The history of Bournemouth does not start before the nine-teenth century, and very little is known except the actual site the town - a pleasant bay surrounded by high cliffs, a very small hamlet there occupied by a handful of fishermen.

During the periods of the terrible persecutions of the Tudor and Stuart kings and queens the English Jesuits formed a "college" comprising the counties of Sussex, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset; in 1633 the headquarters were at Lulworth Castle. There can be little doubt that all the countryside in and about Bournemouth was the scene of their apostolic labours as they followed the tracks which have now become the main roads of the town.

The nearest Missionary Centre was the small village of Stapehill, almost lost in the Forest, but it is doubtful if Fr. Stafford, the first Jesuit missionary of whom we have mention, ever lived there. He was certainly stationed for a time at Canford Magna, where the Jesuits had a "Mission" twenty years before they resided at Stapehill as their mission centre (picture).



Fr. Michael Jennison. S.J. was the first resident priest at Stapehill in 1680, and until 1820 this village remained the centre of the Missioners' labours around what is now Bournemouth.

In that year the house was given over to the Cistercians. Wild rumours about the number of Jesuits stationed there were everywhere believed; they were suspected too of holding there an underground school for a hundred boys! Years later a chalice and paten were found hidden in the wall of the Cistercian Convent.

Fr. Thomas Fairfax succeeded Fr. Stafford. He had previously taught philosophy at Magdalen College, Oxford, but was driven out in 1688 when James II abdicated and was replaced by William of Orange. Later he was imprisoned, but was released and worked in London until 1701, when he was again sent on the Hampshire Mission.

There was an unbroken line of Fathers until 1802, when the mission was given up by S.J.

From the year 1802 until 1861 Bournemouth had no Catholic history, nor was there any such thing as a Catholic place of worship in the town.

In 1861 there came to the town Mr. Maurice O'Connell to act as drill sergeant to the 4th Hants Volunteers, and he is the first known, Catholic to live here since the Reformation. The town had now become a large fishing village of some 5000 to 6000 inhabitants. A Catholic mission centre had been established in Poole in 1839.

In the winter of 1861 a Mrs. Washington Hibbert took up a temporary residence at the Belle Vue Hotel, where now stands the Pavilion; there she opened a private Oratory for the use of her fellow Catholics.

Thenceforward Catholics could hear Mass only according to the provision and hospitality of the nobility and gentry who chanced to be staying in Bournemouth for the winter season. Lady Catherine Petre continued the Oratory at Belle Vue. At that time Mr. Thomas was the sole Catholic resident as Mr. O'Connell had left the town. Thomas Weld. Esq.,

"We had four Catholics as a rule at Mass, and, when as many as eight attended the last Mass on Sunday we rejoiced at our large congregation, most of whom were visitors. I may mention that the only Catholics here were Mr. Thomas Long and Mr. Conolly whose young son served the Mass."

On December 3rd following came Mrs. Bullough and Mrs. Askew, the first-named a convert in her young days, who had devoted her time to work for the Church. The latter was the singer at the first Benediction at Anstey, as also on the Sundays and Fridays for many years.

In 1869 Dr. Fall's house on Richmond Hill, which had been partly burnt down, was bought. There a temporary chapel was arranged, the walls being hung with red baize. Just about this time Fr. Eccles died and was buried at Stapehill.


Fr. Brown left shortly after to be stationed at New Hall convent Chelmsford. Fr. Maurice Mann then took charge of the Mission. The little flock began to increase. some zealous Catholics came to reside during the winter months doing much good by their example and generous deeds. Mrs. Brymer gave an harmonium to the little chapel. The Baroness von Hugel with her daughter, Pauline (pictured left) and Miss Redmayne settled in Richmond Terrace.

Lady Georgina Fullerton (pictured right) wintered year after year at Stewart's Hotel (now The Norfolk) till they bought "Ayrfield." Lady Georgiana began a little school with very few children where Miss Miles Fletcher (now and for many years a Poor Clare) taught hymns and the Catechism.


The Oratory was opened in 1875, Mrs. Brymer giving the High Altar and the stained-glass windows representing the Four Evangelists. Baroness von Hugel gave the brass altar rails with the medallions of the Sacred Heart and the Saints of the Society. Mrs. Grace save the organ. The first entry of the Baptisms is dated February 4th, and the first of the marriages March 25th. 1872."

In 1869 two active Jesuit Fathers were sent from Farm. Street, Fr. Brownbill and Fr. Eccles, and took over Astley Lodge in St. Stephen's Road to serve as church and presbytery.

A year previously the house of a Dr. Falls on Richmond Hill was burnt down. In 1870 Lady Herbert of Lea was looking with Fr. Mann for a suitable site. They decided to buy the abandoned ruin and a further property containing two fairly large houses called Windsor Cottages.

On this site was built the wooden Oratory. One of the cottages was pulled down, the other was used as a presbytery. The Oratory lay on the site of the present nave. All that can be learnt about the little church has already been quoted.

Fr. Brownbill was the first Parish Priest and he speaks of the building as "unworthy and dangerous." The furniture seems to have been very mixed, chairs and wooden benches. To judge by the sole survival they were heavy benches with a very tall back, so as to hide completely any worshipper viewed from the back. Still, to judge from Mr. Long's account, it seems to have bred in the hearts of the grateful congregation feelings of strong affection.

Doubtless there were some sad hearts when the old church was pulled down, the first church built for Catholics in Bournemouth.

Poor Father Brownbill! From the few Church Notices which survive he seems to have had a sad and lonely furrow to plough. He was succeeded in 1870 by Fr. Maurice Mann, retired to Stonyhurst where he died in 1877. As Fr. Eccles died in 1871, Fr. Mann had to carry the burden on his own shoulders. The parish had to be built up, schools provided and paid for out of the sole pecuniary assistance, the advent of well-to-do visitors for the then recognised winter season.

There can have been little money in hand. for the original £1000 must have disappeared in the purchase of the estate, in the clearing of the site, and in the erection of the small Oratory of the Sacred Heart.

Here is a selection from the " Sunday Notices ". On the second Sunday of Lent he has to say two Masses, but regrets he can manage only one on Palm Sunday. Finally comes the announcement: "As my term for saying two Masses on Sunday ended on May 1st, there will be only one Mass on succeeding Sundays until another priest comes to help." Episcopal permission for "duplicating." on Sunday was for the winter season only.

On Trinity Sunday he makes an apology for absence as he had to be present at the Tichborne trial the previous week; he rather sadly expresses a hope to get "watchers" for the next three days of Exposition.

In October 1872 Fr. A. Dignam seems to have joined the stall. A sad rejection on the need for Catholic schools is expressed in the note that a Miss Askew, referred to earlier, has kindly offered to teach the children English hymns if they are punctual in attendance. In 1873 appears an announcement of the hope of a new church and all are asked to pray that the money may be forthcoming,