A proposal to close one of two historic churches in central Wigan has been dropped after protests from parishioners.
The Archbishop of Liverpool, Malcolm McMahon announced that the churches of St Mary and St John will remain open, saying that he had listened to the concerns of local Catholics and the wider archdiocese.
“I know that my decision will be received with joy in the parish,” the archbishop added.
The churches were built within a few hundred yards of one another in the early nineteenth century by rival Catholic groups. Both are listed Grade II*.
Tensions have continued to the present day: St Mary’s was a separate parish until last July when it was merged into St William’s parish, incorporating it with the churches of St Patrick and St John.
The archdiocese announced the closure proposal soon after, citing the proximity of St Mary’s and St John’s and the need to consolidate services on one site. They were also concerned about a repairs bill totalling £3 million for the two churches.
Parishioners objected to the closure plan at consultation meetings while conservationists warned that a church closed without a plan would quickly become a building at risk. This would be particularly embarrassing given that Wigan is the constituency of Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
The archdiocese has now commissioned a professional evaluation of the churches’ architectural and historical importance, following the agreed procedure for listed buildings. This report will advise on the way forward and can be used in support of grant applications.
Wigan was a staunchly Catholic town through penal times. Tensions developed between the Jesuits and secular clergy in the early nineteenth century.
The Jesuits, supported by Catholic gentry, built the neo-Classical St John’s, while the secular clergy collaborated with Catholic businessmen to build St Mary’s in the emerging English Gothic Revival style. There was a race to complete them, with St Mary’s opening in 1818 and St John’s a year later.
The closure plan followed the retirement and death of the much loved and long-serving parish priest of St Mary’s, Fr John Johnson.
In a statement issued on 21 October, Archbishop McMahon acknowledged the subsequent uncertainty had been difficult for priests and people.
He said: “I am very pleased to announce that after having consulted many people and priests and after consultation and discernment with my Trustees and Advisory Body, I can announce that the churches of St Mary, St John and St Patrick will remain open.
“This will enable to us to focus on the mission of the Catholic Church in central Wigan in a new and exciting way, building on the strengths of all that has gone before.
“I want to say that I have listened to the concerns raised by all three parish communities and by the wider community of the archdiocese. I know that my decision will be received with joy in the parish.
“I can also announce that Fr Paul Grady will take up the post of parish priest from January 2025, with Fr Ian O’Shea taking up another appointment elsewhere. Fr Hugh Donleavy will continue as assistant priest.”
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