Founder of Catholic Community Dead – Father Kavanagh’s Influence (picture)

February 1925

Mexborough & Swinton Times, 21st February 1925

Founder of Roman Catholic Community Dead.
Father Kavanagh’s Influence on Life of Township

Dsc07635 Kavanagh

The Rev. Thomas Bernard Kavanagh, who founded the Roman Catholic Church in Denaby Main, and under whose care, through immense difficulties, and disappointments notwithstanding, it grew and flourished for a quarter of a century, died shortly after 6 o’clock at his home, 123. Tickhill Street, Denaby, on Saturday evening. He was 77 years of age.

Father Kavanagh held a warm place in the hearts of everyone in Denaby, whatever their religion. Full of quips and cranks and jokes he was welcomed whenever he went. His jovial personality and his kindness of heart endeared him to all. No one in real need or difficulty appealed to him for help in vain. His death is an irreparable loss to the township. In his younger days he was a keen follower of the cricket and football teams, going away with them for almost every match. He came indeed to be regarded as a sort of mascot.

He came to Denaby in the prime of life at the invitation of the Bishop of Leeds, having declined the offer of a church at Barnsley. In Denaby there was nothing, no church, no house, no anything. He lived in a little cottage near the present picture house now used by the Salvation Army. Four years later, in 1898 the church was built at a cost of £5,000. A scheme was begun then, and has continued until today under which each member devoted 1s. a week towards the expenses of the church.

The colliery company lent a certain amount of financial help, and the land was given by the Montagu and Fullerton families.

Just when the little Catholic community was beginning to thrive, there came the terrible nine month of strike of 1903. Men left their homes to find work elsewhere, and Father Kavanagh’s parish was decimated. In spite of that he struggled on, and regained most of the ground lost before the war broke out in 1914. That added immensely to his difficulties and in 1920 after a complete breakdown in his health, he retired, being succeeded by the present priest, Father Leteux.

Borrn in Preston, Lancashire, of Irish parents, Father Kavanagh joined the Franciscan Fathers in Wales on leaving his college. A breakdown in health compelled him, however, to leave the country, and he emigrated to Australia, where he became a diocesan priest. He laboured out in Australia for about ten years at the end of which his health being completely restored, he returned to England to become the first Roman Catholic priest of Denaby.

On his retirement, a presentation was made to him by the parishioners, who spoke of his pioneer work in the district, of his untiring devotion to the Catholic cause, of his unfailing sympathy and of the prodigious labour with which he had raised in Denaby Main a church and Catholic tradition, the influence on which will last as long as the village itself.

In acknowledging the presentation, which consisted of a wallet containing £110, and an illuminated address, Father Kavanagh mentioned that he had served as a priest since 1868, and he would continue to say mass, pray for his parishioners and he their friend to his life’s end. How well Father Kavanagh carried out that promise everybody in Denaby knows. When he attained the golden jubilee of his priesthood a little later, the congregation of St. Alban’s presented him with another illuminated address.

Father Kavanagh’s last illness extended over only three days. On the Wednesday evening prior to his death, he was at the New Conisbrough Labour Club, where he was an especial favourite. He returned home, his usual cheery self, apparently in the best of spirits. Soon afterwards, however, he had a seizure, and died without recovering full consciousness three days later.

On Tuesday night the body was taken to the church which he had loved so well, and lay in state there throughout the whole of Wednesday. Many paid their last tribute to him then. At 7 o’clock in the evening the Dirge was sung, and Requiem Mass was celebrated yesterday morning.

The services, which was particularly solemn and impressive, was conducted by the Bishop of Leeds (Dr. Cowgill), assisted by Father Bradley, St. Marie’s, Sheffield (deacon), Father Bentley, Doncaster (sub-deacon), Canon Dolan, St. Marie’s, Sheffield (assistant), and Mgr. Hawkswell (Master of Ceremonies). Father Leteux and Father Hudson, of Denaby, were the cantors, other priests present were.

Canon Mitchell (Cathedral), Fathers George Bradley (S. Wilfrid’s, Sheffield), Beazley (S. Charles, Sheffield), White (S. Catherine, Sheffield), Levick (S. Wilfrid’s, Ripon), Creedon (Little Sisters, Sheffield), Mcniff (Moorthorpe), Sweeney (Allerton Park), Grogan (Huddersfield), Comerford, C.M. (S. Vincent’s Sheffield), Slavin, C.M. (S. Vincent’s, Sheffield), Bradley (S. Marrie’s, Sheffield), Molony (S. Marie’s Sheffield), Watkin (S. Marie’s, Sheffield), Hammond (Harrogate), Richardosn (Cathedral, Leeds), Cotter (Cathedral, Leeds), Geeney (Normanton), Daly (S. Joseph’s Leeds), Comerford (S. Joseph’s, Leeds), O’Connell (Beckton), Froes (Shirebrook), and Waugh (Goldthorpe).

The little church was crowded for the service, during which Father Leteux delivered the eulogy. Father Kavanagh, he said, seemed to have had a very patriotic and stern Catholic father, and that left an indelible mark upon his character. Speaking of his life out in Australia, he said he seemed to have had an adventurous and varied career, spending most of his time in the bush. Coming to Denaby he began what was really his life’s work just thirty years ago. He was an apostolic missioner, without script or staff or purse. Father Leteux referred to his pioneer work in the village, and said he would be remembered as the founder of the Roman Catholic community, who would never forget him in their prayers.

Socially he was of a strong and quick personality, and he had a fiery temper, the effects of which they had all at some time or another felt; but withal very human, with a genial humour and with a generous sympathy which he never grudged either to Catholic or Protestant.

The road to the little ceremony was thickly lined with people, and the cortege itself was fully two hundred yard long, the people from the church walking four or five abreast, and being joined by others. Father Leteux conducted the service at the graveside.

The immediate mourners were Mrs. Lock of Crewe (niece), Mr. Jack Kavanagh and Miss Kavanagh, Sheffield (nephew and niece), and Mr. and Mrs. F, Garyson, with whom Father Kavanagh had lived during the past four years. A request that no flowers be sent had been made, but there were several wreaths.