GOLDEN
JUBILEE BOOK
To commemorate the Golden Jubilee, Tom McGrattan wrote a book called Saint
Peter in Chains, Ardrossan - A Parish History.
Maurice
Taylor, Bishop of Galloway wrote the preface.
It
is with great pleasure that I write these words as a preface to this book. With
you I give thanks to God for the impressive building that is Saint Peter-in-Chains,
fifty years old this year.
The fine architecture of the building, its prominent and imposing location on the sea-front and the magnificent setting of the Firth of Clyde all combine to make it one of the outstanding churches of the Diocese of Galloway. This is very fitting because the parish community has become the largest in the Diocese.
For all who are parishioners, the building will have memories, most of them happy, but some of them sad. So it is right that we should thank God for the faithfulness and constancy of those no longer among us. May they enjoy everlasting peace in heaven.
We also ask God, through the prayers of the Apostle Peter, to set us free from any chains that bind us and to give us the grace of being renewed in the Holy Spirit. May St Peter's continue to serve the parish community for many years to come and may that community grow in faith, hope and love, ever closer to Christ as his disciples and truly committed to building God's kingdom on earth.
This is my prayer for each one of you as I share in your joy and thanksgiving.
Yours sincerely in the Lord
SAINT PETER IN CHAINS
Pre
Reformation
The remains of the outline of the original church in Ardrossan can still be seen
300 metres north of the present church on Castle Hill commonly known as the Cannon
Hill. Arthur Guthrie in his book, Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Neighbourhood of 1882
describes this "The foundations of the church show that the building must
have been very small - of a simple oblong form, and measuring 64 feet by 26 over
the walls." This Parish Church of Ardrossan was dedicated to Saint Bridget.
Saint Bridget or Bride, who gave her name to nearby West Kilbride, was an Irish
missionary who came in the fifth century to the then pagan West of Scotland and
landed at Seamill. The church contained two altars dedicated to Saint Peter and
the Blessed Virgin Mary. Early parishes in Scotland were the estates of the feudal
lord who would build a church on his land and appoint a priest. An old charter
of March 1438 states that John Lockhart, Lord of Barr provides for an annual rent,
from the lands of Barr and Neilstoun, to be paid to the chaplain for saying three
masses for the repose of his soul at the altar of Saint Peter in Ardrossan Church.
The earliest recorded documentation of this church dates from 1226 and describes an agreement between Walter, Archbishop of Glasgow and John, Abbot of Kilwinning whereby the Abbot received a pension of sixteen shillings a year from the Church of Ardrossan. At that time this and neighbouring churches were administered by monks from the Abbey of Kilwinning which was established in the twelfth century by members of a branch of the Benedictine Order founded by Saint Bernard of Tiron in Normandy. In a 1911 report to the Commission of Ancient and Historical Monuments (Scotland) on the clearing out with a view to preservation of Ardrossan Castle, which was built during the fourteeenth century, Doctor Thomas Ross suggests there may have been a chapel there "In the north west side of the courtyard the excavations have revealed what appears to be a chapel, lying east and west. In its south wall there are two windows and a door towards the west which have a decided ecclesiastical appearance with broad splays on the jambs and checks on the ingoing of the window for glass." David H Caldwell in his 1972 publication, Ardrossan Castle, Ayrshire: A Preliminary Account, writes "There is one such window sill in situ in the east wall of this western range, but this position does not seem to agree with Doctor Ross's description. In fact, unless Doctor Ross has got his orientations entirely the wrong way round it is difficult to reconcile his description with the surviving remains. That there should have been a chapel there does however seem a valid hypothesis."
The
church on Castle Hill also served another in Saltcoats which was dedicated to
Saint Meddan. It stood on the site of the present Erskine Memorial Church in Chapelwell
Street, then called Chapel Brae. This church continued to serve the local population
until it fell into disuse in 1567. Following the period of the Reformation, the
church lands, which belonged to the Abbey of Kilwinning, were passed to the Earl
of Eglinton. A storm in 1695 destroyed the Church of Ardrossan.
During
excavations carried out in 1911 on the remains of the church on Castle Hill a
stone coffin was found. The lid measured 2.2 metres long and 230 millimetres thick
and is very ornately decorated. Doctor Ross comments "The carved lid is,
as far as I know, one of the finest things of its kind in Scotland and is a specimen
of mediaeval art its purest and best period, not later, I believe, than the thirteenth
century." This coffin, probably that of one of the Barons of Ardrossan, was
removed and displayed in the entrance hall of Ardrossan Burgh Chambers in Kilmahew
Street. It can now be seen in the North Ayrshire Museum in the Kirkgate Saltcoats.
It is interesting to note that, between 1773 and 1908, this building was Ardrossan
Parish Church, a direct descendant of that where the coffin was found.
New
Beginnings
In 1822, the Church of Saint Margaret was built at Ayr and occasionally Father William Thompson, its resident priest on horseback to Saltcoats to say mass. This church in Ayr was one of only five churches in the West of Scotland, stretching the length of the Ayrshire coast, to Glasgow and inland to Lanarkshire, which were in existence in 1840. In the quarter century that followed fifty four new churches were completed and eighteen existing churches were extended.
In 1853 the Catholic Church was re-established in Saltcoats in a loft above a stable in the old Queen's Hotel which was situated in Bradshaw Street. Two years earlier a church had been built at Dalry under the supervision of Father William Burke, who arrived there as Parish Priest in 1848. This church, served from Saint Mirin's in Paisley, was built for the Catholics of Dalry, Glengarnock, Kilwinning, Stevenston, Saltcoats, Ardrossan and West Kilbride. However, Bishop John Murdoch considered the parish too large and appointed Father William Hallinan, a native of Limerick, as the first Parish Priest of Saltcoats and Ardrossan which had a Catholic population of two thousand residing between West Kilbride and Kilwinning. Prior to this Father Hallinan had been assistant at Dalry.
New accommodation was required in Saltcoats where the stable loft was totally inadequate. The Earl of Eglinton, who was providing the land, suggested that the church should be built on Castle Hill beside the original church and graveyard. As a more central site was necessary the ground in Ardrossan Road was acquired and building commenced in 1855. The land behind the church and presbytery sloped directly to the sea, the houses in Montgomerie Crescent not being built until later. The problems of religious intolerance and opposition were encountered where workmen would return in the morning to find that their efforts of the previous day had been demolished overnight. However, work was completed after volunteer guards were posted during the hours of darkness.
£100 towards the total cost of £2533 11s 10d was contributed by James Shearer of the Ardrossan shipbuilding company of Barr and Shearer which started business in 1842. James Shearer was the only Catholic sheriff in the district. His partner, John Barr was Ardrossan's first Provost, a position he held for 38 years. He resided at Kilmahew House, which he built in Montgomerie Street. The church, Our Lady, Star of the Sea, was opened on 13 April, 1856. Outwith Dalry this was the only post-Reformation church in the area.
At the beginning of this century, the population of neighbouring Stevenston was increasing and it became necessary to consider the building of a church there. Father Patrick Ryan, then Parish Priest in Saltcoats, obtained a piece of ground in Moorpark Road West and building went ahead. Saint John's Church was opened on 2 July 1905. This was a unique building with the church on the upper floor and the school on the ground floor.
In 1906, the Golden Jubilee year of the mother church, Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Saltcoats, work started on the building of the Church of Saint Bride in West Kilbride. Father Francis Cronin oversaw the start of the project which was completed by his successor Father William Carmichael. It was opened in May 1907 and until a resident priest was appointed, mass was said once a month by a priest from Saltcoats. A small building, it was designed so that it could later be changed to a school and a larger church built. This never materialised.
The
Church of Saint Winin in Kilwinning was built in 1936. This was to replace the
chapel-school which was built in 1904. Kilwinning was separated from Saltcoats
in 1862 to become part of the new mission in Irvine. When this church opened on
31 January 1937, every town within the original Parish of Saltcoats and Ardrossan
had its own church with the exception of Ardrossan.
New
Church
In the
1920s Shell Refining and Marketing Company, as it was then known, built and commenced
operation of the refinery on reclaimed land at North Crescent. Ardrossan Dockyard
was actively engaged in the building and repair of ships. The harbour flourished
with imports of ore, limestone, oil, timber and scrap metal while it exported
coal, steel, petroleum products and asphalt which were traded internationally.
Passenger and cargo ships of the Burns and Laird Line sailed to Belfast, Dublin,
Newry and Londonderry. There were steamers to the Isle of Man, Arran and other
Clyde resorts. The town, which boasted five railway stations, had goods yards,
a coal yard, locomotive depots and maintenance sheds at Barrie
Terrace and Caledonia Road and miles of lines. These were operated by the
rival concerns of the Glasgow and South Western Railway and the Caledonian Railway
Company. Other employers were the Metallic Manufacturing Company, Winton Foundry
Company and the Saltcoats and Ardrossan Laundry Company, all at Dalry Road. Lee's
Lemonade works was in Kilmahew Street. These and other businesses including shops
and hotels and the nearby Imperial Chemical Industries, "The Factory"
at Ardeer, Stevenston provided work locally.
Ardrossan was growing with a population of around 7000. By this time houses were being built by Ardrossan Town Council at Seton Street, Anderson Terrace, Bath Square, Young Street, Paisley Street, Barrie Terrace and Hunter Avenue. The farmlands of Whitlees and Parkhouse to the north east of the town were purchased and this development became McDowall Avenue, McKellar Avenue, Whitlees Crescent, Broadway, Castle Road, Kirkhall Drive and Busbie Drive. With the ever increasing population, which in common with other Ayrshire coastal towns was due to earlier Irish immigration, the need for a church of its own became apparent.
The
first site to be considered for the new church was Castlecraigs, formerly Graham's
Castle and now the Civic Centre and Indoor Bowling Club. A delegation of priests
from Glasgow viewed the property internally and also from Castle Hill. Their offer
for the building was unsuccessful. Apparently it did not cover the value of the
reputedly exceptional sprung dance floor in the hall attached to the back of the
house.
At a chance meeting
in Saltcoats, Michael Reilly was told
by the caretaker of the Pavilion, 1 South Crescent, Ardrossan, that its owner,
Lord Eglinton, was about to dispose of his summer residence. Father Ryan, the
former Parish Priest in Saltcoats, who was now at Saint John's in Glasgow was
informed and went immediately to the Archdiocesan Office. The direct outcome of
this was that the house "Pavilion" on 3.4 acres of ground with two lodges,
stables and walled garden was sold by the Earl of Eglinton and Winton to the Archdiocese
of Glasgow on 30 January 1924 for £4500. During the 1914-1918 war the house,
under Government control, had been used as a convalescent home for injured servicemen.
This piece of ground, originally an inlet of the sea called Seggany Point Loch,
was reclaimed over many years by the dumping of soil brought from Ireland as ballast
in ships. It was the second largest privately owned residential piece of land
in Ardrossan, the largest being at Seafield Towers in Eglinton Road. Its rateable
value was £60.
Opposition
Although
the site had been purchased, many years were to elapse before building began.
As a consequence of this the unoccupied house fell into disrepair and the once
well tended gardens became overgrown. Opposition from local people was encountered
on two counts - firstly, a once grand and well maintained mansion house on the
sea front was becoming derelict and detracted from the town; secondly, the ground
had been sold to the Catholic Church! Letters to the Editor appeared in the Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald early in 1935: "... the roof of the old Pavilion is,
I understand, to be removed so that the house can be classed as a ruin on which
no rates are payable." The following week the reply from Father Joseph Doherty,
the Parish Priest at Saltcoats read: "May I inform your correspondent that
he is in error when he says that only the roof of the Pavilion is coming off to
save rates. The entire fabric is to be cleared away at an early date, and in due
course the grounds will be so transformed as to be a credit to Ardrossan."
Another letter stated: ". . . then you let the Pavilion and grounds get into
private hands, what an entrance to the Castle Hill and what a place for a decent
pavilion and dance hall. Oh, were the council asleep!" Ardrossan Town Council,
involved in a large house building programme, had obviously tried to purchase
the ground from the Archdiocese of Glasgow. However, at a Council meeting on 16
December 1935 a letter from the Archbishop of Glasgow was read indicating the
proposed building of a church on the site of the Pavilion. Housing was out of
the question.
Fundraising
During
the ten year period that followed the acquisition of the ground, finance for the
building was sought. Before he left Saltcoats in 1926 Father Stephen Thornton,
DSO, arranged with Harry
Kemp, the cinema and music hall owner, for the use of his Assembly Hall in
Bute Place for mass to be said there on Sundays. The first mass to the said there,
and indeed the first mass in Ardrossan since the Reformation, was celebrated by
Father Robert McCliment who was
born in the town. Children's devotions were held in the afternoon. This avoided
the walk to Saltcoats. Father Thornton was awarded the Distinguished Service Order
during the 1914-1918 war when he forced German troops to surrender armed, though
not known to them, with an unloaded rifle! A story of the fundraising effort tells
of "Go as you Please" concerts which took place in the same hall on
Sunday evenings. When visiting homes Father Thornton would cajole an unsuspecting
person to sing at the forthcoming concert. The ability to perform was not an essential
qualification and once word got round that an individual had been "booked"
to entertain, large audiences would turn up to hear the efforts. Silver collections
were taken at these events. In December 1933, a Social Evening was held in the
Beach Pavilion in Saltcoats to augment the funds. After tea the audience was entertained
to "a programme of songs and dances and interludes by the 'Variety Sparks'
from Glasgow". Music for the dance which followed was provided by Gerard
McCulloch and his Syncopators. In later years he was to become the long serving
organist in Saint Peter in Chains. Willie Shanks and his Band from Ardrossan also
contributed. Whist drives were held in the Masonic Hall in Saltcoats and "Half
Crown Cruises" departed from Ardrossan Harbour. The ship would sail to Rothesay
via the Kyles of Bute with dancing to a band on board. All this for twelve and
a half pence and still a profit was made!
Pavilion
During
1936 the Pavilion was demolished, the wall around the garden was removed and the
site cleared. Work on the building commenced in June of the same year and was
externally completed in September 1937. The pillars on either side of the main
entrance to the church grounds are the original gateposts and date from around
1815. Originally the wall between the gate and the pillar which stands halfway
along the South Crescent boundary and also the wall which runs the length of Pavilion
Place were twice the height they are now. They were shortened after completion
of the building. At the same time the stables (on the Pavilion Place wall) and
the octagonal lodge which stood to the right of the entrance and known as the
"Umbrella House" because of the shape of its roof were demolished. Originally
it had been considered that this unusual building could be used as a mortuary
chapel. Today it can still be seen where these structures were by the difference
of the stone on the back of the walls. On the low wall between the centre pillar
and that at the boundary with the next house were very ornate cast iron railings.
These were removed in 1940 to provide much needed metal for the war effort. Again
the remains of these can still be seen. The only other structure remaining is
the lodge which can best be seen from Arran Lane. This building is now the kitchen
of the church hall and although it was re-roofed in the early 1960s the original
sandstone walls, erected at the beginning of the last century, still stand. It
was occupied initially by Paddy Murray and by his successor Michael Meaney who
were caretakers and general handymen.
Saint Peter
in Chains
The
Church of Saint Peter in Chains was officially opened at noon on Sunday 2 October,
1938 by His Grace the Archbishop of Glasgow, the Most Reverend Donald Mackintosh.
High Mass was said, the celebrant being Father
Archibald McSparran who was assisted by Father
James McCarroll, at that time serving at Saint Joan of Arc in Highbury, London,
and Father Robert McCliment, OBE,
MA, who held the rank of Captain in the Army and served in the trenches during
World War I. All were natives of Ardrossan. The Archbishop was attended by the
Vicar General, Monsignor William Daly and Monsignor Henry Forbes, Rector of Saint
Peter's College, Bearsden. The Sermon was preached by Father Frederick Pirrie
of Saint Mary's, Paisley and Father Thomas Cahill of Saltcoats was Master of Ceremonies,
his assistant being his colleague Father Thomas Maguire. The choir under the direction
of Father Thomas Kelly sang Palestrina's "Missa Brevis" and was accompanied
on a borrowed Hammond organ by Cathie Langan. Altar Servers included Andrew McCarroll,
John McCourt, Frank McEvoy, Jim Courtney and Arthur Murphy. Saint Peter in Chains
was the twenty-third church to be built for the Archdiocese of Glasgow.
Father Doherty presided at the lunch which was served afterwards in the convent of the Franciscans of the Immaculate Conception in Montgomerie Crescent in Saltcoats. Catering was provided by Charles Oxley Lee of the Kilmeny and Eglinton Hotels.
The
explanation of the name Saint Peter in Chains can be found in the Acts of the
Apostles, Chapter 12, Verses 1-7.
The
building, at that time probably one of the largest brickwork structures in Scotland,
is constructed of "Accrington Nori" rustic facing brick. Findlay and
McGeechan of Glasgow were the builders and employed some local labour. The foreman
bricklayer, Alexander "Sanny" Archibald of Saltcoats, was personally
responsible for the decorative brickwork around the main door and the side door
under the tower. Roof tiles are "Walley's Supero" red rustic sanded
variety. The tower is crowned with an octagonal copper "lantern" now
oxidised green but, no doubt, was bright and shining when erected in 1937. Original
plans were for a light to be installed, but this was opposed by the Commissioners
of Northern Lighthouses, the organisation in Scotland responsible for navigational
buoys and lighthouses around the coast. It was feared that, from the sea, it could
be confused with the lighthouse at the entrance to Ardrossan harbour with disastrous
consequences. The finial on top, 24 metres above the ground acts as a lightning
conductor. The seating, for around 800, is constructed of American white oak by
Thomas Stewart Ltd. who were joiners for the rest of the building. A contemporary
report states that the seating was "specially designed for comfort in kneeling".
However, as many will verify, this comfort disappears on sitting as the back rests
are too low.
The
interior was finished in plaster with cream pigment added. The Stations of the
Cross were modelled and carved by Archibald Dawson, ARSA. The high altar was donated
by Harry Kemp and was
constructed and installed by James Youden and Son Ltd. This, together with the
side altars and altar rail, were built using Raw Sienna, Pavonazzo, Travertine,
Arno Aiti and Swedish Green Marble. The crucifix above the high altar, sanctuary
lamps and paschal candle holder were donations from the Langan family of Ardrossan.
The carved wood statue of the Madonna and Child was gifted by Miss Katherine Shearer
of Montgomerie Street and the statue of the Sacred Heart, which is a copy of the
one at Montmartre in Paris was the-gift of Mrs Jane Reilly of Saltcoats. The pulpit
which was external to the sanctuary and under the canopy bearing the inscription
"Tu es Petrus et super hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam" (Thou
art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church) was of the same wood as the
seats and had a red velvet surround. The baptismal font of granite was situated
in the porch. The total cost of the project was £10000. The large grounds
were subdivided into sixty-one sections and leased to individuals as allotments
for cultivation and growing of crops.
Jack
Coia, CBE, RIBA, was the architect. He was born in 1898 and graduated from
the Glasgow School of Art in 1923. After a short period in London he returned
to Glasgow where he lectured at the School of Art. Later he became a partner in
the firm of Gillespie, Kidd and Coia and designed the Palace of Industry and the
Roman Catholic Pavilion for the Empire Exhibition which took place at Bellahouston
Park, Glasgow in 1938. Renowned for his many church designs, he received three
medals from the Royal Institute of British Architects. These were for Saint Bride's,
East Kilbride, 1963; Our Lady of Good Counsel, Dennistoun, 1966 and Saint Peter's
College, Cardross, 1967. In 1969 he received the RIBA gold medal for architecture.
Charles McKean of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland in a recent
book on architecture of the 1930s comments: "Saint Peter in Chains marks
a departure from the usual. An off-centre, Swedish influenced tower is an essential
part of the composition, the church roof has a much shallower pitch and the craft
details are not superimposed in the stone as in other churches, but take the form
of cut bricks, emphasising an almost Gothic tympanum, and similar brick detailing
surmounts the two flanking windows."
New Parish
Although the church
in Ardrossan had been completed it was many years before the parish had a priest
of its own. It continued to be served from Saltcoats, initially by Father Doherty
and from 1939 by Father, later Canon, Michael O'Connor. The first marriage in
the new church was that of Thomas Bernard Smyth to Elizabeth Veronica Marshall
on the day after the opening. The first baptisms, of Thomas Peter McCann, son
of Thomas McCann and Mary Agnes Murray and Henry Joseph Sammons, son of Joseph
Sammons and Sarah Quinn took place on Sunday 13 November 1938. The first Requiem
Mass was for Robert Hastings on 30 December 1938. During the war years, if German
air raids were anticipated, a priest would sleep in the church as a precaution
in the event of an outbreak of fire. Fortunately his services were never required.
In
1946, Archbishop Mackintosh transferred Father
McSparran from Saint John the Evangelist in Glasgow to be the first Parish
Priest of Saint Peter in Chains. This was a unique appointment as he was a native
of the town. The following year the first assistant priest, Father
Matthew Littleton, was assigned to the parish and Father
McSparran was made a Domestic Prelate.
At a function in the Lyric
Cinema, Ardrossan on 9 February 1947 Monsignor
McSparran was presented with a cheque by James Dorrian on behalf of the parishioners.
Prior to this, Daniel Scullion, headmaster of Ardrossan Central School, presented
the new Monsignor with a set of Breviaires from the staff and pupils. In October
1948 parishes in the North Ayrshire district became incorporated in the Diocese
of Galloway which was administered from Dumfries. Previously they had been part
of the Archdiocese of Glasgow. During his tenure of office Monsignor
McSparran's health deteriorated. He died on 10 March 1950. His successor was
Father Peter Fitzpatrick who had
previously been Parish Priest at Saint Palladius', Dalry. The same year Father
Littleton was transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes and Saint Patrick, Auchinleck
and was succeeded by the newly ordained Father
James O'Sullivan. Father Fitzpatrick
was appointed to the Cathedral Chapter in November 1951. His sudden death on 6
January 1952 precluded his installation. Father
William McBurnie succeeded him. His stay at Ardrossan lasted less than two
years; he died while visiting his father on 22 August 1953 in his native Dumfries.
In the six years since the first appointment three priests held the charge and
all had died in office.
While having dinner with some other priests shortly after his arrival at Ardrossan in October 1953, Father Lawrence Walls Fischer was jokingly told by his colleagues, that in the light of previous events, he would live only another six months. This was, of course, far from the truth as, in fact, he was the longest serving Parish Priest. His first mass in Saint Peter in Chains was on the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost and he introduced himself to the congregation by referring to the Epistle of that day: "Brethren: Be ye renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new man...". "I am the new man", he said. His "reign", which was to span 27 years, had begun.
At
the same time, a year after he was ordained, Father
Charles Matthews was appointed assistant to Father
Fischer. Father Matthews could
be seen pedalling about the town on his green and white bicycle in the course
of his duties. In February 1955, Father
Fischer celebrated the silver jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood
and at a function held in Castlecraigs was presented with a silver tea service
on behalf of parishioners.
As there was no presbytery beside the church,
the priests lived at 9 South Crescent. This was half of a large three storeyed
semi-detached house, the other half being the Convent of the Sisters of Misericorde
of Sees. In October 1945, application was made from the Mother House of the Congregation
to the Archbishop of Glasgow for permission to open a new house in Ardrossan.
On 6 May 1946 Archbishop Campbell replied and in 1947 the sisters arrived. This
order of nuns, of French origin, was known locally as the "Nursing Sisters",
many being trained nurses. After difficulties encountered on their arrival, they
became accepted and respected by the whole community. They did invaluable work
attending the old and the sick in Ardrossan and neighbouring towns. They, like
Father Matthews, also got around
on bicycles, although in later years they adopted "mopeds" as their
means of transport. A great event, at that time, was the annual whist drive to
help support the Sisters. A target of a hundred tables was set but there were
always more. A committee was formed to organise this function and their first
meeting was held in Delgreco's Restaurant (now Eugene's) in Princes Street. The
office-bearers were: President, James Dorrian; Vice President, James McGrattan;
Treasurer, Harry Spencer and Secretary, Dolores McNamara. This was the beginning
of the Parochial Committee which served for many years and organised the popular
and well attended Saint Patrick's and Saint Andrew's Nights. Parochial Reunions
and Church Workers' Socials were also held. Entertainment was provided by "Concert
Parties" and these shows, in Castlecraigs, would be compered by the ever
funny Joe Long who was billed as "Ayrshire's Ace Comedian". The Garden
Fete or Sale of Work was an annual event held in July and it was customary for
a prominent person or celebrity to open it. These included Sir Patrick Dollan,
former Lord Provost of Glasgow, Bishop Joseph McGee, Raymond Boyd of Scottish
Television and Bobby Lennox of Celtic Football Club and Scotland. In 1957 the
fete was opened by Monsignor John Power, who as a junior priest in Saltcoats in
November 1916, became well known for his courage in attending men who were trapped
in the hold of the Norwegian grain ship "Hjortnes" which went aground
on Horse Island. Many people will remember the Garden Fete when large crowds turned
up hoping to see Larry Marshall of Scottish Television's One O'Clock Gang, but,
after patiently waiting in worsening weather conditions, the fete got under way
without him. He forgot to come! The Saint
Vincent de Paul Society Conference in Ardrossan was formed six months after
separation from Saltcoats with members continuing to attend meetings there until
they became established at Saint Peter in Chains. Their meeting place was an outhouse
behind the presbytery at 9 South Crescent. The Society is still going strong and
is the longest serving organisation within the parish. The Legion
of Mary formed their
own group in Ardrossan and during the early 1960s members could be seen along
the promenade with their specially constructed barrow selling Catholic Truth Society
publications and Catholic newspapers.
Processions in the church grounds were another summer feature. On a Sunday in
May the statue of the Madonna and Child would be removed from the side altar and
fitted to a frame which would be carried shoulder high by members of the Sodality
of the Children of Mary. The Corpus Christi processions took place in June when
the Blessed Sacrament would be borne by the priest under a canopy and escorted
by members of the Saint Vincent
de Paul Society or Knights of Saint Columba to an outdoor altar for Benediction.
Hymns sung during these occasions were led by the choir under the direction of
John Cosgrove who is still choirmaster. Large crowds of onlookers would gather
on Castle Hill at these events.
Saint
Anne's Guild was started in 1947 by Annie and Theresa Marron and met above
their shop in Princes Place. The Guild has been active ever since. Mary O'Hare,
later Mrs McLaughlan, played a big part in Saint
Anne's Guild and the Parochial Committee. In recognition of her work she was
elected Catholic Woman of the Year in 1972.
Presbytery
and Halls
Plans for a new presbytery were drawn up in 1955. Once again Jack Coia was the architect responsible and in the following year work began on the building of the house beside the church. This had been preplanned when the church was designed in 1936. Father Fischer was impatient to move in; his bed was taken along and he stayed there to look after valuables, carpets, etc! The builders finished the job around him. The house, which was built to accommodate three priests and a housekeeper so well matches the church, that in the subsequent weathering, the age difference of twenty years is not at all obvious. The following year the garage and sheds to the rear of the church and the wall between the side of the house and the boundary were added. The then vacant 9 South Crescent was taken over by the Sisters of Misericorde of Sees thus doubling the size of their convent and named Saint Theresa's House.
Around
this time a Boys' Club was formed, and met regularly in the Labour Hall "up
a close" in Glasgow Street. Father
Matthews with men from the parish played a very active part.
In May 1958,
James Dorrian, for many years a local councillor and an active member of the Parochial
Committee and Saint Vincent
de Paul Society was elected Provost of Ardrossan Town Council. His Robes and
Chain of Office were presented to him at a ceremony in Ardrossan Burgh Chambers
in Kilmahew Street by Sheila Kennedy and Mary O'Hare. It was traditional, in those
days, for a new Provost and his Council to attend church on the Sunday after the
election for what was known in the Church of Scotland as the "Kirkin' o'
the Cooncil". So it became that Provost Dorrian, accompanied bv council members
and Burgh officials was "kirked" in Saint Peter in Chains.
Special Collections on many Sundays were for the "Reduction of Debt" and these ended in November 1962 when the final debt was cleared. These collections were thereafter for the "Renovation Fund". This and the monthly collection for men and women which was uplifted by volunteers going door to door ended in December 1964. On the first Sunday of 1965 the Freewill Offering or "Pledge" system was inaugurated
In March 1963 Saint Peter's Association was formed as a fund-raising organisation to encourage interest in the welfare and activities of the youth of the parish. Many social functions were held to this end. "Record Hops", perhaps the forerunner of the modern day disco, were held on Sunday evenings, when the church hall would be full to capacity.
The Silver Jubilee of the church of Saint Peter in Chains took place on 2 October 1963 and for the occasion the church was painted internally. Stations of the Cross and light fittings were removed, statues and crucifixes were stowed away for safe keeping, dust sheets were draped everywhere and a huge scaffolding was erected.
The priests received gifts from the parishioners and the parish children were entertained in the Regal Cinema in Saltcoats with the compliments of the Kemp family. In the same year Father Matthews who had served for 11 years, the longest term of any assistant priest, moved to Saint Thomas Apostle, Muirkirk. He was replaced by Father John Murphy who was to remain just over a year.
At
this time work was started on the erection of a hall under the supervision of
John Dolan. Many volunteers
did the preparatory work and assisted with the internal finishing. Originally
a wooden structure, the roof was raised, a new floor laid and, more recently,
brick walls were added. Shortly afterwards, as a result of new building at Seafield
Residential School in Eglinton Road, wooden "huts" which had been previously
used as dormitories became available. The building now known as "The Lounge"
was dismantled by Hugh Conway and a few youths, transported and re-erected to
become a workshop for the use of the Boys' Club.
1964 saw the arrival of Father John Walls,
a native of Ayr. During his time at Ardrossan he started Saint Joseph's Guild
which was a discussion group for men on the various aspects of the Church.
Mass
in Saint Peter in Chains in English was said for the first time at 7 00 pm on
Friday 2 March 1965. This rite, much different from today, was a direct translation
from the Latin and the priest faced the congregation. As the space behind the
high altar was limited this was made possible by the erection of a temporary wooden
altar in front. That year also saw most Holy Week services in English and the
first lay lector read from the altar in November. Fatima Novena Devotions on a
Friday evening were replaced by mass.
On 20 September 1965, clergy from the six churches in the town met to discuss the formation of a local Council of Churches. The first project was the erecting of a Nativity Scene in the grounds in front of Castlecraigs and on 22 December 1965 the first united Christmas Service of Carols was held. This event was popular for many years but has since been discontinued.
Rosary was said in the homes of parishioners, on a rota basis, on weekday evenings by members of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society or Legion of Mary.
On
12 June 1966, an Evening Service of hymns and readings was broadcast "live"
from Saint Peter in Chains on the Scottish Home Service of the BBC and was led
by Father Walls.
In October 1966
Bishop McGee announced that Father Fischer
was to be made a member of the Cathedral Chapter and a committee was formed to
organise the presentation of his Canonical Robes. This took place at a function,
to a full house, in Castlecraigs on Sunday 18 December 1966. Clergymen from all
the churches in Ardrossan were invited as were priests from the neighbouring towns,
former priests of Saint Peter in Chains and local dignitaries. The presentation
was made by Patrick Cunningham and Hugh Magee, the oldest male parishioners. The
address to Canon Fischer was read.
He replied and other speakers contributed. In the concert which followed, it was
noteworthy that every performer was a parishioner. Canon
Fischer was for many years Diocesan Master of Ceremonies and also Treasurer
of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith in the Diocese of Galloway.
The
following year, Henry McFarlane became the first native of Ardrossan to be ordained
in Saint Peter's. The ordination by Bishop McGee took place on 1 July 1967. Subsequently
Father McFarlane took up an appointment at Saint Mary's in Irvine.
Funds became available for the purchase of a pipe organ. This replaced the increasingly unreliable electronic instrument which had been purchased twenty-two years previously for £200. It was not unknown for the organist to transfer "mid-hymn" to the old harmonium which was on stand-by. J W Walker and Sons of Ruislip, who supplied the organ for the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool built and installed the organ in the space that had been left in the original design, for such an eventuality. The total cost was £5518. The first sung mass in English, the music of which was written by Father, now Monsignor, Francis Duffy VG, was celebrated on the feast of Christ the King in 1967.
In May 1968, the 8 00 am morning mass was discontinued in favour of the later time of 10 00 am and in August, Holidays of Obligation ceased to be a holiday from school. In the same year, Father Walls left to take up an appointment at the Good Shepherd Cathedral, Ayr and was replaced by Father Alistair Grant Tosh. The original pulpit was removed and a new, though temporary one, was constructed and erected inside the sanctuary and the rite of mass, which remains today, was introduced.
In 1971, the Verona Fathers bought the house at 8 South Crescent at one time owned by Harry Hopperton, Provost of Ardrossan from 1935 to 1938. Named Saint Joseph's House, it became a noviciate of the order which is also known as the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus. The house was opened on 24 October 1972 by Bishop McGee and the first community under the direction of Father Stanislaus Woods, Superior and Father Joseph Valenti, Novice Master, consisted of four Aspirants to the Brotherhood and two Postulants for the Noviciate.
In
the summer of 1974, Father Tosh was
appointed to Saint Palladius', Dalry and his successor was Father
Declan Kelly. In 1977, after thirty years service to the community, the "Nursing
Sisters" sold their convent at 9/10 South Crescent and moved to a smaller
house in Irvine. In September 1983, they left Scotland completely and returned
to the Mother House in France.
Major alterations to the sanctuary took
place in 1979. Jack Coia, then in retirement
at Glendaruel, supervised the removal of the altar rails and the dismantling and
re-modelling of the high altar which was replaced forward of its original position.
The "horns" on either side on which the sanctuary lamps stood, were
removed. The new tabernacle was installed in the back wall. Marble from the altar
rails, in conjunction with new material, was used to manufacture the baptismal
font and pulpit. New lighting was installed throughout the church which was re-painted.
During the late 1970s, Canon Fischer's health deteriorated to such an extent that he became housebound. He died in Ballochmyle Hospital on 10 October 1980. His requiem mass was concelebrated by over fifty of the clergy of the Diocese and the homily was given by the Vicar General, Monsignor Duffy in the absence of Bishop McGee who was abroad. He was buried in Ardrossan Cemetery alongside two of his predecessors, Monsignor McSparran and Canon Fitzpatrick.
After Canon Fischer died, Father Kelly was transferred to Saint Thomas, Apostle in Muirkirk. Father Michael Lynch came from Kirkcudbright in November 1980 to take over as sole priest.
The Saturday vigil mass was introduced with singing being led by music provided by guitars, mandoline and tambourine. Father Joseph Glendinning who had been ordained a few months previously at Saint Winin's, Kilwinning, was appointed assistant in 1981. He remained only a short time and was transferred to Newton Stewart in May 1982 again leaving the parish in the sole charge of one priest.
The second ordination in Saint Peter in Chains took place on 2 July 1981. Peter Magee was ordained by Bishop Maurice Taylor who had been consecrated on 7 April 1981 after the death of Bishop McGee. Bishop Taylor, previously Monsignor, was parish priest at Our Lady of Lourdes, East Kilbride.
Sisters of the Franciscans of the Immaculate Conception, who twenty years previously had a house in Montgomerie Crescent in Saltcoats, set up a convent at 46 Stanley Road in 1982. Their present convent at 23-25 McKellar Avenue was opened in May 1986.
In 1983, the long running Parochial Committee was replaced by the Parish Council and drew its members from different groups and organisations within the parish. In the same year the newly ordained Father John McCaig, who had previously spent his Diaconate at Ardrossan, was appointed assistant and served until 1986 when he was transferred to Saint Meddan's in Troon and was succeeded by Father Paul O'Brien, a Carmelite from Portsmouth.
Over
the past fifty years Saint Peter in Chains parish has grown considerably with
a Catholic population of four thousand and is now the largest parish of the forty-four
in the Diocese of Galloway.
The Future
Father
Michael Lynch writes:
A Golden
Jubilee is a time for thanks and appreciation. We take the opportunity of thanking
all who have contributed to the growth and development of the community of Saint
Peter in Chains. The spiritual and physical contours of the parish have changed
over the past fifty years and will continue to do so as we move into another century
and help to build the City of God. We would do well to remember the words of Pope
John Paul II on 1 June 1982 in Bellahouston Park, Glasgow: "You originate
in a glorious past but you do not live in the past. You belong to the present
and your generation must not he content simply to rest on the laurels won by your
grandparents and great grandparents. You must give your response to Christ's call
to follow Him and enter with Him as co-heirs into His Father's Kingdom."
May
God bless the Parish of Saint Peter in Chains. May he bless all those who visit
us, work with us, and pray with us now and in the future.
Parish
Priests
ARCHIBALD McSPARRAN, 1946-1950: Born 22 August, 1882 at Ardrossan. Educated at Saint Mary's School, Saltcoats; Saint Mary's College, Blairs; Saint Peter's College, Bearsden. Ordained at Saint Andrew's Cathedral, Glasgow, 24 June, 1908. Served at Saint Patrick's, Dumbarton, 1908-1927; Saint Patrick's, Strathaven, 1927-1930; Holy Cross, Croy, 1930-1933; Saint John's, Glasgow, 1933-1946, Saint Peter in Chains 1946-1940, Domestic Prelate, 1947. Died at Ardrossan, 10 March 1950, aged 67.
PETER FITZPATRICK, 1950-1952: Bom 22 March, 1888 at Foxford, County Mayo. Educated at Saint Jarlath's, Tuam; Missionary College of All Hallows, Dublin; Saint Peter's College, New Kilpatrick. Ordained at Saint Andrew's Cathedral, Glasgow, 28 June 1914. Served at Saint Joseph's, Tollcross, 1914-1933; Saint Patrick's, Strathaven, 1933-1937; Saint Palladius', Dalry, 1937-1950; Saint Peter in Chains, 1950-1952. Member of Cathedral Chapter, November 1951. Died at Ardrossan, 6 January 1952, aged 64.
WILLIAM McBURNIE, 1952-1953: Born 3 May, 1892 at Maxwellton, Dumfries. Educated at Saint Joseph's College, Dumfries; Saint Mary's College, Blairs; Scots College, Rome. Ordained at Seminary Chapel, Rome, 24 April 1921. Originally on loan to the Archdiocese of Saint Andrew and Edinburgh. Served at Saint John the Evangelist, Cumnock, 1922-1925; Saint Joseph's, Kilmarnock, 1925-1927; Saint Margaret's, Ayr. 1927-1933; Saint Francis Xavier, Waterside, 1933-1937; Saint Sophia's, Galston, 1937-1939; Saint Andrew and Cuthbert, Kirkcudbright, 1939-1952; Saint Peter in Chains, 1952-1953. Died at Dumfries, 22 August 1953, aged 61.
LAWRENCE WALLS FISCHER, 1953-1980: Born 31 August 1904 at Gateshead-on-Tyne, Northumberland. Educated at Saint Mary's College, Blairs; Scots College, Rome. Ordained at Lateran Seminary, Rome, 16 February 1930. Originally on loan to the Archdiocese of Saint Andrew and Edinburgh. Served at Saints Ninian and Triduana, Restalrig, 1930-1931; Saint Joseph's, Kilmarnock, 1931-1939; Our Lady and Saint Cuthbert, Maybole, 1939-1945; Saint Francis Xavier, Waterside, 1945-1953; Saint Peter in Chains, 1953-1980. Member of Cathedral Chapter, October 1966. Died at Ballochmyle, 10 October 1980, aged 76.
MICHAEL
LYNCH, 1980-: Born 21 February 1931 at Cork. Educated at Saint Patrick's College,
Carlow. Ordained at Carlow Cathedral, 5 June 1955. Served at Saint Margaret's,
Ayr, 1955-1960; Our Lady Star of the Sea, Saltcoats. 1960-1964; Saints Andrew
and Cuthbert, Kirkcudbright, 1964-1980; Saint Peter in Chains. 1980-.
Assistant Priests
MATTHEW LITTLETON, 1946-1950: Born 8 December, 1903 at Dangan, County Clare. Educated at Saint Flannan's College, Ennis; Missionary College of All Hallows; National University of Ireland. Ordained at Dublin, 16 June 1929. Served at Saint Patrick's, Anderston, 1929; Holy Cross, Croy, 1929-1932; Saint Joseph's, Glasgow, 1932-1936; Saint Columbkille's, Rutherglen, 1936-1939; Saint John the Baptist, Port Glasgow, 1939-1946; Saint Peter in Chains, 1946-1950; Our Lady of Lourdes and Saint Patrick, Auchinleck, 1950-1953; Saint Joseph's, Kilmarnock, 1953-1977. Member of Cathedral Chapter, 1966. Freeman of the Burgh of Kilmarnock, 1975. Died at Kilmarnock, 9 August, 1977, aged 73.
JAMES O'SULLIVAN, 1950-1953: Born 18 September, 1923 at Cork. Educated at Saint Finbarr's Seminary, Cork; Saint Patrick's College, Carlow. Ordained at Carlow, 5 June, 1949. Served at Saint Peter in Chains. 1950-1953. Emigrated to America, 1953.
CHARLES MATTHEWS, 1953-1963: Born 19 November 1927 at Clooneen, Granard, County Longford. Educated at Saint Mel's College, Longford; Saint Peter's College, Wexford. Ordained at Wexford, 8 June 1952. Served at Saint Joseph's, Kilmarnock, 1952-1953; Saint Peter in Chains, 1953-1963; Saint Thomas, Apostle. Muirkirk, 1963-1980; Saint Joseph's, Catrine, 1980-1982; Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Millport, 1982-1987; Saint Mary's, Irvine, 1988-.
JOHN MURPHY, 1963-1964: Born 19 May 1930 at Annbank. Educated at Saint Margaret's School, Ayr; Saint Mary's College, Blairs; Propaganda Fide College, Rome. Ordained at Saint Andrew's Cathedral, Dumfries, 16 July 1954. Served at Saint Joseph's, Kilmarnock, 1954-1958; Saint Andrew's Cathedral. Dumfries, 1958-1963; Saint Peter in Chains, 1963-1964; Saint Conal's, Kirkconnel, 1964-1971; Saint Columba's, Annan, 1971-1978. Died at Nithsdale, 25 April 1978, aged 48.
JOHN WALLS, 1964-1968: Born 10 February 1937 at Ayr. Educated at Saint Mary's College, Blairs; Royal Scots College. Valladolid. Spain. Ordained at Valladolid, 18 March 1961. Continued his studies at Scots College, Rome, 1961-1964; Saint Peter in Chains, 1964-1968; Good Shepherd Cathedral, Ayr. 1968-1970; Royal Scots College, Valladolid, Vice Rector, 1970-1974; Rector, 1974-1981; Saint Paul's. Hurlford, 1981-. Member of Cathedral Chapter, 1977.
ALISTAIR GRANT TOSH, 1968-1974: Born 3 September 1939 at Dumfries. Educated at Saint Joseph's College, Dumfries; Saint Mary's College, Blairs; Saint Andrew's College, Drygrange. Ordained at Saint Theresa's, Dumfries, 30 March 1963. Served at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Onthank, 1963-1968; Saint Peter in Chains, 1968-1974; Saint Palladius', Dalry, 1974-1976; Holy Trinity, Lockerbie, 1976-1982; Saint Brigid's, Kilbirnie, 1982-.
DECLAN KELLY, 1974-1980: Born 11 November 1944 at Cooraclare, County Clare. Educated at Saint Flannan's College, Ennis; Saint Patrick's College, Carlow. Ordained at Carlow Cathedral, 7 June 1969. Served at Saint Mary's, Irvine, 1969-1970; Saint Brendan's, Saltcoats. 1970-1971; The Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Girvan, 1971-1974; Saint Peter in Chains, 1974-1980; Saint Thomas. Apostle, Muirkirk, 1980-1985.
JOSEPH GLENDINNING, 1981-1982: Born 21 June 1916 at Wakefield, Yorkshire. Educated at Saint Michael's College, Leeds. Worked for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and served in the Royal Air Force during World War II. Returned to British Railways and retired as Chief Personnel Officer, Scottish Region, British Rail in 1976. Following the death of his wife in 1977, he entered the Pontifical Beda College, Rome. Ordained at Saint Winin's, Kilwinning, 3 December 1980. Served at Saint Winin's, Kilwinning, 1981; Saint Peter in Chains, 1981-1982; Our Lady and Saint Ninian. Newton Stewart. 1982-.
JOHN McCAIG. 1983-1986: Born 26 August 1957 at Kilmamock. Educated at Saint Joseph's Academy, Kilmarnock; Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh; Royal Scots College, Valladolid; Pontifical University of Comillas. Ordained at Good Shepherd Cathedral Ayr, 8 July 1983. Served at Saint Peter in Chains, 1983-1986; Our Lady of the Assumption and Saint Meddan, Troon, 1986-1987.
PAUL
O'BRIEN, O Carm 1986-. Born 18 November 1955 at Portsmouth, Hampshire. Educated
at Downside School, Somerset; Gregorian University, Rome. Ordained at The Friars,
Aylesford, 19 July 1981. As a Carmelite priest he served as chaplain in Bellevue
Hospital, New York. Served at Saint Columba's, Annan, 1986; Saint Peter in Chains,
1986-.
Vocations from the Parish
PRIESTS
Bernard O'Brien. Ordained at English College, Lisbon for Diocese
of Brentwood, 8 June 1963.
Henry McFarlane. Ordained at
Saint Peter in Chains for Diocese of Galloway, 1 July 1967.
Peter
Magee. Ordained at Saint Peter in Chains for Diocese of Galloway, 2 July 1981.
Stephen Motroni,
SCJ. Ordained at Our Lady,
Star of the Sea, Saltcoats, 4 June 1983.
Gerard
Magee, Dom Joseph Magee, OSB. Ordained at Saint Augustine's College, Westgate
on Sea, Kent, 1 March 1986.
NUNS
Monica
Coulter, Sister Mary of Saint Joseph, Carmelites.
Moira
Donnelly, Sister Moira, Society of the Sacred Heart.
Anne
Mane Quigg, Sister Anne Marie, Verona Sisters.
Saint
Peter's Primary School
Ardrossan Central School was opened on 26 August 1935 and provided for both
primary and secondary pupils, the latter being drawn from the area Largs to Kilwinning.
Originally built in 1882 as Ardrossan Academy, the accommodation was increased
when a two storey extension was completed in 1900 to include a secondary department.
A large gymnasium was added later. In 1933, this school as transferred to larger
premises in Sorbie Road.
Prior to the provision of a school in Ardrossan,
pupils were educated at Saint Mary's School in Springvale Street, Saltcoats. Under
Headmaster Daniel Scullion, the staff of the new school included Miss Baillie,
Miss Canning, Miss Grant, Mrs Grant, Mr McAllister, Miss McCubbin, Mr McGrath,
Mr Neill, Mr Prendergast and Mr Trayner. Mr Stephen Neill, an official of the
Schools Association ran the football team. In its first year 1935-1936, there
were 270 primary pupils and 150 in the "Advanced Division" as the junior
secondary department was then known. The senior secondary school was Saint Michael's
College in Irvine.
In the years before the war a school magazine appropriately
called "The New Venture" was published annually and included contributions
from parents as well as pupils.
With the increase of the leaving-age
from 14 to 15 years in 1946, it became necessary to increase the size of the school
and the "Annexe" at Ailsa Gardens was built. This was in the centre
of the new housing area and accommodated pupils in the early years of primary
education. The school consisted of three "Horsa" type precast concrete
huts with asbestos roofs which offered no insulation and were arranged on three
sides of a square which formed the playground. Among the original teachers were
the Misses Coogan, Miss McKay and Mrs Melvin.
Daniel Scullion, after
twenty years service as Headmaster died on 24 May 1955 and was succeeded by Patrick
Trayner. In the same year the school was renamed Saint Peter's Roman Catholic
Junior Secondary School.
In 1957, the school uniform was introduced and
in 1960 the first ever "school trip" took place. The entire school embarked
on a special train at South Beach station bound for Largs where they boarded the
"Maid of Skelmorlie" for a cruise to Rothesay.
Damage estimated
at £16000 was caused by a fire which occurred on 23 February 1964. The outbreak
was discovered shortly before midnight and was attended by units from Ardrossan,
Dalry and Kilbirnie. Believed to have started in the janitor's room, it spread
to the domestic science room, gymnasium and book store. The excellent gymnasium
was completely destroyed and was never rebuilt.
With a rising population
accommodation both at Ailsa Gardens and South Crescent was becoming inadequate.
In 1963, seven classrooms at the former Saltcoats Public School in Argyle Road
were taken over when this school was transferred to a new building in Jack's Road.
Pupils from Ardrossan continued to travel to Saltcoats until 1967 when classrooms
in the Eglinton School in Ardrossan became available following its move to Stanley
School. The fact that so many different schools were used meant that some pupils
completed their primary education without having been in the main building at
South Crescent. In June 1971, Ailsa Gardens Annexe closed and in August of the
same year, on the introduction of comprehensive education, pupils from Saint Peter's
were transferred to Saint Andrew's Academy, Saltcoats. This school had previously
been Saltcoats Secondary School. In June 197,2 the former Eglinton School which
was built in 1876 was closed. These changes meant that Saint Peter's Primary School
came into being and for the first time in 26 years the school was on the one site
though with numerous alterations and extensions, not under the one roof.
During the summer holiday that followed its last year as a secondary school, on
1 July 1971, a second fire broke out. The fire, of unknown origin, started in
the Headmaster's room on the ground floor and spread to the first floor and roof
space. Water tenders from Ardrossan, Irvine North, Dalry and Irvine fire stations
attended the incident. Three youths were subsequently apprehended and found guilty
of breaking into the school but not guilty of wilful fire raising. All school
records, bank books and log books were lost in the fire.
At Easter 1972,
Patrick Trayner, Headmaster since 1955, retired having served since the school
opened 36 years previously. His successor was Samuel Brogan who served until 1976
when Paula Coia became Head Teacher. Under Mrs Coia, the school has a present
role of nearly four hundred.
Acknowledgements
In the preparation of this commemorative booklet, help has come from
many sources. My grateful thanks are extended to those who contributed in any
way - in particular to my mother Alice McGrattan, Bernard Aspinwall, Kevin Cunningham,
Maggie Edmunds, Cathie Langan, Fathers Michael
Lynch, Peter Magee and Umberto Pasqualone,
Rose McCann, Andrew McCarroll, Peter McCourt, Pat McKay, Bobby McVeigh, Ian Russell,
Patrick Trayner and John Walsh who provided photographs etc or with the benefit
of age recalled their memories to provide the accurate information required for
a publication of this kind. Thanks also to the Local History department of Ardrossan
Library, the North Ayrshire Museum, Saltcoats, the Mitchell Library, the Scottish
Catholic Observer
and the Archdiocese of Glasgow for the use of their resources.
Appendix
VOCATIONS FROM ARDROSSAN WHILE PART OF THE PARISH OF OUR
LADY, STAR OF THE SEA, SALTCOATS
JAMES McCARROLL. Born 5 February, 1883 at Ardrossan. Educated at Saint Mary's
School, Saltcoats; Saint Aloysius College, Glasgow; Saint Mary's College, Blairs;
Grand Seminary of Saint Sulpice, Paris. Ordained for Archdiocese of Westminster,
London, 4 July 1908. Chaplain at Holloway and Pentonville Prisons 1908-1916 where
he witnessed eight executions including those of "Doctor" Crippen and
Roger Casement, the Irish patriot. Died at London, November 1952, aged 69.
ROBERT McCLIMENT, OBE. Born
2 June, 1887 at Ardrossan. Went at an early age to Folkstone where his father
was a marine engineer with the South Eastern and Chatham Railway Company. Educated
at Saint Edmund's College, Ware. Ordained in 1913. Continued his studies at Trinity
College, Cambridge where he graduated Master of Arts. Served as Captain in the
Army, 1914-1918. Headmaster at Gunnersby School which was founded by Cardinal
Herbert Vaughan. Died at London, 1967, aged 80.
CHURCHES
DESIGNED BY JACK COIA, CBE, RIBA
Saint
Anne's, Glasgow, 1933
Saint Patrick's, Greenock, 1935
Saint Peter in Chains, Ardrossan, 1938
Saint
Columbkille's, Rutherglen, 1940
Saint Columba's, Glasgow,
1941
Saint Paul's, Glenrothes, 1958
Saint
Mary of the Angels, Falkirk, 1960
Saint Charles', Glasgow,
1960
Saint Mary of the Assumption, Bo'ness, 1961
Saint
Bride's, East Kilbride, 1963
Our Lady of Good Counsel, Dennistoun,
1965
Saint Peter's College, Cardross, 1966
Jack
Coia died on 4 August 1981.
VERONA FATHERS AT SAINT JOSEPH'S HOUSE
Staninlaus Woods,
Superior, 1972-76
Joseph Valenti, Novice Master, 1972-73
Peter Zuani, Novice Master, 1973-75
Robert
Staton, Novice Master, 1976-81
Luciano Fulvi, Vocational
Promoter, 1973-76; Superior, 1976-83
John Downey, Superior,
1979-83
Peter Villani, 1979-80
Filiberto
Polato 1980-87
Andrew Minisini, 1984-85
Umberto
Pasqualoni, 1983-