Holy Rosary Church - History

The need for a Mission in this area was first identified in 1939, but nothing could be done during the War Years. In September 1947 Fr John Gillan was appointed Priest-in-charge by Archbishop Downey. He took up lodgings in 34 Radley Drive, the home of the Misses Keating, who were aunts of Bishop Kevin O’Connor, Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool decades later.

In October 1947 the parish was placed under the patronage of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At that time the Blessed Sacrament was kept in St George’s, Maghull and parishioners had to travel to other parishes for Mass. In April 1948 Fr Gillan obtained permission to reserve the Blessed Sacrament and to say daily Mass in the garden shed at the rear of 34 Radley Drive, the shed having been dedicated as a shrine. Sunday Masses were celebrated in the old British Legion Hall, which was shared on Sundays with the Methodist Congregation (the beginnings of ecumenism in Aintree?). Mass requisites were taken to and from the Legion in an old army munitions wagon know locally as "Wellington’s Wagon". This has been restored and is now kept inside the Church.

In 1951 Fr Gillan was finally able to complete the purchase of Abby Farm, which consisted of the farmhouse, large barn and grounds where the Church, Parish Centre and Infant School now stand.

To raise funds for the building parishioners held coffee mornings, jewelry parties, etc. Outdoor collectors went around the Catholic homes on Sunday afternoons collecting 6d. An unknown benefactor left the parish a legacy of £1,000. After an advertising campaign in the Irish press, which told about the "Deprived of Aintree hearing Mass in a garden shed", the people of Ireland sent Fr Gillan the tremendous sum of £9,000. This was approximately a fifth of the cost of building the Church. A loan of £3,000, repayable over thirty years was obtained from the Archdiocese.

Sadly, in October 1954 after laying the foundations of our Parish, Father Gillan retired through ill-health.

Fr Gillan was succeeded by Fr Denis Meehan; who came from St Monica’s, Bootle. Under Fr Meehan’s guidance the old farmhouse was put to use as the Presbytery and in time a Parish Centre, Church, Infant School, Junior School and finally, a new presbytery were built.

The building of the Church started on the Feast of the Annunciation, 25th March 1955. In October of that year the foundation stone was laid and blessed by Archbishop Godfrey. The following year, 1956, on 7th October, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, the church was finally opened.

The large crucifix, which hangs over the altar and the beautiful hand-carved Italian statues were introduced into the Church over a period of years, with the hand-carved Stations of the Cross being hung in 1963. All the statuary and the crucifix were paid for by individuals, family or group donations. A £50 donation paid for one Station of the Cross.

The Parish family celebrated Fr Meehan’s Golden Jubilee in 1985 and because of advancing years he retired to his family home in Ireland later that year.

Fr William O’Sullivan arrived in November 1985 and he found that, as with any home in use for thirty years, many things needed renewing, repairing or re-decorating. The central heating system was renewed and the roof repaired at a cost of £50,000.

In February 1989 an open meeting was held to present the need for the re-ordering of the Church. With the approval of the meeting Mr Roy Billinge, an architect, was retained to undertake the project. The Church was closed on the 20th September 1989 and the contractors moved in.

Apart from decorating and carpeting the Church, a new lectern, altar table and tabernacle stand were designed to fit the new enlarged Sanctuary.

The enormous window to the right of the altar was blocked off to reduce glare and create atmosphere, with smaller coloured windows installed. The new Tabernacle was designed to complement the coloured windows. A small Blessed Sacrament chapel was formed using the marble centre of the old altar and part of the altar rails to form the altar. The hanging in the Chapel was designed and produced in the Metropolitan Cathedral Art Department.

The Choir Loft was partitioned off, decorated and carpeted for use by various groups and the sacristies were decorated, carpeted and fitted with new storage units. Two of the old confessionals were opened up to make a shrine to Our Lady, a need expressed by parishioners. This incorporates the old altar rails.

The large pipe organ obtained by Fr Meehan from a convent in Formby was restored and moved to a permanent position at the back of the church.

During the three months the church was closed the crucifix, statues and stations of the cross were cleaned and restored under the direction of Mr Priestman of Liverpool Museum.

Fr O’Sullivan retired at the end of January 2001 and his successor Mgr John Butchard took over immediately.