Sequence © Pierre R. Schwob - by permission.
Original from the Classical Archives

Holy Family Church a Short History

Stained Glass Window

A short history of the Catholic Church in Coventry. (external link)

Canon Arthur Diamond founder of Our Parish

In 1944/5 Mass was first celebrated in the parish by Mgr.Emery Parish priest of St Elizabeth's church Foleshill in an industrial hostel.
On 20th January 1946 Mgr. Emery celebrated Mass in the new Masser Road community centre. Mass continued to be celebrated here until:
In1948Mgr.Emery bought a house, 44 Roland Avenue. When Canon (then Fr.and a curate at St Elizabeth's) Diamond was sent to found a parish in the area he lived in this house and weekday Masses were celebrated in the conservatory of the house, the weekend Masses were at Masser Road community centre.
The Parish of Holy Family was officially and formally established on 1st September 1951
The temporary building, known affectionately as 'The Hut' (it was a black wooden structure similar to those used as army huts) opened for Midnight Mass in December 1952. The temporary building was also used as two classrooms for 80 children.
The Beake Avenue/PennyPark Lane site was purchased on which to build a church, church hall, house and school.


Local church map	Area Map

The site is on the junction of Beake Avenue and Penny Park Lane, this means it borders and the parish contains; Whitmore Park, Keresley and Holbrooks. The parish also spreads out containing parts of Coundon, Radford, Longford and Foleshill.

The primary/junior School was built in 1955 .
The Hall was built in 1957/8 and the extension in 1978/9.
The presbytery was built in 1958.

Permission for the building of the new church was given by Archbishop Grimshaw in November 1964. Plans were drawn up in 1964, lanning permission obtained in 1965. In 1965, construction began on the new church. Most of the cost was raised from the parishioners, who also to save money gave their time and labour.
The Foundation stone was laid by Archbishop George Patrick Dwyer on the feast of Corpus Christi 9th June 1966.
The church seats about 850 people.
The church was officially opened on 1st July 1967 by Archbishop Hyginus E. Cardinale, Papal Delegate to great Britain.

On 31st august 1974 the parish went into a period of great mourning as Fr Diamond was tragically killed in a Road accident.

Holy Family Church foundation stone

Fr Diamond's body is buried under the Lady altar in the Church.

The Hall extension was built in 1975/6

Parish Priests	since Canon Diamond
1974 -1981	Canon B. McKenna
1981 - 1986	Fr.W. Boyle
1986 - 2004	Fr. A.E. Donlon

2004 - present Fr. D.J Devenney

1954 - 1960 Fr Molloy 1960 - 1966? approx Fr McDonnel 1960 - 1966 Fr Eamon Clarke 1966 - 1972 Fr Pat Killgarif 1970 - 1977 Fr Oliver Kemp ???? -???? Fr McPartland 1972 - 1973 Fr John Berry 1975 - 1981 Fr Gerry Hanlon> 1975 - 1978 Fr Eric Morgan 1979 - 1980 Fr Aldo Luigi Tapparo 1980 - 1984 Fr Michael Cottrel 1984 - 1985 Fr Kevin Preston 1981 - ??? Fr Eric Woodhead 1985 - 1989 Fr Michael White 1989 - 1993 Fr John Laybourn

Other priests (curates and assistant priests who served in the Parish).

In 1989/90 Fr Donlon Refurbished the inside of the church. The walls were painted of white, replacing the rather dull grey, new carpets fitted. The sanctuary area was altered extensively and a new smaller altar installed. The choir stalls behind the altar were removed and the choir now sings from upstairs in the 'Choir loft' at the back of the church. The Stained glass window was installed, which together with the repainted walls made the church interior much brighter. The new 'Stations of the cross' were commisioned completed and installed. New lighting was also installed, as well as being brighter, the new lighting has warm yellowish glow which makes the church feel warmer. The PA system was renewed, so now we have both static and radio microphones and amplification for the choirs and a 'Loopsystem' for the hard of hearing.

flying Nun.gif

In 1978 Newbold Revel a Catholic Girls school near Rugby run by the Sisters of Charity of St Paul closed down. The head, Sister Joan Thornhill and several other nuns moved into our parish and the house previously occupied by Mr Murphy, head of the school became a convent, the garage being converted into a chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved.

The pipe organ from Newbold Revel was dismantled and rebuilt in our church to replace the Electric Hamond organ that was always breaking down. We also had a quantity of 'Daily Missals' from Newbold Revel which were in daily use until recently replaced by books of a later edition and better condition.

Sr Joan Thornhill

Sister Joan Thornhill died on 7th. January 1987, but sisters from her order still serve our parish. Currently Nuns living in the Convent are parish sisters Sr Winifred, Sr. Angela (K) and Sr Angela (M).

Building of the church

Opening of the Church