History of Parish
Rectors of the Parish and Past events
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
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