Brief History
Canon Arthur Diamond founder of the Parish
In 1944/5 Mass was first celebrated in the parish by Mgr.Emery
Parish priest of St Elizabeth's church Foleshill in an industrial
hostel. On 20th January 1946 Mgr. Emery celebrated Mass in the
new
Masser Road community centre. Mass continued to be celebrated here
until: In1948Mgr.Emery
bought a house, 44 Roland Avenue. When Canon (then Fr.and a curate at
St Elizabeth's) Diamond was sent to found a parish in the area he lived
in this house and weekday Masses were celebrated in the conservatory of
the house, the weekend Masses were at Masser Road community centre.
The Parish of Holy Family was officially and formally established on
1st September 1951
The temporary building, known affectionately as 'The Hut' (it was
a black wooden structure similar to those used as army huts) opened for
Midnight Mass in December 1952. The temporary building was also used as
two classrooms for 80 children.
The Beake Avenue/PennyPark Lane site was purchased on which to build a
church, church hall, house and school.
The primary/junior School was built in 1955 .
The Hall was built in 1957/8 and the extension in 1978/9.
The presbytery was built in 1958.
Permission
for the building of the new church was given by Archbishop Grimshaw in
November 1964. Plans were drawn up in 1964, lanning permission obtained
in 1965. In 1965, construction began on the new church. Most of the
cost was raised from the parishioners, who also to save money gave
their time and labour.
The Foundation stone was laid by Archbishop George Patrick
Dwyer on
the feast of Corpus Christi 9th June 1966.
The church seats about 850 people.
The church was officially
opened on 1st July 1967 by Archbishop Hyginus E. Cardinale, Papal
Delegate to great Britain.
On 31st august 1974 the parish went into a period of great
mourning as Fr Diamond was tragically killed in a Road accident.
Fr Diamond's body is buried under the
Lady altar in the Church.
The Hall extension was
built in 1975/6
Parish Priests since
Canon Diamond
2004 - present
Fr. D.J Devenney
1954 - 1960 Fr Molloy
1960 - 1966? approx Fr McDonnel
1960 -
1966 Fr Eamon Clarke
1966 - 1972 Fr Pat Killgarif
1970 - 1977 Fr Oliver
Kemp
???? -???? Fr McPartland
1972 - 1973 Fr John Berry
1975 - 1981 Fr
Gerry Hanlon
1975 - 1978 Fr Eric Morgan
1979 - 1980 Fr Aldo Luigi
Tapparo
1980 - 1984 Fr Michael Cottrel
1984 - 1985 Fr Kevin Preston
1981 - ??? Fr Eric Woodhead
1985 - 1989 Fr Michael White
1989 - 1993 Fr
John Laybourn
1974 -1981Canon B. McKenna
1981 - 1986Fr.W. Boyle
1986 - 2004Fr. A.E. Donlon
Other priests (curates and assistant priests who served in the Parish)
In 1989/90 Fr
Donlon
Refurbished the inside of the church. The walls were
painted of white, replacing the rather dull grey, new carpets fitted.
The sanctuary area was altered extensively and a new smaller altar
installed. The choir stalls behind the altar were removed and the choir
now sings from upstairs in the 'Choir loft' at the back of the
church. The Stained
glass
window was installed, which together with the repainted walls
made the church interior much brighter. The new 'Stations
of the cross' were commisioned completed and installed. New
lighting was also installed, as well as being brighter, the new
lighting has warm yellowish glow which makes the church feel warmer.
The PA system was renewed, so now we have both static and radio
microphones and amplification for the choirs and a 'Loopsystem' for the
hard of hearing.
In 1978 Newbold Revel a Catholic Girls school near Rugby run by the
Sisters of Charity of St Paul closed down. The head,
Sister Joan
Thornhill and several other nuns moved into our parish and the house
previously occupied by Mr Murphy, head
of the school became a convent,
the garage being converted into a chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is
reserved.
The pipe organ from Newbold Revel was dismantled and rebuilt in our
church to replace the Electric Hamond organ that was always breaking
down. We also had a quantity of 'Daily Missals' from Newbold
Revel which were in daily use until recently replaced by books of a
later edition and better condition.
Sr Joan Thornhill
Sister Joan Thornhill died on 7th. January 1987, but
sisters from her order still serve our parish. Currently Nuns living in
the Convent are parish sisters Sr Winifred, Sr. Angela (K) and Sr
Angela (M).
