Lees, St. Edward (RC), Baptisms 1875-1924 (Download)

This downloadable pdf file contains images and transcripts of the baptismal registers for Lees, St. Edward: 1875 – (3 Feb) 1895 & (20 Oct) 1898 – 1924. The register covering the period 4 Feb 1895 – 19 Oct 1898 has apparently been lost 

Members of the Irish Branch of Manchester & Lancashire FHS have by kind permission of the Salford Diocese, transcribed details of the 1,542 baptisms recorded in the registers.

The transcript provides full details as contained in the register and is accompanied by an index to the 7,078 names of children, parents and godparents which appear in the register entries.

Also included are images of the original baptism registers.

About this church

The foundation of the school-chapel here was a day of rejoicing for the Catholics of St. Mary's, Oldham, and a day of religious pageantry as well. Preceded by a brass band and with banners waving, the sodalities marched from St. Mary's schools to the site at Lees. They were accompanied by Fr. Grymonprez, his curate Fr. M. O'Callaghan, and Canon Toole, who blessed the foundation and preached. This was on Easter Monday, 1872. 

Before the new building was finished, Mass was being said, and Fr. J. Ryan was sent as first Rector in 1875. Fr. M. O'Callaghan and Fr. Pierce Griffiths were here for a short period. Fr. M. P. Ryan re- organised the parish and was here from 1899 to 1907, followed principally by Fr. Peter Higgins and Fr. Hohn.

The above description is based on information published in "Salford Diocese and its Catholic past", a survey by Charles A. Bolton, a Priest of the above Diocese. Published 1950 on the First Centenary for the Diocese of Salford.