Lost Graveyard Records

[gnorman]

Hi everyone,

I was told be a relative about a church my family used to attend - St Mary's Immaculate Conception Church in Hollinwood. Technically the church was in different boroughs over the years including Oldham, Manchester, Ashton-under-Lyne and Preston.

The church moved to a new site sometime in the 1960's and the church was knocked down. The burial ground remained but it is fenced off and locked up. I could not see any gravestones when I went to check & could not get inside but they may be covered over with moss etc. I have been unable to find any records so far for the graveyard and wondered if anyone could help. This is the marker stone I could see.

Thanks, Luke

[california dreamin]

Are you sure it's not this one in Failsworth? https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Failsworth/StMaryTheImmaculateConception

CD

[heywood]

Hi Luke,

Here is the present church and some history.

https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Failsworth/StMary

When it refers to ‘the present church’ it means the one prior to the one there now.

[heywood]

I think the one you refer to was Mill Street, Failsworth.
You can hopefully see it on this map here with the burial ground.

https://www.rootschat.com/links/01tou/

[gnorman]

Thank you California Dreamin & Heywood. Yes this is the place, it must have been classed as Hollinwood at some stage in the past I suppose.

I cannot find any information on the gravesite itself or how to gain access.

I have tried Manchester Library who put me in touch with Lancashire Records office - neither could tell me anything, the records office couldn't find any reference to the church at all.

Thanks, Luke

[heywood]

No it is/was Failsworth.
The present parish covers Hollinwood too through Holy Family Church but the one you refer to is Failsworth.
The area looks to be industrialised now.
Where is the photograph from?
You could perhaps contact the diocese or Oldham Local Archives.

[gnorman]

Hi Heywood,

I went and took the photo myself, through some railings.

There is a car wash where the church used to be. The school behind the graveyard is now a garage and the graveyard is blocked off by other buildings, it is inaccessible other than from the main gate which is padlocked. I was unable to climb over it.

Thanks, Luke

[california dreamin]

Okay, I can offer up the following information for you - the graveyard was closed before 1933 and landscaped over in the '70s. No known MI's.

I would contact the 'new' church on Clive Road and see what they know. They might have inherited some information.

CD

[gnorman]

Thank you California Dreamin, I will contact them this week and see if they can enlighten me at all.