R.C. Blackbrook, Lancashire. Location of baptism?

[Rowan Tree]

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone can help clarify something for me.

I'm looking at a R.C. baptism on Ancestry. The transcription says the baptism took place at "Blackbrook, Lancashire, England."

Here's the rest of the baptism:

Louisa LITTLER
Bapt. 30th July 1854
Father: William LOWE
Mother: Mary LITTLER

Can anyone help clarify where exactly this baptism took place? There's a Blackbrook in Haydock, there's a Blackbrook in Parr, and there's a Blackbrook Road in St. Helens.

Louisa LITTLER was born 27th July 1854 in Ashton-in-Makerfield.

There's another Louisa LITTLER b. 6th June 1854, daughter of William LITTLER and Martha nee TAYLOR, bapt. 14th June 1854 at St. Thomas, Ashton-in-Makerfield.

Beware about getting the two Louisa's confused.

Many thanks,

Rowan Tree 

[ShaunJ]

The source register is described here as St Helens>Blackbrook

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/62472/images/62472_314054001182_1399-00103

[CaroleW]

There was (or is) a St Marys RC church at Blackbrook St Helens

[Rowan Tree]

Thank you to both Shaun and Carole,

I appreciate your comments.

Shaun, knowing it's St. Helens, at the very least, rules anywhere other than St. Helens out.

Carole, I've just Googled "St. Mary Blackbrook St. Helens" and I can see there's a school called St. Mary's Catholic Primary Blackbrook. That's a great start 

Rowan Tree 

[Rowan Tree]

More information with regards to St. Mary R.C. Church;

St. Mary Immaculate, St. Helens is on Blackbrook Road.

A Catholic mission was established in 1674 and the first chapel built in 1752. The present church was built in 1844-5.
It stands on land which formerly belonged to the Orrells, a Catholic colliery-owning family, whose red brick house, known as Blackbrook House, still stands a short way from the church.
In the mid-nineteenth century the house became a convent for the Sisters of Mercy, who built the Blackbrook House Industrial School attached to the former mansion. The school building was built in 1903-4.

[maddys52]

As you say, the Catholic church St Mary, Blackbrook opened in 1845. There is a nice description of the opening, and of the church in "The Preston Chronicle" and other newspapers. However, there was a "Catholic Chapel" at Blackbrook before this which was still in use at least in 1853 (a wedding announcement).

The "R C Chapel" shows here on this 1845 map - or is this the "Church"?
https://maps.nls.uk/view/102344075#zoom=7.1&lat=2509&lon=4875&layers=BT

[CaroleW]

I attended a funeral at St Mary's Blackbrook St Helens in 1994. From memory - Blackbrook is sort of on the edge of Haydock but definitely in St Helens

[Rowan Tree]

As you say, the Catholic church St Mary, Blackbrook opened in 1845. There is a nice description of the opening, and of the church in "The Preston Chronicle" and other newspapers. However, there was a "Catholic Chapel" at Blackbrook before this which was still in use at least in 1853 (a wedding announcement).

The "R C Chapel" shows here on this 1845 map - or is this the "Church"?
https://maps.nls.uk/view/102344075#zoom=7.1&lat=2509&lon=4875&layers=BT

Hi Maddy,

This is fascinating! Thanks so much for looking into this.

You know, I hadn't even considered that there was a chapel and a church co-existing for a time. And I feel rather daft for not having looked in the newspapers yet myself. I've been using newspapers quite a bit recently but it just hadn't occurred to me to use them for this.

The map is brilliant btw!

I'm feeling rather inspired right now.

Thanks 

[Rowan Tree]

I attended a funeral at St Mary's Blackbrook St Helens in 1994. From memory - Blackbrook is sort of on the edge of Haydock but definitely in St Helens

Hi Carole,

This is the kind of local knowledge that's in valuable. Thanks!

I'm actually from neighbouring Newton-le-Willows, but when I initially read "Blackbrook," I thought, "yes, but, which one?" 

Rowan Tree