| Fr. Harty no doubt had an easier and
more welcoming arrival in the parish than Canon Leteux had experienced
some two years earlier. The good work of Canon Leteux and his
fellow priests had lessened the feelings of resentment caused by
the Jesuits’ departure and Fr. Harty was therefore able start his work
without the opposition of his own parishioners.
Masses were already underway at the
chapel of ease of Sts Peter & Paul in Portobello but there was also
a need for similar chapels at Crofton and Kettlethorpe/Crigglestone where
the Catholic populations were growing due to new housing estates being
developed.
Masses had already been said in private
houses in Crofton from the early 1920’s but in 1934 after some land was
donated for the purpose, Fr Harty opened the chapel of ease of St Joseph.
Of all the chapels of ease served by the parish over the years, St Joseph’s
is the only original building still in current use, though it is now part
of Sts Peter & Paul Parish in Sandal.
In Crigglestone too there had been a
Catholic presence for some time. From 1910 onwards the catechism
had been taught on Sundays in a council school rented for the purpose and
from 1926 Mass had been said in a Working Men’s Club. In 1942 an
old Baptist Chapel was purchased and became St Michael’s Chapel of Ease.
Served by Fr. Harty and his fellow priests at St Austin’s, the chapel provided
masses for the Catholics of Crigglestone and nearby Kettlethorpe. |
