St. Benedict's
History
St. Benedict's parish is situated in St. Alban's Deanery centred on Macclesfield in the Diocese of Shrewsbury, and has a nominal Catholic population of 745. Handforth is situated in the North East corner of the County of Cheshire. The Diocese of Shrewsbury was established in 1850 when Pope Pius IX restored the Hierarchy of England and Wales. The Diocese initially included Cheshire, Shropshire and six Welsh Counties but these were hived off in 1895 to form the Menevia Diocese. There is a total of 194 priests working in the Diocese in 135 churches or chapels.
In 1962 Mass was supplied from Wilmslow using the Community Centre. In 1967 the Bishop announced that a new Parish was to be formed and as a result Father Prendiville came to live at 10 Hall Road, just across the road from a piece of ground that had been purchased by the Shrewsbury Diocese for the building of a new church. Mass continued to be said in the Community Centre and in the garage at 10 Hall Road whilst the the church was under construction.
The Church was built in 1967/68 and the celebratory Mass to mark it's dedication was concelebrated by Bishop Graser and other priests from the area on 25th November 1968. Father Prendiville was instrumental in establishing the parish and building the new church. Father Prendiville died on 8th November 1998 and is buried in Wilmslow Cemetery. He was succeeded by Father Colin Doyle who served the parish faithfully until sadly ill health forced him to retire. He subsequently died on 9th November 1998, the day following the death of Father Prendiville! He was replaced by Father William O'Riordan, who continues to serve the parish to the present time.
Clearing the Site.............Church under Construction................The Interior
The capacity of the new church was a nominal 260, but this could be increased to about 350 by opening a sliding screen to include a small meeting room at the rear of the church.
On the 6th November1993 the parish celebrated it's Silver Jubilee, when Priests present and past, gathered together in the presence of Bishop Gray to celebrate Mass followed by a party evening in the local Community Centre.
Bishop Gray together with Fathers Prendiville, Doyle and O'Riordan
on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee
In 1999 a New Hall was added to the North East facing wall behind the High Altar to provide a suitable venue for meetings and possible expansion of the church at sometime in the future. The new hall was formally opened in October1999 by Father O'Riordan celebrating Mass and blessing the premises.
New Church Hall
Hall Interior
Hall Kitchen
The hall has been well received by parishioners and is now being brought into use for both parish as well as private functions.