St Gregory’s Cheltenham – Photographs

St Gregory’s Cheltenham in Photographs

More photographs from the collection of Richard Barton and the Late Brian Torode may be added in due course…

Catholic Chapel in Somerset Place by George Rowe

1875c with thanks to David Hanks who owns the copyright

1913

1985

1908

1905

St James’s Square showing the old Railway Station opposite St Gregory’s

Three Spires – St Gregory’s, St Matthew’s and St Mary’s

1920

1908

1950’s

1909

1920’s

John Augustine Birdsall, OSB – Missioner 1809-1830. Builder of the First Church

Gravestone at Broadway

Dom James Ambrose Cotham OSB – Rector 1852-1873. Builder of the Second Church

Dom Robert Aloysius Wilkinson OSB – Rector 1873-1905

Dom Robert Aloysius WILKINSON O.S.B.

Born in Warrington in 1837, Father Wilkinson as he became, served the Catholic Church in Cheltenham from 1866, only nine years after the solemn opening of the new St Gregory’s Church to which he was attached. He became Rector in 1873 and immediately set about completing the Church which, at the time, was separated from its tower. His goal was achieved in 1877 when Saint Gregory’s was consecrated.

Fr Wilkinson was an excellent preacher, beloved by everyone, although his sermons were known frequently to last between three quarters of an hour to an hour. But they were never uninteresting!! He served Cheltenham for thirty-four years and died in retirement in January 1907, aged 89. He had been a Priest for forty-four years.