A New Church for Denaby Main

Arrangements are now being made, and will shortly be completed for a new Roman Catholic Church for /Denaby Main.

For many years the worshippers were compelled to walk to Wath upon Dearne, until 1894, when the Rev Father Kavanagh was appointed to take charge of the district to look after the interests of the Catholics.

The Denaby Company most generously place the old school room at the disposal of Mr Kavanagh which has been used ever since. They also provided a house for the use of the priest. The accommodation being far too meagre and the building unsuitable for public worship efforts were made some time ago to obtain land whereon to erect a new building.

During the late Mt Montague’s lifetime representations were made to him for a site and he generously promised a site. Although his death took place before his wishes were carried out, the trustees considerately decide to offer two roods of land at the top of Firbeck Street, near the new schools, DenabyMain.

The offer has been cordially accepted and steps taken for the erection of a handsome new church and a presbytery. Some details of the new building will be of interest

The total length of the nave with sanctuary, having apsidal end will be 66 ft by 22 ft wide; height of the beams 27 ft and full height of ceiling 32ft.The South aisle now to be erected will be 40 ft long and 10ft wide., average height 13’ 6”; chapel at end of same.

The accommodation will be as follows: Nave 126, south aisle 77, gallery – choir 24, adults 30. Additional seating can be obtained in nave 22; future extensions south sale 81 total accommodation when completed 360.

The style of architecture will be early English in the transitional period with the decorations.

The plans are now before the district council and if passed in due course the foundation stones of the new edifice will be laid on Monday July 12^th 1897 by the Bishop of Leeds.