South Yorkshire Times, January 31st 1970
A “Bitter-Sweet Occasion”
A “Bitter-sweet occasion” was how the official opening of a new community centre at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, Wombwell, was described on Wednesday — happy because of the accomplishment being marked, but sad because it was almost the termination at Wombwell of the service of Parish Priest Fr. J. McGettigan, who after five and a half years is moving shortly to take charge of the Parish of St. Joseph’s at Bradford.
The new centre, originally church badly damaged by subsidence has cost £21,000 to convert. It is entirely the “brain child” of Fr. McGettigan, and marks the last project in an impressive scheme of improvements and extensions in church, social, cultural and education aspects of the parish.
The opening ceremony was performed by Mr. Edwin Wainwright, Member of Parliament for the Dearne Valley, and also present were the Chairman (Coun. Beaumont) and members and officials of Wombwell Urban Council, together with representatives of all church denominations and many other organisations in the town.
Mass was celebrated in the church by the Rt. Rev. G. Moverley, Auxiliary Bishop of Leeds, who also blessed the new centre. Apologies were offered for the Rt. Rev. W, G. Wheeler, Bishop of Leeds, who was unable to make the journey to Wombwell because of fog.
The Rt. Rev. G. Moverley, Auxiliary Bishop of Leeds, blessing the new Wombwell R.C. Community Centre on Wednesday. Also pictured is the Parish Priest, Fr. McGettigan.
Delightful
Mr. Wainwright complimented Fr. McGettigan on `salvaging” the old church when deep anxieties were caused through mining sub-sidence damage. It had been converted to a delightful and useful building of which they could be proud. He said the centre would be a great asset to the district, and he felt it would have the effect of creating a deeper bond between Catholics and non-Catholics.
He trusted that those who had the privilege of using that hall would set a shining example of behaviour to the remainder of the community.
Paying tribute to Fr, McGettigan’s work, Mr. Wainwright said, “We are losing one of our dear friends. We shall be sorry to lose him, but always be proud to have known him. During his stay at Wombwell he has made an indelible mark.” He expressed the opinion that Fr. McGettigan deserved to reach “great heights” in the priesthood.
The Rt. Rev. Moverley said Fr.McGettigan had been the mainstay in the provision of a beautiful new church, improved facilities and amenities, at a fine school and a magnificent clubroom, and now had steered the erection of that magnificent community centre. It was true to say that that was one of the finest buildings in the district.
Fine Example
The speaker said it was an occasion of mixed sentiments happy thanksgiving, and sorrowful farewells, Parishioners could take consolation at the parting of Fr. McGettigan, however, from the knowledge that he had gained remarkable and notable achievements which were a fine example to others.
Fr, McGettigan said although there was a lot of talk about community relationships, he felt that if they were to foster and mature friendships they had to start at the “grass roots.” The Parishes, towns, and villages of Wombwell and district could rightly be proud of the way it looked after its old people, and he hoped that to some extent the new community centre would meet the needs of young people who often complained that there was nowhere to go. In that building, he said, people of all ages, not necessarily only Roman Catholics, could meet in a happy community spirit. Facilities had been provided for youth work, with smaller rooms suitable for meetings of senior citizens and similar clubs, the stage was fully equipped for dramatic and operatic work, and the spacious kitchen would lend itself admirably for the preparation and service of meals at social functions. Used in these ways, the building could be of real service to the parish and to the town in general, he said.
Great Help
Following tributes to his fine service, Fr. McGettigan said he had very much enjoyed his stay at Wombwell and could have achieved little without the support and generosity of the people. In the conversion of that building following hurried evacuation of the church through subsidence damage, he had received enormous help from Wombwell Urban Council, particularly from Surveyor, Mr. J. G. Hill and his staff, and from many others.
Fr. McGettigan also mentioned the happy spirit and friendship between himself and leaders of other church denominations in the town, mentioning by name the Rector of Wombwell, the Rev. F. L. R. Graham, and Methodist Minister, the Rev. E. J. D. Smith.
Refreshments were served and a discotheque evening followed for young people, with a carnival dance in the clubroom.
Seen at the official opening on Wednesday of the Roman Catholic Community Centre. Wombwell, are the Rt. Rev. G. Moyerley. Auxiliary Bishop of Leeds. Coun. Beaumont (Chairman of Wombwell Urban Council), Mr. E. Wainwright. M.P., Mrs. Wainwright and Fr. McGettigan (Pariah Priest).
