Red Mount Chapel, King's Lynn." "... grant of £725 to meet 50% of the cost of Phase I repairs...". List of conditions. Guidance on payment of grants.
Department of the EnvironmentBishop Clark will be repsonsible for the lease - need to contact the diocese's solicitors and discuss with them how the lease may be altered.
Wilson, Peter John Rev MA FCAWith the establishment of the new Diocese of East Anglia, (plus the creation of West Norfolk DC), there is a need to revise the lease for Red Mount Chapel if Bishop Clark is to take on the responsibility for its maintenance, etc.
West Norfolk District Council (1974-)Addressed to "Ben".
Form letter [issued to parish priests] addressing explanations for financial issues:
- insurance system changed - new company (Catholic National Mutal, £100 excess, extended cover). Royal Insurance Group contineus to insure cars and Clubs. Need to inspect heating systems annually.
- simpler annual financial return
- Annual report of St Francis' Children's Society [not present] - thnaks for hospitality for accomodating staff on appeals
- Covenant processing
- all cheques to be made out to the "Diocese of Northampton" (even when from East Anglia)
Affirmation signed by Fr Malone relating to following the Tridentine tradition. Signed upon appointment as PP at Huntingdon. Countersigned by Bishop Cary-Elwes.
manuscript annotation: "ven. Curiae Episcopali transmittendum"
Renewal Notice to "The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton" - policy for £950 with a premium of 19/6d. [Cover for Huntingdon church/presbytery?]
CorrespondentReceived from the Board of Finance of the Diocese of Northampton, £70 for the Huntingdon mission. Signed by Fr Lockyer
Lockyer, Frederick W Rev (-1954)Form from the English College for Fr Malone's dispensation to take food between masses. 75 lira tax and 5 lira agency fee.
CorrespondentNot impressed that the Diocese has a £22-15-0 debt on St Neots. This money he supposes was for a fence that the buyer of some land had been told to fence at his own expense. The debt was applied to St Neots without telling the priest in charge until seven years later.
Malone, John F Rev (-1970)The Abbot accepts the role as trustee for the endowment from Mr Banham's will.
manuscript annotation: "Wrote thanking. Also to RE Banham saying Abbot Ramsey accepted to act as trustee and to say that, subject to Fr Worswick's approval, appointed Dr Helsham. Also wrote to Fr Worswick telling him of the arrangements."
The notes contain the proposals for the trustees for the Banham £1000 endowment:
- The Bishop of Northampton is always a trustee
- The Abbot of Downside (or an OSB appointee) is the second for as long as the Beccles remains a Benedictine mission - goes to Northampton Diocese if that ceases
- A lay trustee from Beccles congregation in consultation with the Beccles' rector and Bishop of Northampton.
Write to RE Banham, the Abbot of Downside to this effect.
Collation of newsletters, notes and comments by Fr McCormick.
pg1: title page with map of Northampton Dioses pre-1976
pg2-4: comments by Fr McCormick on hid life as a Travelling Missionary. Note: the newsletters (produced from February 1961) are scanned from the remaining copies he had, "I lost quite a few ... production was somewhat erratic."
pg4-6: newsletter No.1 8 February 1961
pg6-7: newsletter No.2 10 May 1961
pg7-9: newsletter No.4 1 November 1961
pg9-11: newsletter No.5 1 February 1962
pg11-12: newsletter No.6 14 May 1962
pg12-13: Travelling Mission entry for Diocesan Year Book 1963
pg13-15: newsletter No.7 1 February 1963
pg15-17: newsletter No.8 15 August 1963
pg17-18: newsletter No.9 21 January 1964
pg18-20: newsletter No.10 16 July 1964
pg20-21: Travelling Mission notes for Diocesan Magazine 15 April 1965
pg21-22: Changes in the Liturgy of the Church [personal view]
pg22-23: Newsletter No.11 21 April 1965
pg23-25: newsletter No.12 16 March 1966
pg25-26: Travelling Mission Notes 2 June 1970
pg26: Travelling Mission Notes 15 July 1970
pg26-27: Travelling Mission Notes 4 August 1970
pg27: Travelling Mission work in Stowmarket Parish (May 1979 - for Parish magazine)
Pg27-28: Travelling Mission Mass Centre at YUp Well, Norfolk 1959-1975 (27 July 1982 - notes written for Diocese of Northampton)
Pg28: Postscript - "In August 1975 Bishop Charles Grant of Northampton closed down the Travelling Mission. He told me he had reluctantly decided to do this in view of the pending division of the Northampton Diocese in June 1976 and the setting up of the new Diocese of East Anglia. Needless to say there was great sadness in all Travelling Mission Mass Centres. After seventeen years as Diocesan Travelling Missioner I too was greatly saddened! As I mentioned on the first page of this brief outline of the Travelling Mission work I can once again see the day when in order to keep the presence of the church alive in the community today there will have to be another form of mobile approach. Alas I am no longer strong enough to do such work but could, I am sure, give any interested bishops a few hints and tips!"
pg1: index
pg2-3: letter to Ransomers, signed Laurance Goulson, Master of the Guild
pg4: The Wilderness - image of rubble and scrub
pg5: Mass in the Cafe - image of priest elevating the host with a number of worshippers, crockery in the foreground (annotation: "Robert L McCormick")
pg6: The Travelling Chapel - image of Fr McCormick's converted bus (annotation: "Robert's mobile chapel")
pg7: Inside the Bus: Image of Fr McComick saying Mass (annotation: "Robert saying Mass in mobile chapel")
pg8: The Temporary Church: image of front of church with priest, ladies and children. (annotation: "St Matthew's / Barton Le Clay (Beds) 1961 / This was my record - from my first visit when there was no church to getting this was six months and then they got a permanent church"
pg9: A Church at Last - image of a church. (annotation "This is the new church at Newmarket opened in 1966")
pg10: What the priests say (6 comments from diocesan priests).
see also NTM-02-01-7
Reverse: "Fr Mac2's Pre Vat II Portable Altar - No. 3.
This is as described in the photo at Long Melford. But this was taken in a pub bar in Holt, Norfolk
Altar No. 3"
Image of altar fully dressed.
Reverse: "Fr Mac2's Pre Vat II Portable Altar - Third Model.
This altar was made of oak by my friend. It was completely one folding unit. The op opened up to form the reredos, the bottom folded down to form the legs, the cabinet between the top and the bottom contained all the other mass requisites. Including the telescopic credence table! The whole altar fitted into a heavy brown canvas cover with carrying straps. See Landrover photo when I was loading all my gear! Taken in a house at Long Melford (Suffolk)(haunted?!)
Altar No. 3"
See also NTM-02-01-10 - same image
Reverse: "Fr Mac2's Second Pre Vat II Portable Altar. See the pony club photo & landrover photo when loading it up.
Altar No. 2"