Fr Ketterer thanks Monsignor (Canon Tonks?) for advising of the purchase of "The "Elms". Will make contact later about going there.
The letter is also a covering note for his last quarter's accounts of which the car seems to "lap up money", although he rarely travels outside of his district.
Wymondham
251 Archive Record results for Wymondham
Writes to Monsignor (assumed to be Canon Tonks): Receipt for Bishop's generous gift to the Mission enclosed. Post Office has acquired the piece of meadow, rendering the site too narrow for Church & Presbytery. Describes the nature of planned expansion in Wymondham. Has identified a site 10 minutes walk from current address. Has obtained pews & chairs for the two churches in Wymondham and Dereham. Increased seating accommodation, more dignified and silent when congregation sit or stand.
Ketterer, John Joseph Rev SJ (-1973)Writes to Monsignor (assumed to be Canon Tonks): Has "move in" but still to get order out of chaos. Painters to finish on Wednesday. Needs estimates from Canon to check on the work being done. Furnishing achieved and is fairly comfortable. Asks for advance of £40 to pay the painter who is doing a good job.
Ketterer, John Joseph Rev SJ (-1973)Writes to Monsignor (assumed to be Canon Tonks): Estimates for work already done. Describes additional work and work in wake (chimney and guttering made good and watertight). Additional charge of £9 for the greenhouse; painter done an extra small room and other work for free.
Estimate 1 dated 22-4-1938 from F Standley for rewiring of The Elms
Estimate 2 dated 21-4-1938 from FC Forkes for painting , papering and renovations
Sub-heading: "Responsible for building of three new churches"
Photo: Fr Cowin at his desk in Wymondham Church presbytery
Text: Career summary. After 19 years Fr Cowin is moving on to St Joseph's College, Ipswich and is being replaced by Fr Denis Brophy.
On 16 December 2018 Fr Pat Clearly marked 40 years since his ordination. He was also installed as Parish priest at Our Lady and St Thomas of Canterbury in Wymondham.
The Catholic Universe (1860-2021)Page 1 covering letter for 1929 accounts, and asking for £50 grant.
Page 2 balance sheet for 1929 showing £355 for the year
Alternative property for purchase - a yard at back of Mrs Goodings currently occupied by Southgates of Fakenham as a motor depot. Now closed and probably up for sale. Suggesting making an offer both for Southgates' yard and for Mrs Goodings' garden. Then there would be room for Church and Presbytery.
Phillips, Thomas Kemp Rev (1883-1947)Requesting leave to have Benediction on Sunday and Thursday each week. Vicar General gave temporary permission. Mass attendance is slowly increasing but many "lapsi" and those who are remote reduce regular attendance.
Phillips, Thomas Kemp Rev (1883-1947)Rain fell through the roof during Mass on to the Sacred host making it impossible to break at communion. Roof needs to be covered with "Rubberoid" - no idea of cost and has no funds for this. Can he advertise in the Catholic papers?
Phillips, Thomas Kemp Rev (1883-1947)Fr Phillips is informing the Bishop of two properties he would like to buy. There are plots of land available outside the town but these two are in the centre and offer the best possible site for Church and Presbytery. Whilst he is not certain that he could obtain either he asks for permission to try. He offers options and has identified another house which could serve as a presbytery opposite to the site he is interested in. He has spoke at length with the Vicar-General today.
Pages 3 & 4 are a location plan and property particulars respectively.
[Property A, on Middleton St., is half of Caius House, a well built gentleman's residence converted to a dwelling and two shops. Property B, at junction of Church St. and Market St., is a pre-reformation Guild Chapel in good state but no roof. ]
The Mission depends on Fr Phillips investment income which is shrinking rapidly. He lives as economically as possible without a Sunday off since coming from Rome 8 years ago. He needs an additional £30 per year. If not possible then can he be moved to another parish with a lighter burden on his income? Glad to serve as a curate anywhere. Can send financial details if required.
Phillips, Thomas Kemp Rev (1883-1947)Writing from Norwich Presbytery (currently helping out), Fr Philips restates the contents of his letter of 30-3-1928 to Canon Tonks. House adjoining his Church has been offered to him, he has accepted it. Can manage with his present funds but not to buy furniture he asks the Bishop to grant £50 for Mission furniture, or, give permission to appeal via Catholic newspapers for furniture.
Manuscript annotation: "Arranged with Canon Tonks your funding to write you giving permission to rent house next Church and to send you £50 for furniture. Apr 19 / 28."
Enclosed do for Universe & other papers? "Hope last paragraph can stand!" Cannot fix Mass and other service just yet. 9 am Mass on Sundays only fixed. Everything will be arranged for insertion into the Catholic Directory. Congregation of 25, 18 communicants. Visiting: "Lapsed" is a mild description of some cases
Manuscript annotation: "Answered. Sent back notice which he sent to 'Tablet', 'Universe' & 'Catholic Times' for [illegible] him. Aug 11 / 26."
Fr Phillip asks id the Diocese will take on his Life Insurance Policy - pay the premiums (£6-17-9 per annum) and pay him £111-1-0.
The Bishop did not go to Wells as expected and Fr Phillips says how sorry everyone was not to see him - hopes he will be fit again soon.
"Lapsi" causing him concern - they know little and care little. But, a small nucleus of solid Catholics help. Church maintenance being done; gas has been laid on under hire arrangement at 26/- per year. 30 at Mass; more could come but expensive to get here - perhaps could say a Mass at Attleborough for the 7 or 8 who have difficulty getting here.
Phillips, Thomas Kemp Rev (1883-1947)Refers to a discussion with Mgr Freeland about a notice in the Catholic papers regarding Wymondham [no subject given]. Would Bishop consider an application from a prises about to leave a religious order? This priest can get testimonials from his order and the Vicar General of his Diocese, he also has some years experience as a PP.
Manuscript annotation: "Send times of Mass, etc. at Wymondham. I'll send the papers. [rest illegible]... Aug 6 / 26"
Acknowledges the refund of the Cathedraticum.
Phillips, Thomas Kemp Rev (1883-1947)Last grant received was in Nov 1927 (£50 for finishing Presbytery). He is overdrawn and has several accounts which will not be paid.
Manuscript annotation: "Hope the £50 reached you safely. Feb 22 / 29"
Moved on account of sickness in landlord's family. Have had to buy a bed and several other articles. Needs £50 to cover items which would be necessary for furnishing a Presbytery in the future. Already has mission property: bed, chair, roll top desk.
Phillips, Thomas Kemp Rev (1883-1947)