St Theresa’s Church in Blacon celebrates its golden jubilee

Dec 8 2009 by Allison Dickinson, Chester Chronicle

PARISHIONERS of a Blacon church are celebrating its 50th anniversary.

St Theresa’s Church, Blacon Avenue, was built in 1958 and its current congregation will be marking the occasion with a golden jubilee event on December 15.

Organiser Geoff Taylor explained some of the church’s history.

He said: “Construction started in 1958. It caused great excitement in the community, especially for the many Catholics from Blacon and Saughall who had been attending mass, with the help of priests from St Francis’, in the Army Camp and later a village hall.

“In 1956, Bishop Murphy, RC Bishop of Shrewsbury, had appointed Fr John Corcoran to be parish priest and start a new parish dedicated to St Theresa of Lisieux.

“By 1959, the frame was transformed into a church and became the realisation of a parish dream.

“December 15, 1959 saw St Theresa’s Church blessed and the first mass offered in the presence Bishop Murphy and 92 priests.”

The forthcoming celebration mass will start at 7pm and, along with present and past clergy and parishioners, members of other churches in Blacon and civic representatives will join in the worship before refreshments are served in the Parish Centre.