Trying to remember priests at Stephendale Rd. As far as I know, when my Mum was married there in 1929 it was by Father Brown. There was a Father Tighe who was the son of one of the Parishioners. I remember Father Sherlock so that would be early 40s. Then came Father Shaw who always appeared to think he was too good for a "rough working class parish!" He was not universally popular I must say. He was quite aloof. He became a Monsignor which probably suited him better! He became a Monsignor at Westminster so perhaps he was right! Then came Father Beckett who went around the parish by bike. Known by us young'uns as M.T.Buckett. Older man and a bit of a ditherer but lovely with it. Father Colin came after I had left in 1957 and was fantastic with my Mum. He used to visit her.

1950 Church Jumble Sale: Father Maurice T. Beckett with me on the left and Mollie Snowsell. Below: The marriage in 1929 of my parents William Elster and Juliann Stephens. The priest who married them was Father Brown.

How is this for a strange coincidence.....My Mum died when she had been with me here in Ruislip for three years .The service was at Breakespeare Crematorium and was to be taken by Father Michael from St Gregory's.  When we got to the chapel  the previous funeral group was coming out and there was Father Colin from Fulham . He and Father Michael then saw each other and that was the first time since they had trained many years before..Father Colin came back in and we had a joint service with both of them....Mum would have loved it . 

Catechism classes were taken by Miss Frances Lloyd. To us she seemed to sort of float , always wore sandals and  what is best described as a "beatific smile "  Lovely lady .Of course Guild of Saint Agnes (red cloaks)  and then Children of Mary (blue ones) . Then you knew you were the "elite "