St Monica's Church - Newspaper Article
Publication: West Lancashire Evening Gazette
Date: Thursday 31 March 1988
Title: Thank you Father
Parishioners at St Monica’s have said goodbye and thank you to the church’s first priest, Father Christopher Aspinall. They surprised him this week by presenting a cheque for £236.
Father Aspinall was given the task of starting St Monica’s parish back in 1961 and for 12 years had to say Mass in an old tin building previously used for keeping animals.
He travelled all over Britain looking at churches to see which design would be suitable for Mereside.
On December 19, at the age of 74, he retired and was succeeded by The Very Rev John Gornall.
‘I will remember St Monica’s as a friendly, family place,’ said Father Aspinall at his home just two doors away from the church, ‘and I have left it in very good hands.’
Pictured from left are senior church member Mr Harry Wynne, Father Aspinall and Father Gornall.