saint gregory's catholic church, Longton
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Fr William Walsh
Parish Priest 1934 - 1953 

Sixth Parish Priest who launched Meir Parish
William was born in Rathkeale, County Limerick. He was ordained in 1917 and was 51 years old when appointed to Longton. He originally gave parish missions on behalf of the Redemptorists but became a secular priest because he developed a weak heart.
Though stern in manner William loved children and was extremely kind to people in distress.
An excellent business man and organiser, he had the personality to attract people of influence helpful to his parish.
He died saying his rosary at the altar rails aged 70 and is buried in the Priests’ grave in Longton Cemetery.
​
During his Ministry he:
1937
1937
Purchased land and opened a Church in a converted stable at Meir       
Built a new Infant and Junior mixed school and enlarged the Senior School.                                                              
Organised amazing carnivals and bazaars to pay off the £25,000 school debt.
Redecorated the church and overhauled the organ.
Transformed the derelict Gregory Street Church into a parish hall.

Assistant Priests

1931-1934
193?-193?
1934-1936
1935-1941
1935-1941
1938-1939
1940-1942
1941-1942
1941-1947
1943-1946
1946-1952
1948-1949
1949-1950
1950-1952
1951-1954
1953-1956
Timothy O’Connor - Parish priest of the new Meir parish
Patrick Noonan - Moved to Caverswall
Thomas Canning - A greatly loved priest; Altar Servers Chaplain.  Went to Tattenhall.
Michael Cullinan - Went to Wolverhampton as parish priest.
Charles O’Reilly - Went to Hednesford.
Patrick O'Regan
William O’Malley - Went to Sedgley, West Midlands.  
Vincent Lucas - Went as forces chaplain to North Africa. Died at Aston Hall in 2005 aged 92yrs.
William McGann - Choirmaster and parish priest at Fenton and Stafford.
John Daley - Emigrated to Australia.
Ewan Connolly - A Scot who died in Longton and is buried in the Priests’ grave in Longton Cemetery.
Michael Kelly
George McCarron
Patrick Regan - Introduced a parish magazine –“The Gregorian”
David Duggan - Became parish priest in Wolverhampton. Retired 2002.
​Francis Gallagher - A greatly loved priest who died young.
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  • Home
  • Our Parish
    • Parish Clergy
    • Safeguarding
    • Schools
    • Groups
  • Catholic Life
    • Bentilee & Fenton >
      • Bentilee
      • Fenton
    • The Seven Sacraments
    • Baptism
    • Marriage
    • Becoming a Catholic
    • Funerals
  • Prayer
  • Links
  • Contact