Billigtons Blog
The Death of Canon Billington
Now that the Cathedral's 150th anniversary year is over, it is time also for this blog to come to its end. 225 entries over the last twelve months have attempted to tell the story of Lancaster's Catholic history, especially that of its Cathedral church and parish. While the history can hardly be described as complete, it has hopefully given a flavour of the vast changes that have taken place over many centuries, and has introduced some of the great figures who have been connected with this place. Although there will be no further posts, the blog will remain accessible indefinitely and - we hope - will become a valuable reference site. If you would like to search for a name or event on the site, enter a word or two into the box marked 'search blog' at the top left of the page. And don't forget that you will be able to read the full Billington, plus a second volume bringing the history up-to-date, later this year. There are more details at the top of the right-hand column.
Now that the Cathedral's 150th anniversary year is over, it is time also for this blog to come to its end. 225 entries over the last twelve months have attempted to tell the story of Lancaster's Catholic history, especially that of its Cathedral church and parish. While the history can hardly be described as complete, it has hopefully given a flavour of the vast changes that have taken place over many centuries, and has introduced some of the great figures who have been connected with this place. Although there will be no further posts, the blog will remain accessible indefinitely and - we hope - will become a valuable reference site. If you would like to search for a name or event on the site, enter a word or two into the box marked 'search blog' at the top left of the page. And don't forget that you will be able to read the full Billington, plus a second volume bringing the history up-to-date, later this year. There are more details at the top of the right-hand column.
Our thanks are due to a great many people, beginning with a figure who has been constantly in the background over the last year. Although we have always referred to Canon Billington as the author of the parish history, it is worth remembering that he co-wrote the work with John Brownbill. It seems right, therefore, that Mr Brownbill's substantial contribution to our offerings be acknowledged. In more recent times there are many who have contributed to the work of the last year, many of whom have been mentioned in the relevant posts. We would, however, like to thank John Pye, John Rogan, Canon Tom Dakin and Josie and Maurice Bolton, who have all contributed greatly to the research behind the published material, and to all blog readers who have sent in pictures or emails and letters with information. It is much appreciated.
Six years after the parish history was published Canon Billington died while still in office at St Peter's. The following Monday his body was brought into his church and the solemn dirge was sung, followed by the Office for the Dead, the Rosary and prayers for the dead. At 11:30am on Tuesday 16th May 1916 his requiem Mass was celebrated in St Peter's by the Archbishop of Liverpool and former parishioner, the Most Reverend Thomas Whiteside, assisted by members of the Chapter of Liverpool. Canon Cosgrave preached. After the Mass, Canon Billington was laid to rest with his body facing the church that he had served so faithfully for over 22 years. His book of the parish history concludes with a hymn to Our Lady, which is reproduced here as our own account draws to its close:
O Mary, Virgin, Mother, Queen,
In thee our age-long hope has been;
Thy Son, Who our transgressions bore,
Would have us hope through thee still more;
With Him for England intercede,
And for thine ancient Dowry plead.
The charge at Calvary's Cross received
Anew thine anguished heart hath grieved;
From Christ's true fold how many stray,
Nor will His vicar's call obey!
Yet succour England in its need;
Our parted brethren homeward lead.
By faith in good works fruitful, pray
That all may climb the narrow way,
Till joining thee in heaven above,
We see and praise the God we love;
Oh! now for England intercede,
That then it prove thy Dower indeed.
1868: the death of Dean Richard Brown
Dean Richard Melchaides Brown, the priest who built St Peter's church, died on this day in 1868 at the age of 62. His memorial in the Cathedral shows him, as is the custom for founders of churches, holding an image of the church he had built. Canon Billington writes, "After the anxious work of school and church building was accomplished, he lived a little over nine years in the new priests' house, and died there, fortified by the last sacraments, on December 31, 1868. The dirge was sung the following Sunday, January 3, and the requiem mass the following day, Bishop Goss and about forty priests being present. There was no sermon, in accordance with his directions. He was then buried in the cemetery which had been laid out by his efforts".
The memorial plaque bears an inscription noting that he was pastor of the congregation for 28 years and had served as a Canon in the Diocese of Liverpool. Canon Billington records a local newspaper report which stated that he "had obtained the respect of all classes of the population by his courtesy and respect and respect for the opinions of others." He was regarded as "a man of great culture, with a taste for achaeological and architectural studies which had been developed and enriched by his residence in Rome."
Canal Views
Some of the photographs of the Cathedral's exterior also catch a glimpse of the changing face of the city. These two pictures, for example, show the changing face of the canal, and give us some sense of how it looked as a working waterway in times gone by.
SHCJ Sisters
Following on from our post on the altar servers of 1910, here are some more servants of the parish, though rather more recent. The Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus (SHCJ) came to live in the convent adjoining the Cathedral in the 1940s, and stayed until the late 1990s. Here a group are seen in a photograph which is somewhat more modern than it looks: this is the community (and a visitor or two, by the look of things!) pictured in 1991.
