Returning now to Victorian times, we have some details from parish life during those early years. For example, Fr. Lescher, in his desire to tackle drunkenness and to procure the moral and religious development of his flock, set up in the autumn of 1876 a Temperance Association under the patronage of St. John the Baptist.  The members were encouraged to approach the Sacraments at Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (or the Sunday after) and the Assumption of our Blessed Lady.  The Temperance Society met monthly, with the Committee meeting fortnightly.  It arranged a Lecture to be given in Murray’s Public House on November 29^th 1877, the subject being “A Happy Home” given by Fr, Utili, O.P.  At the same meeting, the possibility of obtaining a Catholic Burial Ground was considered. But this would not come into existence until 1885, after Fr Lescher had left.  Another Lecture was arranged and was given on January 22nd 1879 by Fr Wilberforce, O.P. in the Locomotive Inn in Prudhoe, which was a great success with 150 present.  The subject was Sir Thomas More, the English martyr. It was followed by some entertainment from singers.  Parish records recall that on Ascension Day, 22^nd May 1879, Mr Liddell gave a tea-party to the school children at the Hall.  We are told that, “there were about 150 children.  The rain came down during part of the afternoon, but on the whole it was fine and all enjoyed the outing.  1879 was a Holy Year granted by Pope Leo XIII.  On the last day, Whit Sunday, there were 60 communions.  The Jubilee offerings for Peter’s Pence amounted to £3.10s.0d, exclusive of any private donations.

  Fr Lescher was a hardworking priest, conscientiously building up of the Mission.  A Lending Library was set up with 80 books.  Mr Liddell gave £6 towards it.  Children who had made their first Communion were formed into the Guild of the Name of Jesus.  Medals of the Child Jesus were distributed to them, to wear when going to Communion.  There was much poverty and distress in Ireland at the time, and Fr Lescher had an appeal, which produced £2.0s.11d, and donations from Mr Liddell and others raised it to £4.10s.0d.  Non-Catholics contributed and raised it to £4.12s.0d., and it was sent to the Newcastle Relief Fund.

 On June 25^th 1877, he had blessed the first marriage in his chapel.  It was the marriage of Thomas Kennett (Wylam) with Maria Ragan.  He had obtained license to have marriages performed his chapel. In the Northern Calendar of 1879 the Sunday Masses are stated as 9 a.m. and 10.30 a.m.: Holidays 9 a.m.; Rosary and Benediction at 3 pm.

The next priest to be appointed was Fr. Bernard Sears,O.P. who came at the end of 1880, and  he remained until July 1882. He had been ordained on October 30^th 1870.  Before coming to Prudhoe he had served at Stoke-on-Trent (1874-1880).  It was during his time here, that Matthew Liddell died at the age of 72 on October 20^th 1881.

Fr. John Proctor, O.P was the next priest at Prudhoe, but only in an interim capacity, and then there was Fr. George Vincent King, O.P.  It was during his time here that the Catholic Burial Ground on Moor Road was blessed in February 1886 by Bishop Bewick. Not surprisingly, the site had been given by Mrs Liddell.  The first burial in it is dated August 8^th 1885.  It was also in 1885 that St. Matthew’s Hall was erected on South Road, opposite St. Matthew’s School.  Again, it was Mrs Liddell who continued the generosity of her husband toward the Prudhoe Catholic people, in providing the hall for entertainments, Whist-drives, lectures, etc.  Fr. King died in Louvain in Belgium on February 26^th 1886 and was buried at Woodchest. Two or three weeks before his death, he had been consecrated Bishop of Juliopolis, as Coadjutor with right of succession to the Archbishop of Port in Spain (Trinidad).

Fr. Edmund Buckler, O.P. was sent to Prudhoe by his superiors in the beginning of 1886, and he stayed for two years and two months. In the 1887 edition of the Northern Calendar, it is stated that Sunday Masses were at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Holidays 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.; Mass on Weekdays 8 a.m.  Benediction on Sundays was at 3.30 pm.

The next priest to be appointed to Prudhoe was a secular priest, Fr. William Stevenson, and he stayed for three years.   He was ordained at Ushaw on October 5^th 1879.  He was an assistant priest in 1879 in St. Mary’s, Carlisle; in 1883 in the Cathedral in Newcastle; in 1885 in Windermere; in 1886 in Dunston, Gateshead, from whence he came to Prudhoe. We are reminded from the geographical spread of his appointments that our Diocese at that time was much larger because it included  Cumbria in the west.

 It was during Fr Stevenson’s time here that the decision was made by Mrs Liddell to build a church to replace the original chapel, which had become too small for the congregation.  It was to cost £4,000.  The architect, Archibald Dunn, undertook the plan.  On December 8^th 1889, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the foundation-stone of the new Church was laid by the Right Reverend Thomas William Wilkinson, Bishop of Cisamus, who at the time was fulfilling the function of Bishop of the diocese.

 (Bishop Wilkinson had been received into the Church in 1846; ordained priest on 23^rd December 1848 and became parish priest at Wolsingham and Crook; he became a Canon in 1865; Vicar Capitular in 1887; appointed Auxiliary Bishop in May 1888, consecrated at Ushaw 25^th July 1888; translated as 5^th Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle 28^th December 1889; died 17^th April 1909).

  In the foundation-stone was placed a document in Latin: this is the translation:

“Pray for the welfare of Matthew Liddell and of his wife Susanna, who for the greater glory of God and the increase of the Catholic Religion in this district, founded this Mission and in 1870 caused a Church to be built under the Title of Our Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God and St. Cuthbert; the rebuilding of which, from its foundations – because of the increased number of the faithful – was begun on a larger scale upon this new site. This foundation-stone was solemnly laid on the feast-day of the Immaculate Conception of B.V.M., 8^th December in the year 1889 of our Lord by Right Reverend Thomas William Wilkinson, Titular Bishop of Cisamus, who at the time was fulfilling the functions of the Ordinary of his diocese of Hexham and Newcaslte.  The Architect of the building was Archibald Dunn.  The Priest of the Mission, William Stevenson.”

The following extract from the Hexham Courant of Saturday, December 14^th 1889, describes the event.

“On Sunday morning the foundation stone of the new Catholic Church, which is to be erected at Prudhoe Hall, was laid by the Right Rev. Dr. Wilkinson, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle.  The church, which is expected to be completed in about a year, promises to be a splendid erection, and will be constructed to seat between 200 and 300 persons.  The estimated cost is £4,000, which account will be borne by Mrs Liddell, resident of Prudhoe Hall, in whose grounds the new church is situated.  The well-known firm of Messrs. Dunn, Hansom, and Dunn, Newcastle, are the architects. The ceremony was witnessed by several hundreds of persons.  After the celebration of solemn high Mass in the little chapel adjoining Prudhoe Hall, a procession was formed, headed by the cross-bearer, followed by acolytes with candles and incense.  The clergy who took part in the procession were the Rev. Father Laing (Ushaw College), the Rev. Father Kirsopp (Hexham), the Rev. Father Wood (Newcastle), and the Rev. Father Dunn (Newcastle), and the Rev. Father Stevenson (Prudhoe Hall).  Before the commencement of the ceremony, a handsome silver trowel was handed to the Bishop by Mr A. Dunn, jun., which bore the following inscription – “Presented to the Right Rev. Dr. Wilkinson by Mrs Liddell, on the occasion of “laying the foundation stone in the mission church of Our Lady and St. Cuthbert. Prudhoe, 8^th December.” The order of laying the first stone of a new church according to the Roman Pontifical was then proceeded with, the clergy and congregation joining in the prayers. – At the close, a collection was taken in aid of the funds of the diocese, and a substantial amount was realised.”

Fr. Stevenson said Mass in St. Matthew’s Hall (the Reading Room) on South Road, while the enlarged church was being erected.  On 23rd June of the same year, Bishop Wilkinson had administered Confirmation to 23 children and a procession of the Blessed Sacrament had taken place within the grounds of Prudhoe Hall in the afternoon.  In 1891 Fr. Stevenson left to take charge of the Mission at Coxlodge until 1894.  He eventually served in Kendal for more than 30 years, where he died in 1927.

His successor, Fr. William Drysdale, came to Prudhoe in July 1891, and he stayed about two years.  In his time, Crawcrook was established as a separate Mission.

 On July 16^th 1891, the new Church was solemnly opened by Bishop Wilkinson. The Newcastle Daily Chronicle of Friday, July 17^th 1891 described the ceremony: 

“NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH AT PRUDHOE”

 “Yesterday, a new Catholic Church, dedicated to our Lady and St. Cuthbert, was opened at Prudhoe Hall, the seat of Mrs Susanna Liddell, who maintains the mission.  The Church has been erected through the charity of her late husband, Mr Matthew Liddell.  It takes the place of the chapel, which was erected there twenty years ago, but which was found to be too small for the Catholics of Prudhoe, Wylam and district.  The building was designed by Messrs. Dunn, Hansom and Dunn of Newcastle.  It has been erected on the North side of Prudhoe Hall, with which it is connected by a groined archway, carrying overhead a passage leading from the upper floor to the gallery at the west end of the chapel.  The total interior length is 84 feet, 6 inches, of which the nave, which will accommodate about 200 worshippers is 55 feet; and the sanctuary 29 feet, 6 inches.  There is a side chapel on the south side of the sanctuary, and two sacristies are on the north.  The architectural treatment of the whole is of the early perpendicular period, the windows especially being fine examples of the beautiful tracery of that style, and the building is constructed throughout of stone.  The interior is very ornate, the beautiful carving having been the work of Mr Boulton, of Cheltenham, while the altar, reredos, and font, which are of a style befitting that of the building itself, are the work of Mr Beall of this town.  The whole is surmounted by a handsome pitch pine roof, the panelled ceiling of the sanctuary having been beautifully decorated by Messrs Laidler.” (In the Northern Catholic Calendar of 1897, Geo. G. Laidler advertised their company, which was then based at 40 Northumberland Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, and 51&53 Marloes Road, South Kensington, London, offering expert help with church and domestic decorations, including lead glazing, glass staining, gilding and lettering.  They listed work done at St Mary’s Cathedral, St Anne’s Convent Chapel, Summerhill Grove, as well for Mrs Liddell at Prudhoe Hall Chapel)."

"The masonry and other work throughout the building show the greatest care and attention on the part of Mr Manighan of Westgate Road, Newcastle, who has thus made the very best of the exceptional opportunity offered him by the handsome design of Messrs, Dunn, Hansom and Dunn, the architects, and the open handed liberality of Mrs Liddell.  The hall itself is undergoing extensive alterations and additions, and is being fitted up throughout with all the most modern contrivances for comfort and convenience (such as electric light, with which the chapel is also lighted) in a manner which will make it one of the largest as well as one of the best appointed mansions in the country.  Particular mention might be made of the beautiful baptismal font.  It is an exact copy of an ancient font in the parish church of Shadingfield, Suffolk, where the Cuddon family (Mrs Liddell’s family name) had their estates in the 14^th century.”

            “Pontifical High Mass was sung by his Lordship, Dr Wilkinson, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle; Deacon Rev. Mr. E. Levick; subdeacon Rev. Mr C. Swarbreck; deacons of the throne Revv. Messrs Newsham and O’Connell; assistant priest to the Bishop, Father Lonsdale; Master of ceremonies, Father Laing.  There were also present Father Drysdale chaplain, Canon Dunn (Newcastle) Canon Greene (South Shields). Canon Wrennell (Stella), Canon Cooke (Hexham),and several priests.  There were also present Mr and Mrs Silvertop, Minsteracres; Mrs M. Liddell, Hindley; Mr and Mrs John Liddell and Mr C. Liddell (Benwell); Col. and Mrs Leadbitter-Smith; Mrs Leadbitter, Spital; Mr and Mrs Bernard Cuddon, London; Mr B. Cuddon-Fletcher and the Misses Cuddon Fletcher of Duncans, Argyleshire.” 

“Father Gavin, S.J., of Farm Street Church, Berkeley Square, London, preached the sermon; taking for his text the words: ‘And I have heard thy prayer, and will make this house a place of sacrifice’, taken from the second book of Paralipomenon.  He referred to the charity of the deceased gentleman, through whose munificence the sacred edifice has been erected, and dwelt upon the importance and benefits of the holy sacrifice of the Mass and of the functions of the priesthood.  The music was rendered by St. Michael’s Catholic Choir, Westmorland Road, Newcastle, and consisted of Haydn’s 16^th Mass, Abt’s ‘Ave Maria’ at the Offertory, and the ‘Hallelujah’ Chorus from the Messiah, the soloists being Madame Tomsett, Madame Fleming, Miss Small, and Messrs Moody, Burton, and Lohmeyer.  Mr T. McCoy presided at the organ.  Evening service and Benediction were also held, with special musical accompaniment by the choir, Father Gavin again preaching the sermon”.

            Fr. Augustine H. Simmons succeeded Fr. Drysdale at Prudhoe on 19^th August 1893, and he remained at Prudhoe for 22 years – a length of time nearly equal to that of the combined years of all his predecessors.  He came from an old Northumbrian family and was born in 1860; educated at Yvetot in Normandy and at Ushaw College, he was ordained priest August 15^th 1887 at Middlesbrough.

We have more biographical details about Fr Simmons than any other priest that served here in Prudhoe, because of the work of Fr J. Lenders, who wrote “The History of the Catholic Parish of Prudhoe” in the 1928.  As he says himself in the Foreword, he intends the booklet as “only an historical sketch of Prudhoe from a Catholic point of view (…) in other words , of the foundation and religious life of Our Lady and St. Cuthbert at Prudhoe”.

The following details about Fr Simmons are from his booklet. His first appointment was at Tudhoe, as assistant priest to Very Rev. Canon Watson.  In April 1891 he performed an act of bravery, which made his name known all over the country.  One John Hardy, alias Sailor Jack, had had a dispute at Merrington; he was threatening to shoot any policeman he might meet.  As it was known that he was wandering about with a pistol, Sergeant Applegarth, a brave man, a modest and zealous officer, was sent to watch his movements.  He met him in Merrington-Lane and almost instantly Hardy shot twice.  There was a moment of struggle, but Applegarth was fainting for loss of blood.  Many were on the spot, but dare not to go to Applegarth’s rescue.  A man named Robert Jackson went to his help, when Fr Simmons came on the spot, and Applegarth cried: “Will you help me, Sire?”  Without hesitation, Fr. Simmons threw his gloves and stick on the ground, knocked Hardy down and with the help of Jackson handcuffed him. When the case came before the Court, Fr. Simmons was highly complimented for his bravery; and splendid gold medals, with a suitable inscription, subscribed for by the police of Tudhoe and Bishop Auckland, were presented to Fr. Simmons and to Robert Jackson. 

After six years at Tudhoe, Fr. Simmons was sent to take charge of the Prudhoe Mission.  He had a great taste for archaeology: his discourses on history and scientific subjects were of a very high order and his early studies, which were diligently pursued, enabled him to treat such topics with lucidity and power.  He rendered valuable assistance to those engaged in research work, and was a frequent attendant of gatherings of archaeologists.  He wrote a history of Prudhoe, which had a very wide circulation.  It was published in 1903, entitled, “Notes on the History of Prudhoe”, totalling 36 pages.  He took an active part in the public life of Prudhoe.  Prior to the establishment of the Urban District Council, he was for several years chairman of the Parish Council, and at the time of his death represented Prudhoe on the Hexham Board of Guardians.  He was a broad minded, openhearted priest, and he earned the regard of the non-Catholics, as well as of the members of his own flock.  He had a keen sense of patriotism, and always took a warm interest in the Old Volunteer movement, and in the Territorial Force, which succeeded it, and after the outbreak of the war, frequently spoke at local recruiting meetings. The Hexham Courant of May 25^th 1901, demonstrates his broad interest. We read that six men of Prudhoe had volunteered for the Boer war; 4 of them came back.  Prudhoe prepared a fitting reception for their return; all the business premises were closed, the colliery managers had arranged that the men should start their day’s work at an earlier hour, so that they might attend the reception.  A strong Committee, of which Fr. Simmons was chairman, had been made.  On Wednesday, the day after the reception, a great dinner at the Drill Hall, which upwards of 200 persons attended, was given in honour of the Prudhoe volunteers.  Fr. Simmons proposed the toast of “His Majesty the King, Queen Alexandra and the Royal Family”. 

When it came to the First World War, a handwritten record lists that the following Catholics from the parish who became ‘voluntary Defenders of their Country’.   The names are as follows: Nehemiah Allfront, Frank Bell, Richard Bell, Frank Cairns, Cuthbert Campbell, Sylvester Caulfield, Hugh Crystal, Michael Crystal, Patrick Docherty, Patrick Donohue, Robert Elwood, Thomas Elwood, James Flanaghan, William Finlay, Thomas Foster, James Gilmore, Michael Gilmore, Peter Gray, George Edward Hamilton, William Hamilton, Matthew Hudson, Peter Healey, Josiah Hamilton, William Lynch, Patrick Heenan, Daniel Lynch, Henry Lynch, James McDine, Arthur McIntyre, John McIntyre, John McKenna, James McKenna, McGlynd, Patrick McCartan, Thomas Monnelly, Edward O’Malley, John Suddes, Matthew Tickler, Frank Thompson, Thomas Wright, Thomas J. Cornelius, James McVeigh, John Gilmour.

Two more examples show his great interest in the public life.  In 1895 he had established a Branch of the Catholic Benefit Society, and in 1905 he was elected president of the Social Club on South Road.   Prudhoe Working Men’s Club, as it was called, was born in a small tin hut perched precariously overlooking the steep incline of South Road in 1903.  The prime mover behind the formation was Father Simmons.  794 men, the majority miners, staked £1 of their hard earned money into its future.  In May 1919 the tin hut was the venue for a meeting called to form a Northern Clubs Federation Brewery and a framed copy of the minutes has long had pride of place on one wall of the present committee room.  By the early 1920’s the tin hut was bursting at the seams and new premises were found across the road, where the 1,600 seat Palace Theatre was situated.  It was bought for £3,000 in 1925 and converted into a Social Club.  It has always been known as the ‘big club’ because of the amount of space it has.

            In 1894, on November 17^th, Mrs Susanna Mary Liddell died and was interred by the side of her husband in the family vault inside their church. She had had no children. So, Mr John Liddell of Benwell Hall succeeded his aunt and entered into possession of Prudhoe Hall and estate in 1894.  He lived there until 1904.  John was the second son of Mr John Liddell of Benwell Hall and he was born in 1852; he married Emilia Berry, sister of Fr. Berry of Walker.  John showed himself a generous benefactor to the church and became actively interested in the school, until 1904, when he sold the Hall and estate to Colonel Henry Swan, the managing director of Armstrong, Whitworth & Co., The ‘For Sale’ notice for Prudhoe Hall ,when advertised by Mr Liddell said: “Residential and sporting estate covering 2,700 acres.  The house has been entirely redecorated; contains vestibule, oak-panelled hall, 5 entertaining rooms, billiard room, gun room, 15 bedrooms and dressing rooms, ample servants’ accommodation.  The house is heated throughout with hot water and lighted by electricity.  There is a good kitchen garden with a range of glasshouses, woodland walks with rustic bridges over burns, stabling and modern laundry.  Sporting attractions are very considerable both for winged and ground game.” After the sale, John Liddell and his family moved to Sherfield-on-Loddon, Basingstoke, Hants.

Some years later, in 1913 Prudhoe Hall and estate would be acquired from Colonel Swan for the sum of £19,199 by the Joint Poor Law Guardians of Newcastle. Their intention was that it should become what was described at the time as “a colony for feeble-minded children”. Prudhoe Hall Colony was opened in August 1914. After the First World War, it would become considerably enlarged and was re-named Prudhoe Mental Hospital.  When fully developed (after 1948), the Hospital had 1,500 patients, needing a large work force and providing employment for many families in Prudhoe.

Clearly, John Liddell must have had discussions early on with the diocesan authorities about the consequences for the parish of his planned move down to Basingstoke.  Upper most in his mind would have been to fulfill the wishes of his aunt and uncle, and to ensure that the parishioners did not suffer the loss of their beautiful church.  So the decision was made to move the church into the village – a considerable undertaking by any standards.

 Between 1904 and 1905 the church was taken down stone by stone and each numbered stone transported by horse and cart a mile into the village to a newly acquired site in Highfield Lane.

 

Father Maddison in his dairy of 1955 records hearing that John Liddell offered the workmen £20 if they managed to get the beautiful stencilled ceiling up in the sanctuary without damaging it. Fr Maddison also records in his dairy of 1958 that, when the very heavy Tabernacle was moved for renovation, he found written on the back in pencil the following words: ‘M. Masterson Oct 18^th 1870 – the day before the first chapel opened at Prudhoe Hall. This confirms that the Tabernacle has been in use since the start of the parish in 1870.

 The site of the new foundation was marked out by Right Rev. Richard Preston, D.D., Bishop of Phocoeca and Auxiliary of Hexham and Newcastle, along with the Rector of the Mission, Fr. Simmons.  Fr. Simmons had moved by now to a cottage in Drawback Close rented from Mr Hunter of Prudhoe.  Mass was said in the Reading Room once again,(presently called St Matthew’s Social Hall) on South Road, for about a year and seven months (1904-1905), whilst the church building was being relocated.  On July 23^rd 1904, the foundation-stone of the church to be re-erected on the new and beautiful site in Prudhoe village was solemnly blessed and laid by the Right Rev. Richard Preston.  The inscription composed by Bishop Preston himself in Latin reads in translation: “Pray for the welfare of JOHN LIDDELL, and his wife EMILY, great benefactors of this Mission, who rebuilt the church under the title of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY MOTHER OF GOD and ST. CUTHBERT, which has been transferred from the site, where it formerly stood near their Mansion called PRUDHOE HALL to this new and more convenient site, with a house for the priest adjoining”.  This together with a copy of “The Catholic Weekly” was placed within the foundation-stone.  The Architect in charge of the relocation of the church was Charles Walker of Newcastle.

            A mortuary chapel was built in the church and underneath is a vault to which were transferred the remains of Mr Matthew Liddell and Susanna, his wife.  In the chapel is an inscription on a brass tablet, as follows:

 

Of your charity pray for the repose of the soul of

MATTHEW LIDDELL

Of Prudhoe Hall, Northumberland, Esquire

Founder of this Mission

Deceased the 20^th day of October A.D. 1881

to whose memory this Brass has been erected

 by Susanna his Loving Wife.

Pray also for the Soul of the said Susanna

who built this Church to the Glory of God

Deceased the 17^th November A.D.1894

Requiescant in Pace.

 

On the altar we read the following inscription:

 

Pray for the souls of

MATTHEW and

SUSANNAH MARY

LIDDELL

founders of this church

and mission, whose

bodies repose in this vault.

 

              It is worth noting here that during the 2005 restoration of the church, the crypt was opened to check the soundness of the structure and also to confirm the presence of their bodies within.  This event produced a great deal of interest in the local press at the time, and the story was covered by the Hexham Courant (23^rd September)) and the Newcastle Journal (27^th September), as well as the Northern Cross (October).  The excavation confirmed that the bodies of Matthew and Susanna Liddell had indeed been transported with the church in 1904/5 to its present site.  Their mortal remains now rest directly beneath the Mortuary Chapel in front of the altar, Susanna nearest to the sanctuary. Although the coffins were not seen, we have reason to believe that they would have been made of lead.  There are four remaining burial places within the vault that are not occupied. The actual burial area is protected by locked iron gates.  Remedial work was carried out in November 2005 to the rusted iron girders in the ceiling of the vault, in order to prevent further rusting, and the metal gates were also treated and painted.  In July 2006, Classic Masonry completed the finishing work to the exterior of the vault and inscribed the names of Matthew and Susanna Liddell in the original circle of stone which contains a cross.