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« on: Wednesday 09 February 11 19:06 GMT (UK) »
I had my meeting today, I don't really want to share too much detail at the moment. I have lots of information and I need to let it all sink in. But below is a transcript of a leaflet I was given about the history of St Teresa's Home, 61 Broom Lane, Salford. I hope is useful to somebody...
St Teresa's Home was founded on 2 July 1932. The property which consisted of two large houses and extensive grounds, was purchased by the community from the Brown family.
The primary work was as a Maternity Home for married ladies. After some time, as the need arose, some unmarried expectant mothers were admitted at the request of His Lordship, Bishop Marshall, the then Bishop of Salford. The Maternity Home was a useful means of sheltering the unmarried mothers and also procuring financial aid necessary to maintain this work.
This joint work continued for a few years until the Maternity Home closed and the care of the unmarried mothers and their babies became the principal work, which flourished over the years.
Most of the babies were adopted and placed in good homes. They became a great source of happiness to their adoptive parents. Some girls decided to keep their babies.
The Sisters, by their devotion, dedication, understanding and sympathy, helped to uplift, encourage and support these girls during a very painful period of their lives and many of them have kept in contact with the Sisters over the years. It is a great consolation to know that many of them benefited spiritually from their stay at St Teresa's.
A Training School for Nursery Nurses began soon after 1941. We know that in 1944 there were six nurses in training. Sr. Catherine Hickey supervised their practical training and the nurses attended one of the hospitals for lectures. Some Sisters were also trained. This branch of the work ceased in 1945.
From about 1948 to 1969, each Parish Priest of the Salford Diocese contributed annually towards the upkeep of the home to suppliment the low income. This was at the request of His Lordship, Bishop Marshall, who held the work of the Sisters in great esteem! It also helped the priests, who were then in a position to refer to Teresa's, girls who came to them seeking help.
In 1964 the Nursery was built to accommodate the increasing number of unmarried expectant mothers. As a result of the Abortion Act, the numbers dropped considerably, so much so that the new building was sufficient to house the existing numbers. From 1970 onwards, the numbers fluctuated.
In 1974 the Sisters moved from the original house and bought 62 Wterpark Road. The two original houses were then demolished and the land sold. St Vincent's Housing Association built nine flats for the elderly on the site previously occupied by the Maternity Home. The site where the Sisters house was situated is still vacant and is owned by the Corporation
In 1979 the Sister's present house, 58 Broom Lane, became vacant and as it was much more convenient to the Nursery, the community purchased it and sold 63 Waterpark Road.
Parish visiting was also one of the works of 61 Broom Lane. The parishes of St Thomas of Canterbury and Corpus Christi, Miles Platting, have been visited by the Sisters for a great number of years. This work continues today.
In August 1984, St Theresa's officially closed.
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