Ormsgill became part of the parish in 1937, and we took over the mission on Schneider Road from St Paul’s. In the early years (1937-40) the Sunday service was Evensong at 6:30pm, but in 1941 the Eucharist became the Sunday morning service.
Following the 1946 mission plans were made to expand the work in Ormsgill. In 1947 on May 13th the Bishop of Carlisle dedicated the mission as the church of St Francis. February 1950 saw a building sub-committee formed to build a new church at Ormsgill. Just 5 years later on Saturday 16th July 1955 the new church was consecrated. A curates house was built behind the church and in 1961 got its first occupant. Since then 10 more priests have lived and worked in the house.
St Francis’ Church
It was taken out of the existing parish St James’ and had a population of 4,900 when it was opened on Thursday 26th September 1878. The structure, built of timber and brick, was to be temporary and to be rebuilt within 25 years. In fact it lasted 89 years.
Money was short from the start, but the Vicar (Rev. G. K. Meaby) and his people decided that a schoolroom should be built where the children could be taught the faith. This was built in 1886 and still exists as the lower hall. From the earliest days money was sent to overseas missions, for instance in 1886 to Central Africa, India and the Jews. Local agencies supported included North Lonsdale Hospital, the sick and needy, and the Temperance Society.
The Sunday school grew to over 6001 pupils and 44 teachers on the rolls by 1912. Only 200 could fit into the hall, so the rest had to use Oxford St School. It was decided in October 1910 to build a new larger hall, but due to World War One it would be 20th September 1925 before it was opened.
In 1937 3000 people from Schneider Road and Ormsgill were added to the parish, bringing the total to 9000. (See St Francis below). By 1939 vestments were introduced and soon after wards the parish communion became the main service. During World War Two the work carried on and 1941 saw a mission conducted by the Franciscans.
In 1958 the first stewardship campaign was held and plans were made to build a new church at St Matthew’s. It was consecrated on Saturday 21st October 1967, but by 1973 water penetration had caused major damage. It was over 2 years before the church could be fully used again.
St Matthew’s Church
The site for the church (alongside the school) was a gift from the Duke of Devonshire, and the moneys for the building were provided by the Directors of the Iron and Steelworks. The architect chosen to design the building was Edward Paley (who had previously designed St. George's church). However during the planning of St. James, he was joined by a young man named Herbert Austin - and they together were to become famous for designing many churches throughout Lancashire and beyond.
In May 1941 the church was severely damaged during German air raids on Barrow - 15 of the lovely stained glass windows were destroyed including the beautiful West window. The organ was also damaged, and removed for safekeeping until the church could be restored. In the church tower a floor crashed down on to the bells. Although surrounded by devastation the church of St. James remained a great symbol of Christianity to the townsfolk during those bitter years - a beacon of hope.
In 1837 King William the Fourth commissioned a young organ builder, William Hill and his partner Frederick Davison of London, to build and install a new organ in the Chapel Royal of St. James Palace, which in those days was the Royal Palace (even today all foreign ambassadors are still assigned to the court of St. James, London)
During 1865 the Queen was advised that the organ was no longer suitable for the purpose for which it was being used - Mr. William Hill was subsequently requested to build a new organ for the Chapel Royal.
Thus it was that in 1868 the old organ found its way to the "new" town of Barrow-in-Furness, to be installed in the town's church of St. James the Great.
For more information on St James’ church, click here.
St James’ Church
NORTH BARROW TEAM MINISTRY
