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The Rev. Michael Byrne
Early in May 1939, the Bishop sent Fr Byrne to take up the duties of parish priest at Bridgwater. A short while later, the Bishop came to the Confirmation Service at St Joseph's. During his talk to the congregation he told us the good news that he hoped a community of sisters would come to settle in Bridgwater. Later we learned that Bishop Lee had purchased a house, which had been vacant for years, and which was known as "East Croft" on the Durleigh Road. This house was to become the Convent of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary. In spite of the threatening dark clouds of the Second World War, preparations were made. Two young men from Ireland arrived to clear away the overgrowth in the drive, and to do some useful work in the garden. They also helped with much of the furnishing. One large room on the ground floor was selected for the sisters' chapel. In London preparations were in progress to evacuate large numbers of children, invalids, and expectant mothers to some safe quarter in the West. Bridgwater was asked to take a large number of evacuees who were accommodated in our private houses. Many of them were Catholics, and our church was well packed for the two Masses on Sundays. The London accent was indeed very familiar in our streets! September 1939 saw the outbreak of the Second World War. It had always been the custom in St Joseph's for those who could afford it, to pay the rents for their seats, with their names attached. These yearly rents augmented the income of the priest. However, with the arrival of evacuees, Fr Byrne abolished all bench rents and removed all names from the seats. In September, the sisters came from Ireland, and for a few Sundays attended St Joseph's Church for Mass. On Oct: 7th the Feast of the Holy Rosary, Bishop Lee celebrated the solemn Mass in the convent chapel. He also appointed our first curate, Rev. Fr Power, to assist Fr Byrne and to say the daily Mass in the convent chapel. (The authors' memories seem to have failed them here as Fr Edward Power did not come to St Joseph's until 1942. (Fr John McCarthy served in the parish from 1940 to 1942. - Editor) Bridgwater residents soon became accustomed to the now familiar sight the sisters in our streets. In a very short time, the sisters were interested in the catechism classes, and eventually took over the control of St Joseph's Sunday School, and thus relieved the lay teachers who had previously helped with the various parish priests. The sisters decided to open a private day school for paying pupils, and hoped that in due time they would start a primary day school in St Joseph's schools by the church. Bishop Lee inspected the school buildings, and put in a large window to insure more light and sunshine. He also fitted the school with modern dual desks, and suggested other improvements to make the schoolrooms up-to-date. Fr Byrne, and several of the men parishioners worked to pull down walls near the boys playground to open a passage leading through the King Street Cottage to the school. The two young men from Ireland helped to renovate some of the rooms. At last the schoolrooms were ready, and Fr Byrne invited the parishioners to send their children to the day school. Three trained sister teachers gave their services for the working of this new school. Because of the blackout restrictions we had no Sunday evening service, but a short afternoon benediction followed the Sunday school instructions. For better protection in the possibility of air-raids, the Blessed Sacrament was kept at St Joseph's altar. The siren's warnings were often sounded as the enemy flights passed over the town on their way to bomb our industrial cities. One Saturday night, a bomb was dropped on Bridgwater, which wrecked some houses and killed seven people. Two of the victims, Mr & Mrs Sinnott, were Catholics, and a few days later, their coffins rested side by side in St Joseph's Church for the requiem Mass. R.I.P. When Fr Power left, our next curate was Fr McCarthy. (Fr McCarthy preceded Fr Power. Editor). Later, Fr Byrne's health was not too good, and Fr McCarthy had to do most of the preaching. Early in 1943, Fr Byrne became worse, and he was sent into a nursing home. Our supply priest was Fr Fry during the long illness of Fr Byrne. However, we learned on 2nd July 1943 that Fr Byrne had passed away. It had been his wish to be buried at Bridgwater, so the remains were brought back to St Joseph's for the requiem Mass. A large number of priests in the diocese sang the requiem. The Mass was celebrated by Fr O'Connell, a great friend of the deceased priest. Four sisters from the nursing home were present. The burial took place at the Bristol Road Cemetery. Rev. Fr. Timothy O'Connell The Rev. Fr O'Connell was appointed our parish priest in succession to the late Rev. Fr Byrne. Fr O'Connell had come from Shirehampton, and soon settled among his new parishioners. In his spare moments, he was very handy with a wonderful collection of tools which he possessed, often doing odd jobs in the church and presbytery. The sanctuary of St Joseph's had four round windows with the heads of the four evangelists, St Matthew, St Mark, St Luke, St John one in each coloured window. Fr O'Connell decided that more light was needed in the sanctuary. He removed the coloured windows, and fitted in plain glass ones. Later, he wanted to make other alterations but his Lordship the Bishop would not sanction it. Fr O'Connell disliked the poor heating arrangements, the imperfect lighting, and the dark grubby appearance of the church walls. He hoped that when the war was over, these defects would all be remedied in one great scheme. However, the war still went on. More Catholics arrived in Bridgwater for war-work. In the R.A.F. camp at Westonzoyland were many Polish airmen with our own R.A.F. men. Many Italian prisoners of war were stationed in Colley Lane, and they attended their own Mass in St Joseph's, and their own chaplain officiated. During a lull in the hostilities, the pupils of the Holy Rosary Convent gave a delightful concert in the Town Hall. Many of the evacuees later went back to London, and Bridgwater had another influx of visitors. Thousands of American soldiers were billeted in our homes for three months training for the great "D" day. The Catholic Americans with their own two chaplains packed St Joseph's for Sunday Mass. The aisles, the choir, and the sacristy were all filled up. No resident Catholics were permitted to attend the special American Mass. Fr O'Connell was well known for his great charity, and he helped several cases of hardship. On one occasion he invited those whom he thought were active workers in the church to the Royal Clarence Hotel for a supper and social evening which was very enjoyable. The sisters carried on their work with the day and Sunday schools, preparing the children for confession, Holy Communion and confirmation. Owing to the blackout restrictions, we still had no evening service only the afternoon rosary and benediction and the confirmation when the bishop attended St Joseph's. A tall, young priest, Fr Keane was our next curate. He enjoyed his work with the school lads when he took them to the Cranleigh Park for outdoor games, football etc. To ease Fr O'Connell's work, Fr Keane rode his motor bicycle to visit the parishioners in the outlying districts. On one occasion, he struck a telephone pole, and spent a few days in hospital. Fr Keane was very interested in his church duties, and was well appreciated by the congregation. However, after some time, the bishop had a change of curates. He appointed Fr Keane to a church in Bristol, and sent their curate, Fr Supple to Bridgwater. While Fr O'Connell was with us, the parishioners were very grieved to learn of the fatal crash of FlightLieutenant Pilot Brendan Baker. In childhood, he had been an altar boy, and served in the sanctuary until he joined the R.A.F. His funeral at St Joseph's was attended by a large number of R.A.F. personnel. Fr O'Connell had served as an army chaplain during the First World War, and before his appointment to Bridgwater, he was an air raid warden with many exciting experiences in the Bristol area during the Second World War. Fr O'Connell's last work in the church was the renovation of the sacristy which was sadly needed. In his spare time he worked very hard, and succeeded in making it look very fresh and clean. During 1948, we heard that Bishop Lee was in failing health, and his death in September 1948, was a great shock to the diocese. About a fortnight after the death of the bishop, St Joseph's Legion of Mary had a social evening in the school. Fr O'Connell was present, and enjoyed their little programme. When everyone had gone home that night, Fr O'Connell wondered if all the lights had been properly turned off. He returned to the school to investigate. It is thought that on his return, he stepped back, or down over a table or somehow. However, he was badly shaken when he got indoors, and became very ill. The housekeeper was very worried. She called Fr Supple from his bedroom, and the doctor was sent for. Fr O'Connell was so ill that Fr Supple gave him the last sacraments. The doctor came early the next morning, and later in the day, he sent Fr O'Connell to the Bridgwater Hospital. In spite of every attention, he passed away the following evening. R.I.P. His death was a terrible blow to the congregation, for the previous Sunday he had thanked many for their recent work in the church, and apparently was in his normal health. Mgr Iles who was then the acting administrator of the diocese made all arrangements for the funeral. The requiem Mass was attended by a large number of priests of the diocese with the late priest's brothers from Ireland, his niece, parishioners and friends. The burial was at the Bristol Road Cemetery, and Fr O'Connell was laid to rest by the side of his great friend, Fr Byrne. "May they rest in peace". Rev. Fr Supple as acting Parish Priest with Rev. Fr Harding as assistant priest. (1948 - 1949) After the funeral of Fr O'Connell, we realized that St Joseph's was without a parish priest, and the Clifton diocese was without a bishop. Of course, the selection of a new bishop takes some considerable time. During the months that intervened Mgr Canon Iles, the administrator of the diocese decided that Fr Supple should be the acting parish priest, with Fr Harding from London as assistant, and they could carry on with the parochial work at St Joseph's. One of Fr Supple's earliest requests was to the C.W.L. members that they should be responsible for the cleaning, dusting, and polishing etc of the church. Very soon, Fr. Supple called a meeting of the parishioners and suggested that the best memorial to Fr O'Connell was to carry out his recent wishes for the renovation of the church. At that meeting a committee was formed, and the officers were: Chairman: Mr Cyril White Treasurer: Mr. J. Nation Secretary: Mr Blake Camp The vote of the committee was in favour that the necessary funds should be obtained by voluntary donations. To give every parishioner an opportunity to contribute, Fr Supple divided the parish into districts, and collectors were appointed in each district to collect the smaller amounts. The large donations were given in bulk. One non-Catholic member who was very interested in our church affairs, headed the list with £50. There was a generous response to the appeal and eventually the fund amounted to over £700. At the various meetings of the committee the renovations decided on included the entire decoration of the church with modern electric lighting and heating equipment. Fr Supple's brother, an architect, designed the work which was entrusted to Mr Bryant and his staff. For weeks in 1949 the parishioners of St Joseph's worshipped under piles of scaffolding. The Sunday Masses were at St Joseph's altar. Mrs Flemming often played the organ when Mrs Grimshaw was not well enough to attend. Both Fr Supple & Fr Harding worked very courageously, and Mgr Iles paid several informal visits to Bridgwater to advise them in the various affairs of the parish. The clear glass windows in the sanctuary were replaced with the original frames each fitted with pastel coloured glass surrounding the head of the Evangelist. Fr Harding took a special interest in the altar boys, and under his tuition there was a decided improvement. Each week, he took these lads for special instruction. He reminded them of their prayer before entering the sacristy, their general behaviour, how to walk the sanctuary, their handling of the various vestments and sacred vessels etc. He also explained a little consecration ceremony, giving each lad a bronze medal inscribed (Regnare est cui servire) hanging from a red cord to denote the altar servers in the service of the sanctuary as members of the Confraternity of St Stephen. During the renovations, the church was enriched by the gift of the beautiful stations of the cross, given by Mr & Mrs John Baker in memory of their son Brendan, Flight Lieut. Pilot Baker, who was killed in a fatal crash at the end of the war. A small brass plate to his memory was placed in St Joseph's chapel. These lovely stations were eventually placed in their positions, and at a special Sunday evening service, they were blessed by Fr Supple. The Right Rev. Joseph Rudderham D.D. of Norwich was appointed as Bishop of Clifton. A few weeks later, Fr Supple announced the name of our new parish priest Rev. Fr Ryan from Glastonbury. Fr O'Connell's housekeeper had stayed on at the presbytery for a few months, but when she left, the household problems were managed by temporary housekeepers. Several of the older parishioners were very pleased to learn that the newly appointed parish priest was bringing his own housekeeper with him. Rev. Fr. W. Ryan (1949 to present date) Rev. Fr Ryan had come from Glastonbury, and after the induction ceremony by Canon Davey one Sunday evening, he commenced his many parochial duties. Fr Supple left Bridgwater to work in another part of the diocese, and Fr Harding remained at St Joseph's for some time as assistant priest. As the two Sunday Masses at 8 a.m. and 11a.m. were so crowded out, the bishop gave permission for an extra Mass at 9.30 a.m. which was much appreciated. The congregation were very grieved at the loss of Mr Cyril White the devoted chairman during the renovations. He was taken ill, and passed away at an early age. There was a rapid increase of the population in Bridgwater, including many Polish, Irish, and other workers employed in the large local industries. The Sisters of the Holy Rosary worked hard in our school, as more and more children were admitted. Fr Ryan arranged a midweek Mass at 9.15 a.m. on Wednesdays, so that during the Mass he could direct his instructions from the pulpit to the school children. Fr Ryan was keen to obtain a new modern school, and all his efforts supported his intention. To get the necessary funds, he instituted the envelope collection, and later, he changed it to a second collection in the church so that everyone may give a little. When Fr Harding returned to London our new curate was Fr McManus who served his church so efficiently until his recall to Ireland. When Mrs Grimshaw, of a good Catholic family, and loyal worker for many years passed away, the requiem Mass was celebrated by her eldest son, the Bishop of Plymouth, who also officiated at the burial in the Bristol Road Cemetery. Many priests from his diocese were present. When Fr McManus had left us, our next curate was Fr Aherne to take up his duties with Fr Ryan. On one occasion the bishop was able to purchase a new organ for our church, costing us about £500. Mr Cass, and his son Cecil, are very efficient organists, and Miss Bernice Sendell is also giving loyal service. For a while, we had four Masses each Sunday, at 8,9,10 and 11 a.m., two Masses for each priest. Recently, owing to a large number of shift workers being unable to attend a morning Mass, the bishop has allowed an evening Mass at 6.30 p.m. This evening Mass is particularly well attended, and the increasing number of men at this Mass is very noticeable. The morning Masses now are: First Mass at 8.a.m. (with the sisters from convent) Second Mass at 9.30 a.m. (coaches and cars from outlying districts) Third Mass at 11 a.m. "missa cantata". There is also an evening Mass on the first. Friday of each month, and on the evening of a holy day of obligation. About two years ago, Bridgwater enjoyed a lovely concert given by the Catholic children in the Town Hall. At its close the mayor congratulated the sisters and the children on their wonderful programme. In 1954 the bishop appointed Fr Aherne to the Holy Cross Church, Bristol, and Fr O,Brien was sent to St Joseph's Bridgwater. That same year, His Holiness, the Pope appointed Dr Francis Grimshaw, the Bishop of Plymouth, to be the new Archbishop of Birmingham. Fr Ryan with other priests of the Clifton Diocese attended the enthronement at St Chad's Cathedral on Sept. 14th, 1954. Towards the close of 1954, Fr Ryan had another brain wave how to find accommodation for all the crowds at the Christmas midnight Mass. With the advice of building experts, and the consent of the bishop, part of the cottage wall facing the high altar, with the upper West church wall opposite, were demolished. Clear glass windows were fixed to lower West wall of the church, and also the door. In place of the cottage wall, a sliding partition was arranged, which could be moved back to reveal the room. This space was fitted with seats for the overflow congregation when the church was full. However, the plan was well in hand, and very successful for the Christmas midnight Mass, 1954. Many improvements have since been made in the cottage room, and this space has often been appreciated on Sundays when the church is full, and worshippers are still coming in. When the cottage room is not required, the curtains at the back of the church can be drawn to make the inside of the building more private. The cottage, now known as the "Parish Hall", is in use for all occasions. The Sisters of the Holy Rosary take an active interest in much parochial work. Apart from their duties at St Joseph's day school and the private school in the convent, the sisters visit the sick, and those unable to attend church, and also care for the altar linen etc. They often give instructions to intending converts, and are interested in the various organizations viz: Children of Mary, Legion of Mary, C.W.L., etc. They make great preparation for the Corpus Christi procession in the convent grounds, and also at a later date for the annual garden fete which hitherto has been so successful. To augment the necessary funds for school expenses, the Knights of St Columba hold St Patrick's Dance in the Town Hall. At the Christmas sale of work, Fr Ryan, several sisters and St Joseph's lay helpers are all very busy in the Town Hall. At the moment, Fr Ryan is very anxious to get a suitable site for our new day school. |