Celebration time

St Andrew’s Parish in Teesville has celebrated the 60th anniversary of the very first Mass in the church.

The Bishop of Middlesbrough, the Rt Rev George Brunner, celebrated the first Mass on Wednesday January 23 1963.

The following afternoon the Evening Gazette reported the event with the headline: 600 CROWD INTO NEW TEES-SIDE R.C. CHURCH

The fine new Roman Catholic Church of St. Andrew’s, Teesville came into use last night when nearly 600 people attended its first Mass. Many stood in the aisles. Mass was celebrated by the Bishop of Middlesbrough in a sanctuary of breathtaking modern beauty. Bishop Brunner told the congregation: “This is a church you can be proud of.”

The Rev. Patrick Bluett – a former chaplain who won the Military Cross in the last war – would be the first parish priest.

Sixty years later, on Monday January 23 2023, Bishop Terry celebrated a special Mass which was attended by surviving clergy who have served in the parish.

Bishop Terry praised the people who worked hard over the years to build up the parish and also the clergy, saying: “You have been served by some of the best clergy right up to the present day.”

He also issued a challenge to follow the example of St Andrew by taking the Gospel out to those who have fallen away and to find new disciples of Jesus.

Current parish priest Father Michael Sellers thanked those who played a part and supported the 60th celebrations.

“Let us all use our talents to build up the church in our own time and for the future,” he said.

People gathered in the parish hall for a buffet prepared by parishioners afterwards, and Bishop Terry cut an anniversary cake.

Paul Terry