Dr Liam Temple of Durham University tells the story of the Capuchin Franciscans' mission in Thirsk 1923-60, in a talk to the Cleveland Newman Circle.
Capuchin Franciscans played a surprisingly significant role in the development of the Church in Britain. Especially since the restoration of the hierarchy (1850), they were very active in setting up 'missions' (from 1918 officially called 'parishes') to gather and support the growing Catholic population. This was the fascinating story that Dr Liam Temple, of Durham University, developed in his recent talk to the Cleveland Newman Circle: "A Mission for the North; the Capuchin Franciscans in Thirsk 1923-60".
Liam explained that the Capuchins, with their long pointy hoods, emerged as a separate, strict, branch of the Franciscans in Italy in 1525. Before the 19th century their presence in Britain was limited, but after the French Revolution, along with other religious orders, they saw opportunities here. They went where they saw a need. Arriving in an area they would set up a mission, building churches and schools as necessary. Then, sometimes within 20 years, they would move on, passing the mission/parish over to secular clergy.
They had missions throughout Wales, in Peckham (1855), along the Thames valley and up into the Midlands. Liam said that between the two world wars it was an optimistic time of Church growth, and the Capuchins proposed extending missions further north. Their mission in Thirsk (1923) was intended as their springboard into the North - but it turned out to be the furthest north they managed at that time. (The friars' Glasgow mission failed, perhaps because they were termed 'the English Province'!).
The first friars at Thirsk took over All Saints' Church, and worked with the rural Catholic community based there. Records show that the church was kept open with regular Mass, Benediction, Confessions and Evening Prayer. There was a parish school, which organised an annual trip to Redcar, but then - as now - not all the children attended Sunday Mass.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s Thirsk's parish population was around 250. Their 1952's Visitation identified Thirsk as 'the smallest of our foundations', being large in extent but small in numbers. With Capuchin manpower stretched, Thirsk friary became a convalescent home - and then a care-home - for friars. In 1960, with aging friars and reduced vocations, the Capuchins decided to withdraw from Thirsk.
Liam showed evidence of the Capuchins' years in Thirsk, in the churchyard and in the stained glass. But the friars themselves have moved on, following St Francis' encouragement: 'Let us begin again, for until now we have done nothing.'
For further information about the programme of the Cleveland Newman Circle, e-mail p.egerton123@gmail.com or phone 01642-645732. Talks are held in St Mary's Cathedral Hall, Coulby Newham, TS8 0TW. All are welcome!