PARISH HISTORY - 1977 to date

Fr Frank Moulding, appointed as parish priest in 1977, was much involved in the changing educational scene in Carlisle. St Patrick’s Catholic Secondary School was replaced by Newman School on a new site in Lismore Place. The Sacred Heart of  Mary Sisters had, in 1939, established a convent school on Victoria Place (the third convent school to be established in the parish but, like the other two, it closed after providing sterling service to the Catholic community when Newman School opened in 1968. The parish school of St Cuthbert also moved its site at this time and was officially opened by Bishop Pearson, the Auxiliary Bishop of Lancaster (who lived in Warwick Road) in 1972. Fr Moulding’s health deteriorated and in 1980 he accepted an appointment to the smaller parish on Penrith.

Fr Henry Holden came to the parish in 1980 and was instrumental in encouraging the parish’s the first two Permanent Deacons, Ron Dale and Kevin Hickey, who were ordained in 1983. It is also to his credit that many liturgical reforms advocated by Vatican II were introduced into the parish. Mgr Gregory Turner was appointed to the parish in 1987, Bishop Brewer wishing to have a Vicar General in the northern part of the diocese.

The church was redecorated and a shrine to Blessed Christopher Robinson, the local English Martyr, was erected in 1989 and blessed by Bishop Foley the retired Bishop of Lancaster.1993 marked the centenary of the present church building and various events during that year, both religious and social, made this a memorable occasion. In 1996 a Nursery was established as part of St Cuthbert’s School. It was opened by Eric Martlew MP. To mark the Jubilee Year 2000 a  clock on the church tower facing Warwick Road was installed through the generosity of a kind benefactor.       

Our Lady & St Joseph’s has a fascinating history which in many ways reflects the history of our own diocese. Established in troubled times it flourished spiritually and temporally through the prayers and vigorous work of good priests and people. New challenges in a different world are ahead. We pray that their successors are no less zealous in promoting an attachment to Jesus Christ and the values of the Gospel.