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Early Beginnings: St Mary of the Angels, Hooton

Catholic life in the Hooton area traces back centuries, rooted in the quiet perseverance of the faithful. Before public Catholic churches existed, worship was sustained by the Stanley family, who maintained a domestic chapel on their estate. When the chapel closed in 1849, local Catholics had to travel to Puddington to attend Mass.

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A turning point came in 1865 when Fr. P.F. Baron celebrated Mass in a drill shed at Childer Thornton. The following year, Hooton was formally established as a mission, and Canon William Hilton became its first rector. Masses were initially celebrated in a store-loft above a house until a presbytery was built in 1867. On 24 March 1878, the foundation stone of a permanent church was laid. St Mary of the Angels Church was opened on 22 August 1879 by Bishop Knight and was consecrated on 10 June 1883 by Bishop Riddell. Much of its funding and land came from the generosity of Sir John Stanley.

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Growth in Ellesmere Port: Our Lady Star of the Sea

As Ellesmere Port grew in the early 20th century—fueled by its canal and chemical industries—the need for a new parish became clear. In 1909, a temporary corrugated-iron church (the "tin church") was opened on 21 March, with Fr. E.D. Kirby appointed as the first priest. A school was soon established in 1912 to serve over 100 children.

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In 1930, construction began on a permanent church. The red-brick Romanesque-style building of Our Lady Star of the Sea opened on 12 October 1931 and included a striking rose window and decorative baldachino, added the following year. The parish continued to grow in both size and importance, playing a central role in the spiritual life of Ellesmere Port.

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Expansion to Meet Growing Needs: St Saviour's & St Bernard's

In the 1960s, as Ellesmere Port expanded further, new parishes were established to serve developing residential areas. St Saviour’s Church opened in 1960 to serve Great Sutton, and St Bernard’s Church followed in 1968 in the Stanney area, under the leadership of Fr. Campbell.

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These churches, though newly built, quickly became important centres for worship and community in their own right. Each parish maintained its own identity while cooperating closely with Our Lady’s Parish.

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Shared Ministry: The Four Parishes Structure (2007 Onwards)

In 2007, the Diocese established the Ellesmere Port and Hooton Local Pastoral Area, bringing together Our Lady’s, St Bernard’s, St Saviour’s, and St Mary of the Angels under a collaborative structure. A single parish office, located at St Saviour’s, helped coordinate ministry, communications, and sacramental preparation.

 

From this point onward, Baptism, Confirmation, and Marriage programs were shared across the four churches. The Compass newsletter provided joint communication, and parishioners began to experience a stronger sense of unity, even as each church continued to serve its local community.

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A New Chapter of Unity: Since 2022

In 2022, Fr. Edmund was appointed as the single parish priest serving the entire Ellesmere Port and Hooton area. For the first time, all four churches were under the leadership of one priest and one parish office. This marked the beginning of a truly united parish life, with parishioners from all communities working more closely together than ever before.

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Alongside this new structure came a wave of community initiatives and outreach projects. Social projects were launched to support families, the elderly, and those in need, while the parish began hosting regular social events—lunch clubs, dances, quiz nights, and more. These activities not only enriched parish life but deepened the bonds of friendship and service among parishioners.

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A Time of Change: July–September 2025

In July 2025, an announcement was made confirming that St Mary of the Angels would be restructured and merged with Christ the King Parish in Bromborough. Although the announcement was shared in July, the change will take effect in September 2025.

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This decision reflects a broader diocesan plan for sustainability and pastoral care, ensuring that all communities continue to receive support, leadership, and resources. While St Mary’s will formally join a new parish, its rich heritage remains an inseparable part of our shared history and identity.