Our Parish

A Brief Parish History

St Joseph’s Church in Wrightington is more than a building; It is a testimony of centuries of faith, resilience, and renewal. Rooted in history shaped by secrecy, exile, and devotion, the church today stands as a visible symbol of what was once hidden and preserved at great cost.

From Recusants to Revolution

Following the Reformation, Catholicism was outlawed in England. But in places like Wrightington, families such as the Dicconsons remained defiantly loyal to their faith. Their home, Wrightington Hall, became a haven for missionary priests and underground worship. Priests such as Christopher Tootell, who served from 1686, wrote catechetical works and ministered during dangerous times, often under threat of imprisonment.
Bishop John Leyburn confirmed over 1,800 Catholics in Wigan and Wrightington alone during his 1687 visitation to Lancashire, staying as a guest of the Dicconsons. These confirmations, denied to many for over 130 years, revitalised the underground Church. Bishop Edward Dicconson, and his brothers William and Roger were born at Wrightington Hall, Bishop Edward later became Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District. He resided at Finch Mill House, where he disguised a private chapel inside a barn to evade persecution — a tactic echoed across “barn churches” throughout the region.

Jacobites, Exiles, and Endurance
The Dickinsons were also prominent in Jacobite politics. William Dicconsons followed King James II into exile, tutoring the Old Pretender, James Edward Stuart. Roger, who remained in Lancashire, managed to protect parts of the family estate during the turbulent years following the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion.
As political pressures waned and anti-Catholic laws slowly relaxed, the family continued to support the faith. Later generations such as the Clifton-Dicconsons and Gerard-Dicconsons helped fund the construction of St Joseph’s Church in the late 19th century. They are buried nearby, and their legacy is literally built into the walls.

From Vatican II to the Present

In the 20th century, major change came through the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965). Under the guidance of Fr Vincent Marsh, St Joseph’s parish adopted the reforms with pastoral sensitivity. He documented this transition thoroughly, introduced a new baptismal font, and modernised both the church and presbytery updating heating, drainage, and liturgical furnishings.
Fr Marsh’s successors continued to shape the church’s direction:

  • Fr Denis Harvey (1979–1981) brought warmth and youthfulness during a period of national change.
  • Fr Kevin Mulhearn (1981–2015) served the parish longer than any other, combining his experience as a military chaplain with pastoral care, teaching, and artistic expression.
  • Fr Gerard Tuite (2015–2017) introduced a shared ministry between Wrightington and St James’, Orrell, reflecting the Church’s evolving pastoral model.
  • Mgr. Philip Gregory (2017–Present) has modernised the parish further, leading with energy and care. In 2019, he oversaw the restoration and repositioning of a statue of St Joseph to mark the 125th anniversary of the church.

What Might the Future Hold?

The people of Catholic Lancashire have always adapted to their time. Yet today, some observe a shift fewer families attend Mass regularly or receive the sacraments. Some priests speak of an “ebb tide” in Church life; others refer to “illusional Catholicism” where the outward form remains but the inward life is faded.
But St Joseph’s stands as a reminder that even in times of adversity or transition, the faith is carried forward. Whether in a 17th-century barn chapel or a 21st-century parish hall, the mission remains the same: to pass on the light of faith to the next generation.