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Rectors of the Parish of St. Joseph & the English Martyrs
The Rector of the Redemptorist community is elected by the community of Redemptorists -
and therefore not appointed by the Diocese until the Parish was handed over to the Diocese
of Westminster, hence the variety of lengths of election as Rector.
| 1900 | Fr. O. Vassall-Phillips |
| 1916 | Fr. Davidson |
| 1921 | Fr. F. Campbell |
| 1924 | Fr. J. Evans |
| 1927 | Fr. Sproule |
| 1931 | Fr. B. Upton |
| 1936 | Fr. F. Prime |
| 1943 | Fr. J. Hughes |
| 1945 | Fr. W. Locke |
| 1950 | Fr. O. Conroy |
| 1953 | Fr. Austin |
| 1956 | Fr. R.F.L. Hull |
| 1962 | Fr. R.P.G. Jones |
| 1964 | Fr. O. Conroy |
| 1965 | Fr. C. Murray |
| 1971 | Fr. A.P. Freeman |
| 1972 | Fr. A. Hodgetts |
| 1975 | Fr. B. Crowe |
| 1981 | Fr. McGreevy |
| 1987 | Fr. J. Trenchard |
| 1994 | Fr. M. Munelly |
| (Fr. John Murray temporarily assigned
in Fr. Munelly's absence whilst working in South Africa,
Fr. Joe Hanton served Sawbridgeworth and Fr. P. Wilkie served Much Hadham). |
| 2002 | Fr. D. Barnes |
| 2003 | Fr. Jeremy Trood temporarily in charge |
| 2003 | Canon E. Matthews |
Significant events in the Parish through the decades
Here we summarise a small selection of events spanning the 100 or so years in the
parish community. Please revisit here later this year for more details on these past events.
1890-1900
Sisters of St. Mary of Namur establish a Catholic school and convent in Bishop's Stortford.
Cardinal Vaghan identifies Bishop's Storford and Hitchin as towns in need of a mission
1900-1910
First full time clergy presence for 350 years established by the Redemptorist Congregation
First marriage in Parish Register in Convent Chapel - John Sapsford & Alice (nee White).
First Baptism in Parish Register - Catherine Austin (together with rest of family)
Worship Certificate issued by Registrar General, Somerset House - April 18th, 1906
Construction and consecration of the church of St. Joseph & the English Martyrs
Mission conversions by Fr. Vassall-Phillips
1910-1920
First Parish Centre (Parochial Hall) is built
Great War service by parishioners and clergy
1920-1930
Further significant work completed in St. Joseph
1930-1940
Death of Fr. Vassall-Phillips C.SS.R, founder of St. Joseph & the English Martyrs
Major alterations to the Monastery
1940-1950
Mass services extended to local RAF and USAAF bases in the area
1950-1960
Easter procession.
Monastery fire destroys upper levels of accommodation
Cemetery plot established in Monastery gardens
1960-1970
Catholic Womens' League branch established
Baldachino over altar is altered to reduce weight
Knights of St. Columba Council established
Parish Centre is redeveloped
1970-1980
High Altar moved a few metres.
General Visitation - Fr. Pfab (Superior General) and Fr. J. Mythen (Rome)
First Ordination in 400 years in Bishop's Stortford - Fr. Martin Gay C.SS.R
1980-1990
Parish Centre re-opened, with Youth Wing - by Cardinal Basil Hume
Mass of Thanksgiving - bicentenary year of the death of St. Alphonsus
Parish productions 'Fiddler on the Roof ' & 'My Fair Lady'
1990-2000
Polish children from Kuwait complete their GCSE & GCE education and exams
Redemptorists hand over the mission to the Diocese of Westminster
Catenian circle established
St. Joseph church roof renovated
2000-
Millennium celebrations
At your Word Lord programme launched
Open the Doors: Festival of Faith programme launched 14-16th July, 2006
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