by Shona » Sun Oct 11, 2015 6:20 pm
You've got a good lot of info there, Eric. I had also noticed that he married Clara Francis Crowther, Yet his military records reveal his wife to be a Maud Ethel Longstreeth (who is recorded as a passenger from Plymouth to Sydney in August 1918. She was 38 and described as a housewife. Clara seems to have been alive and well, though, and died in Lincoln in March 1973, aged 96. Although saying she has been married for 12 years at the time of the 1911 census, she lists herself as the head of the household. Thomas is not there. In this context, it is interesting to read the 1910 missing person request published in Australia.
When the 1901 census was taken, Thomas was boarding in Cromer. He stated that he was married.
I found this report in The Tablet from 6 August 1904. I think this report suggests it is the younger Thomas Longstreeth who built the church, as someone else was the architect.
HUNSTANTON : OPENING OF A NEW CHURCH.—" The religious . devotion of Roman Catholics," says The News and County Press, "as all denominations will agree, is one of the brightest features of an age of indifference and secularism. It would almost seem that Christianity in England is steadily resolving itself into two fundamentally differing parties : Evangelicals of all order, and Catholics of all orders. The terms are, of course, used in their broadest sense. There are many people who would welcome a clear dividing line of denominationalism such as is suggested by the idea just expressed, thinking that that way lie efficiency, competitive energy and zealous enthusiasm for the essential cause. In singleness of aim and steadiness of purpose the Roman Catholics set an example to some denominations who are too apt to fritter away their strength in internecine strife ; and it is these Catholic attributes which have resulted in the establishment of the fabric on the Sandringham-road, Hunstanton, that is henceforth to meet the spiritual needs of the good Catholics, residents and visitors, of Hunstanton and neighbourhood." On Thursday in last week, this new church was solemnly opened. Services had been hitherto held in the chapel at St. Edmund's House, the home of the Dominican Nuns who have settled at Hunstanton. But the establishment of a church had naturally been ever foremost in Father Gamett's mind, and his efforts speedily resulted in the gift of a suitable site from the Lord of the Manor, Ald. Hamon le Strange. The building erected thereon is of a temporary character and will afterwards form the sacristy of the projected church. The building is a free adaptation of the Perpendicular style of architecture. It is constructed of the local Carr stone very boldly treated, large pieces being used. The eaves project considerably beyond the walls of the building and add greatly to the appearance. The tracery of the windows is in Kettonstone, executed by Messrs. Daymond and Sons, of London. The altar, of fumed oak is filled with sculptured panels. The church, which seats about 120 people, has been erected in the short space of two months. The architect is Mr. G. B. Carvill, of Trafalgar Buildings, Northumberland Avenue, S.W., and the builder, Mr. T. Longstreeth, of Overstand.
At the opening Solemn High Mass, coram episeopo, was celebrated. The Right Rev. Mgr. Scott, D.D., V.G. (Cambridge), was the cele brant, assisted by the Revv. D. Cary Elwes and W. II. Read ; the Very Rev. Canon Dwane (Lynford) and the Rev. Father G. Page (Wisbech), assistants at the Bishop's throne. The Rev. A. O'Sullivan (Wolverton) was the master of ceremonies, the Rev. Father H. W. Gray (Northampton), thurifer, and the Rev. Father E. Phillips (Hanley) and the Rev. Father Donlevey (London) the acolytes. The Gregorian Plain Chant was sung.
The preacher was the Rev. Father J. Freeland (Ely). Taking as his text : "And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night ; for upon all the glory shall be a defence" (Isaiah iv. 5), the preacher dealt with the fundamental principles of Catholicism.
After Mass the Bishop of Northampton confirmed two little girls named Harriett Bole and Mary Cole, and the Hon. Otway Plunket (son of Lord Louth).
Luncheon was afterwards served at the Golden Lion Hotel. The Lord Bishop presided, and was supported by a large company, including the Right Rev. Mgr. Scott, V. G., D.D. (Cambridge) ; the Very Rev. Canon Dwane (Lynford), the Rev. Mgr. Nolan (Cambridge), the Revv. Fathers Garnett (Ilunstanton), Drake (Slough), J. Freeland (Ely), B. Eeles (Lynn), Prince (Oxborough), Cary-Elwes (Peterborough), Page (Wisbech), Ketterer (St. Ives), Gray (Sheffield), O'Sullivan (Wolverton, Bucks), Read (Cambridge), A. S. Barnes (University Chaplain, Cambridge), Phillipe (Hanley), Donlevey (Mile Fnd-road Mission), Flynn (Stowmarket), Meinrad Fulton, O.S.B. (Beccles), Weld-Blundell, O.S.B. (Beccles), Butler, O.S.B. (Cambridge), Dom Cyril, 0.S.B., and Stephen Mulligan, C.R.L. (Spalding), Mrs. Ingleby and Miss Ingleby, Mr. C. F. Garnett (Overstrand), Mrs. Leeming, Miss Mason, Miss Murphy, Mr. Arthur ??ard and Mr. ??ard, jun., Mrs. and Miss Wilkin (Lynn), Mr. and Mrs. Carvill (architect), Mrs. Smith (Cambridge), Mrs. and Miss Miles, Miss Beckenham (Cambridge), Miss Moore and Miss E. Moore, Mr. Apthorpe (Cambridge), Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Barber, Mr. O'Hea, Miss Donlevey, Mrs. Floyd, Mr. and Mrs. Beresford, Mrs. Sandys (Cambridge), and the Bon. Otway Plunkett.
The Bishop submitted the toast, " His Holiness the Pope and his Majesty the King." It was just about that time last year, he said, that his Holiness was raised to the throne, and it was also at that time that they were keeping the first anniversary of the coronation of his Majesty, so that the two events were closely associated. Certainly loyalty to the Pope and loyalty to the King were mixed up, for there was the injunction to look up to those whom God had raised up to be in authority. The toast was loyally received. Canon Dwane proposed the health of the Bishop. His lordship had been reminding them of anniversaries, and he thought they would soon have to keep up the anniversary of his lordship's rule over the diocese. (Hear, hear.) It had extended over a period of nearly 25 years, and he trusted they would celebrate the silver jubilee. Ile conveyed to his lordship the wish of all present that his health would be as good next year as during the present one. (Applause.) The toast having been well received,
The Bishop said he thanked all sincerely for their good wishes. What Canon Dwane had said reminded him of former years. When Father Trappes' jubilee was coming on he (the Bishop) was the first curate and Father Anderson the second. The speaker said to Father Trappes "You must allow us to keep your jubilee." And they did• celebrate it and they had to pay all expenses. (Laughter.) They also gave Father Trappes a very large present. (Renewed laughter.) So he himself might look forward to June 9th next year. (Loud laughter and applause.)
Mgr. Scott said all trusted this mission at Hunstanton would be a success. (Hear, hear.) Father Garnett was a most devout and hard worker, and he had made great efforts to extend the work. (Applause.) He submitted "Success to the Mission at Hunstanton," coupled with the names of Father Garnett, Ald. le Strange, and their benefactors.
Father Garnett, in reply, said that when he arrived in Hunstanton last November things did not look very promising. In January he went to Rome with the Bishop, and he asked the Pope's special approval and blessing on the work. His holiness appeared to take a very great interest in what he was told about the requirements of the mission at Hunstanton, approved of the object, and blessed all the benefactors of the work. When he (the speaker) returned he felt there was little to fear, for anything that was blessed by a successor of St. Peter, the first Bishop of their Church, was sure to be a success. (Hear, hear.) A good many Catholics came down to Hunstanton last year, and had to go away as there was no church, and this was not only bad for them but also for the town. Consequently he thought he had better start begging, but as he had such a small congregation it was rather difficult to know what to say except that the Holy Father had blessed the undertaking. (Laughter.) The people took it well, however, and the present erection was the result. (Hear, hear.) That was not the church for ever, but it was, he hoped, the beginning of a scheme only. (Applause.) He expressed his gratitude to all the benefactors, and trusted that he would receive still more help, for when the present building was entirely paid for there was still the house to be yet built for the priest, and, when the present building was found to be too small, a proper church would have to be erected. He acknowledged the way in which he had been received by all Catholics and nonCatholics since he had been at Hunstanton, and he would always welcome them to the church at any time they felt disposed to visit it.
Father Read extended a welcome to the visitors, and
Mr. A. R. ??ard (Wisbech), in response, said that after the way in which they had been treated that (Iv they were almost tempted to become residents instead of visitors. Hunstanton had every qualification as a bodily health resort, and now there was a spiritual health resort as well. (Hear, bear.) They all trusted that great success would attend the effort and that many would be brought into the fold. (Applause.)
Father Garnett proposed the health of the architect, and Mr. Carvill briefly replied.
In the evening Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given at the new church. The Rev. Father Freeland was again the preacher and dwelt upon the history of the Church in England.
Last edited by
Shona on Sun Oct 11, 2015 7:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.