Fr Spain arrived in St. Laurence's, Southdene, in September, 1957,
His task was to establish the new parish of Mother of God in the district of Northwood.
His first move was to a house In Retford Road and he sold the first Mass
ever In Northwood in Quarry Green School Hall, Christmas midnight,
1957. During this time Sacred Heart Infant and Junior Schools were
taking shape and on 21st April, 1858, they opened and were complete
by September. The Infant Hall and later the Junior Hall became the
Mass centre,
During this period work was progressing rapidly on St. Mary's
Club, and Mother of God Church and the Presbytery. The Club was opened
in May, 1958 and the first Mass was celebrated in the new Church on 18th
January, 1959. In the same month St. Marie's Infant and Junior Schools
began to take shape and were opened on 11th May, 1959. So in two short
years he had established In Northwood one Church and Presbytery, four
Schools and one Parish Club.
In normal circumstances one would have thought that Fr. Spain had done
sufficient In taking on his shoulders nearly £250,000 debt, for
although his own four parish schools were the biggest of their
type in the country he had to give his full support and help In
establishing the two great Comprehensive Schools of St. Gregory
and St. Kevin.
But this was not the end, for then, Father Spain realised
that yet another school was required in Northwood. As a result,
construction began In Simonswood Lane of St. Anthony Junior and Infant School.
While there was a shortage of teachers at that time, Fr. Spain
through his Initiative, perseverance and popularity was successful
in recruiting teachers from a wide area to staff his schools, This
drive ensured that the children under his care did not suffer.
This work as you may understand, occupied a good part of his
life in Kirkby, but his greatest love throughout was visiting his
parishioners, comforting the sick and dying and. dispensing the
Sacraments. His happiest hours were those spent with his beloved
parishioners. Fr. Spain died on 19th July, 1968. May God grant him eternal rest.
This article appeared in the St Mary Mother of God Church newsletter.
Contact Details for the Church are -
St Mary Mother of God.
Kennlewood Avenue, Northwood
Kirkby
Email - Parishmaterdei@yahoo.co.uk
Telephone: 0151 546 3838
FAX: 0151 548 6509
Details are correct as of Oct 06 2003.
God Bless the Poor and Damn the Rich! Amen.
Apologies to anyone who may think some of this websites content to
be less than respectful to religion - May YOUR God go with you.
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