Bishop writes: included copy of letter to Mr Osborne (Director of Education, Isle of Ely Council) ; received plans of a church which would be suitable for March - St Mary's Littleborough (nr Rochdale); Lost a pair of grey old kid gloves in presbytery or at Parson's.
Parker, Thomas Leo Rev (1887-1975)Bishop writes: Would Mr Osborne (Director of Education, Isle of Ely Council) permit RC children to attend religious education prior to school start (9.45am). Been done elsewhere successfully where there is no denominational school; especially when there are a number of evacuees. Reassuring for them.
Parker, Thomas Leo Rev (1887-1975)1949: Proposal plus drawing of new church from CW Glover & Partners; surprise that Evening Standard is carrying news of the project (leak?); initial cost £10,000; Bishop warns to proceed carefully and consider room for expansion of flock; initial comparison with church at Sopsley, Luton.
1950: Construction method novel & causing concern; Ministry of Works limit on churches is £5,000; Architects to review costs & extendability; Bishop says no decision made yet; Fr Gaffney unhappy with evasion & delays; Canon Hunting suggests budget up to £7,500, and other limits on the project.
1951: Fr Gaffney suggests leaving out tower, sanctuary & sacristy to come within budget; approval to proceed (but watch the architects ("the very devil")); notice given to tenant to vacate the plot; various exchanges about detail of the design; MoW refuse licence to build; Bishop nervous about cost and asking if a contract has been signed and by whom - need for permission from Rome before agreeing to proceed; Fr Gaffney responds that the amount is right for the work and he is monitoring closely; CW Glover advise using architects has a cost and better £400 is advanced to avoid "Carey Street".
1952: Bishop embarrassed and provides a history as he sees it - Fr Gaffney to stay within budget and not pay for schemes (whether realised or not ) costing 10 to 15 thousand pounds; Fr Gaffney lets off steam to Canon Hunting - "..if you can get another sucker to come here.."; MoW approve licence for £7,500 project to build the church; Timber & steel licences in place; Building cost estimates range from £10,000 to £11,560, but architect may be able to prune £1,000; Bishop sticking to original budget, problems getting a loan - other churches being built for similar amount e.g. Wymondham at £6,000; design modifications to meet budget e.g. to height, type of facing bricks; foundation stone wording agreed, Bishop to bless it on 15 August 1952; Vapoulles Ltd and Alberti designs for font - Alberti get the contract; internal layout (seating, lighting, flooring) and fitting out discussed.
1953: windows, lighting, flooring, organ (secondhand?); Consulting Engineer enjoyed the weekend in March and the Passion Play; 9 May, Bishop of Menerva sends congratulations on the opening of the new church and recalls local preacher being impressed by the distance he walked to get to church in Thorney; final account for £8,200 dated 25 June 1953.
Form registering the Church of "Our Lady & St Peter" for Marriages. Certificate number 20626
Signed by the Superintendent Registrar, George Sharman on 7-10-1913
1979 - Fr Smith informs Bishop that the Anglican Vicar offered Catholics first refusal on mission hall in Chatteris. £3000 in kitty; perhaps could sell presbytery. Bishop suggests keeping the two issues apart and think through whether this is needed pastorally. 1981 - Bishop not for a new church in Chatteris; summary (unsigned but probably by Fr Peter Wilson) sets out position regarding loan & anonymous donation - there is friction as some in Chatteris congregation believe they were promised a Church and they were saving for it. Frank Molyneux (parishioner who does the parish accounts) supports Fr Smith's view that Chatteris retention of collection funds (as allowed by Fr Donald Hillier) did not benefit the parish as a whole. Fr Smith understands that this situation arose back in Fr Gaffney's time. Two letters from parishioners (Green & Rudd) set out the Chatteris perspective on the expectation for their own Church. Fr Smith hopes to take a shorthand writer to take notes at a meeting with parishioners in April. He will make his & the Bishop's position clear. It was a difficult meeting. Bishop asks Fr Smith to "Cool it": concentrate on Sisters' arrival and Presbytery nearing completion. Fr Peter Wilson will be brought in to aid Fr Smith. FR Smith is disappointed in the Chatteris people who cling to the desire for their own Church - but not enough to form a sustainable congregation. But at least he now knows who the agitators are. 1988 - suggestion of sharing Church with the Anglicans - this would replace the community hall they currently use in Chatteris. The vicar, Fr Myhill, will discuss it with his council and understands the Bishop makes the final call. Bishop good with the idea; there are a few considerations, but Fr Smith can explore the opportunity. The PCC meeting minutes support the idea but "no poaching by either side" and "no incense at any time"! Bishop says go ahead for a 3 to 5 year trial.
Smith, James M RevCopy of the summary composite account for work executed at the Presbytery & Church at March.
W Palmer & SonPostcard showing March Church with a cleric stood by doorway. It is possible to make out the word "Allen" on the last line of the noticeboard - perhaps it is Fr Louis Allen in the image.
UnknownEncloses suggested plan (sketch) for new church. Anxious to start to find money now. Suggests making use of existing walls & to add on 30ft which would include sanctuary, sacristy & vestry for servers. Architect's rough estimate is £2,300. If Bishop approves he will get more detailed specifications and plans.
Clare, Wallace George Rev FRSA, FIGRS (1895-1963)Fr Page had told him Bishop would want to know if Church had a damp course. Fr Clare says it has. He would think builder would not bother to put one in a Granary.
Bishop annotation: "Thanks. But have you never considered future use of Barn - Church as a club room? Feb 23/26".
Enclosed plan & Frost's sketch of 1st portion of new church for March. Describes proposal in detail & reason for various aspects. New sacristy also needed. He would like to dedicate the Church to Our Lady of Walsingham as theirs was the first in the diocese to install a statue of Our Lady according to original model. If Bishop approves plan, he will send specifications. He encloses cheque for cathedraticum from Deanery clergy
Clare, Wallace George Rev FRSA, FIGRS (1895-1963)Missing Ramsey Register worries him - dates back to Fr Duffy & start of mission at March. Vestments stored in damp room in Ramsey; Ramsey Ciborium in March, Altar & other linen shared between Ramsey and March. Bp Keating fell through Ramsey floor (work done quickly after that). Congregation extremely nice people - repaired ceiling and wall boarding. Fr Duffy affected by his years in Ramsey and would not serve it after going to Huntingdon so the congregation left or joined CofE.
Clare, Wallace George Rev FRSA, FIGRS (1895-1963)paid for the Altar Breads to December - so your account starts from January. Notes about St Wendreda; thinks he may have some. Diocese has £1365. If plan put into operation, £1500 would cover costs leaving £135 to be found. Sketch in hands of bishop.
Clare, Wallace George Rev FRSA, FIGRS (1895-1963)Fr Gaffney makes clear the layout/situation with his church. He will sing Mass of Our Lady as o Missal for 26 April (as sung annually on the Patronal Feast). Old church locked - not allowing non-catholics to see it stripped. If this is not acceptable the Bishop must find someone else to take over before 19th.
Gaffney, William J RevBishop has thanked Ely Council Education Committee regarding Religious Instruction for RC children. Fr Lydiate must ensure children attend and get back to school on time to avoid complaints. An altar stone secured for the Italian Camp - 30 shillings credited to account by Fr Hunting (manuscript annotation) - Bishop regards it as his when use finished. Plans for a potential church sent, Bishop wants Fr Lydiate to study them. Similar church in North Walsham built just before the war and Fr Lydiate encouraged to go and see it. Councillor Mallet is written to about jewellery. Return of chalice - check it is satisfactory and if it has been fire-gilt. Fr Mortimer Flanagan will be claiming back his furniture from March when he starts at Swaffham. Bishop hopes Fr Lydiate will be able to make suitable arrangements for his own furniture.
Burditt, Noel Rev (-2000)Housekeeper, N Smith, writing for Fr Page who is unable to use his hand to write & since his seizure is forbidden to travel. Statement & bills are correct. Fr Clare left nothing to pay with & there is nothing in hand from there. Fr Page pleased to have help from Fr Thomas.
Page, George Joseph Rev (1864-1937)Postcard showing a school boy group with a priest sitting in centre. Alice Askew was a photographer in March from 1916 until she retired in 1953. It is possible that this is a photograph of the boys at Fr Clare's school in the 1920s. He did require a particular type of uniform to be worn.
Alice AskewNewspaper cutting from the Cambridgeshire Times recording the first brick to be laid. Mr Vanderweyden (who provided a Chapel for the Catholic Community) is laying the brick watched by Mr HR Mallett, Fr Gaffney, Mr MJ Sampson of Prefabricated Constructions Ltd who are building the Church.
This image taken at same time as cutting image.
Mounted image of March Church (1912) with uniformed chauffeur standing beside a car (index number LD 6466).
UnknownSee list associated with this archival record
VariousLicence from Ministry of Works permitting the construction of the new church in March.
Ministry of Works