Mexborough & Swinton Times, October 14th, 1932

Wombwell Catholic Labour Of Love

From Barn to Ballroom

“They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.” Micah’s prophecy was not yet fulfilled in it’s entirely by Wombwell they have already achieved the transformation of that nature by converting.

A cowshed into a canteen.

A horse box into a club loom.

A crazy farmhouse into a habitation for priests.

A stackyard into a recreation ground,

and an old barn into a ballroom.

This has been achieved on the site of the new Roman Catholic church in Park Street. A representative of the “South Yorkshire Times” who visited the place the other day was amazed at the change that has taken place in a few weeks. A dingy old farmstead erected when architecture was of little regard and hygiene and sanitation less has become a thing of health and loveliness—and all by voluntary labour.

Park Street Farm in its original state was not an attractive feature of Wombwell’s main street, but as a building site it had possibilities which the officials of St. Michael’s were quick to appreciate. The farmhouse, outbuildings and croft extending from Park Street to the canal (roughly two acres) were acquired and the site for the new church was marked out. The task that has been proceeding under the direction of Father Goaley for the past few months has been one of improvement, adaptation and improvisation.

Of all the conglomeration of buildings surrounding the farm the large barn was the most conspicuous. This building was of ancient type consisting of a single chamber measuring 60ft. by 30 ft and having rough atone interior walls with heavy oak timbers in the draughty open roof.

With this building a wonderful transformation has been effected. The barn, as will be seen in the picture, has been converted into a comfortable and attractive pariah hall suitable for use as a ballroom and for other social purposes. Roof and sides have been underdrawn and panelled while the lower portion is skirted by a boarded dado some four feet high. At one end is a platform for the accommodation of an orchestra and the whole place is central heated, steam being generated in a coverted boiler house.

Once a cowshed, now a canteen! That applies to the long stone building skirting the farmyard on the east side. Here also the club will be situated and possibly in course of time St. Michael’s Institute headquarters will be moved from Low Valley to this spot. Soon the stockyard will present a new picture in the form of bowling greens and possible tennis courts. Like most churches St. Michael’s is feeling industrial depression acutely, but that does not prevent things being done. The will to work is strong in the church and those who cannot give money are willing enough to labour. It will be great day for the Roman Catholics of the Wombwell district when bricks begin to appear on the site.