1998 we celebrated 650 years of worship in the parish of St Thomas the Apostle, Claughton-on-Brock.

A range of events took place throughout the year which were designed to represent the various facets of the life and history that is to be found in our parish.

The parish has a strong family and social basis so dances, barbecues and a strawberry fair were organised. Throughout the parish there are physical reminders of our past, from Saxon and Roman times to the Industrial Revolution.
A history trail was produced to provide a glimpse of our past. There was also a tour of parish gardens, courtesy of some of our parishioners who kindly opened their gardens to demonstrate the variety of horticultural landscapes to be seen within the parish.

Our approach is has always been one of inclusiveness; so much so that in 1990 Monsignor Martin Molyneux, a former parish priest at St Thomas, whom along with the Rev Alan Camp (the then Congregational Minister of Inglewhite), established Brock Valley Churches Together (BVCT) - an ecumenical venture that continues to thrive.
Our current priest Fr Anthony Keefe was elected President of the BVCT for 2010.

In addition to our regular participants, we would be delighted if others joined us at mass during the year, or just popped in to the church for a visit. The highlight of 2008 Celebrations was a mass at St Thomas's celebrated by the Bishop of Lancaster, Patrick O'Donoghue.

A full calendar was planned and included: (See events page)

" Easter Sunday at St Thomas's" - Celebration of the greatest feast day in the Catholic liturgical calendar.
" Elswick Singers Concert" - A musical feast performed by this local ensemble.
" Parish Open Weekend" - including:
         Garden Tour - a variety of garden landscapes open thanks to the kindness of our parishioners.
         Strawberry Fair & Floral Display at St Thomas's.
         The School will be open.

" Commemorative Mass at St Thomas's" - Celebrated by the Bishop of Lancaster

"A Commemorative Brochure":- including both a history of the church and parish and a history trail including:-
Roman History
Viking History
Industrial Revolution
Great War Memorials

Home Page

List of 2008 Events

Parish History

Priests of the Parish