St Marys Roman Catholic Church on Norton Road at the corner of Major Street, Stockton.
The foundation stone was laid on 31st May 1841 by Bishop Mostyn, Vicar Apostolic for the northern regions. The church officially opened by Bishop Mostyn on 7th July 1842. The congregation transferred here from Playhouse Yard known as the Mother Church of the catholic community in Teesside.
Picture Stockton Archive 
Hi can anyone help. I recently bought a house believed to be St Gerard’s convent. Briefly used a school for St Mary’s rc church.
Some locals remember the summer fetes held in the gardens.
I have been trying to find images to restore the house
It was a very large house which has been split now 298/300 Norton road
I would love to see any images or pointed in the direction of help
Many thanks
LikeLike
My grandparents, William Connor and Ellen Casey, were married at this church on June 7th, 1897. The Catholic marriage certificate, enclosed in an 1865 edition of the bible printed by James Duffy and Company of Dublin, given to them as a wedding present, was signed by Canon Carlisle, Priest of St. Mary”s Church. On their 21st wedding anniversary in 1918 it was further signed by a Father Bradley
LikeLike
Monty – you need to know that there are two St. Mary”s Churches – this I believe is Roman Catholic and is in the Portrack/Norton Road area (see location map) and the other which you have also commented on is in Norton (again, see location map)
LikeLike
Hello to you all and I loved to read the comments about knowing families. My Grandpa, James Brett, aged 20, married my grandma, Martha ann Burr, aged 19. They lived in 14 and 16 Portrack Street then and the wedding was on the 1st Jan, 1892. Both their fathers were dead at the time of the wedding and I am trying to find out where they were buried. Her Dads name was James Burrlease.
LikeLike
My name is Bernard Crossen son of William Crossen and Winifed Crossen nee Carter does anybody have any info on the Carter family of Tynedale Street? Jane Carter, my Grandmother went to St Cuthberts church my Grandfather Thomas I think worked at Rileys foundry and frequented the Moor public house until he died in the mid 70s.
LikeLike
Hello to the Crossens – I think Jane Elsworth was my fathers sister, my brother stayed with them for a couple of years during the war. Myself and my brother and sister stayed with my other aunt Sarah Armstrong nee Elsworth.
LikeLike
My mam was Ann Crossen who told me of some cousins with Cockney scents who stayed with them and Auntie Sarah during the war. She passed away 18 months ago
LikeLike
William Crossen married Jane Elsworth and had children William;John;Ann;Peter;Tony;Mary;Michael William my father died 1997 aged 72 he was married to Winifred Carter and have children Michael;Patrica;Monica;Bernard;Angela;Gerard;Louise; John married Thelma and have a boy and a girl Ann married Cyril Bryan now divorced have 2 boys Nigel;Anthony Peter never married Mary married jimmy and have a son Mary died aged 44 in the early 70s Michael never married and lives with Ann.
LikeLike
Hello to anyone who knew of or knows of the Humble or Crossen family I would love to hear from you. My name is Baz Gascoyne and I am the son of Maureen Humble who was married to Tony Crossen. She had three sisters called Thelma, Ann and Christine.She got married at St Mary”s RC Church. I am in he process of writing a book about my Mothers life and would appreciate anyone who knew her or her family to reply as you may be able to help me in my research. I was born at number 7 Wrekenton place/drive I think Look forward to hearing from you. Cheers, Baz
LikeLike
My name is Bernard Crossen my father was William Crossen elder brother of Tony Crossen I went to St Bedes school from 1964 until 1966 uncle Tony is well and still living with his brother Peter in the family home near to stockton cricket field I think Lyn lives at Ingleby Barwick
LikeLike
Lol..just happened to find this site when I was scrolling the net for info on St. Mary”s and saw the post from Julie Chisholm. ~~~waves to Julie. I agree….Frank put those pics up because most of our family”s rogues gallery pics are in Manchester with my brother. If anyone else from those days remembers me feel free to leave a message. I do still travel up to the North once or twice a year and it would be fun to see how some of my former classmates turned out.
LikeLike
John Robson, just wondered if you had any other memories of my Mam and her family. Also do you have any photo”s of the area where you and my Mam lived. Baz Gascoyne
LikeLike
Denis Umpleby, The photo you sent me has brought back some good memories for my Mam and she remembers the photo being taken and all the people on it. My research is going well and I am collating quite a lot of material about my Mam”s early life and her family. If you can recall any other memories you have of My Mam, her family or her ex husband I would really appreciate hearing from you.If you have any other photo”s of the area where you lived that would be great Many thanks, Baz Gascoyne
LikeLike
Does anyone have any information on Tony or John Crossan. They lived close to the church. Cheers, Baz
LikeLike
Many thanks John and Dennis for responding to my message. Really good to hear from you and hear how you knew my Mam. Look forward to seeing the photo Denis. Baz
LikeLike
Baz Gascoyne..I knew a Maureen Humble who lived in Emmanuel Street. I lived in Buxton Street, both streets where in the Garbutt Street area of Stockton. I also know two of Maureen”s sisters, Thelma and Ann Humble. I think Maureen and Thelma married two brothers, Tony and John Crossan. Being a neighbour of mine I see Ann Humble (Griffin)quite often. Denis Umpleby, another contributor to this website, will also know the sisters very well.
LikeLike
Hi baz i remember maureen as i grew up in buxton st maureen and her family lived in emmanuel st. maureen and thelma married two brothers, tony and john, whose mother was i believe my grandfathers sister.i at this moment sorting a photo for my elder george taken in maureens back yard of george maureen thelma ann christine and two i cannot remember. i will post on this site regards denis
LikeLike
Hi, I was at this Church yesterday seeing where my Mother lived, went to school and got married. She went to St Marys school and was married at the Church on the 12 June 1954 to a gentleman called Anthony Crossan. My Mother”s Name was Maureen Humble and lived in Maritime street before she married. Her parents were John Edward Humble and Catherine Hall. Once she married she lived in Buxton strret and then on to Wrekenton Close where I was born. I would love to hear from anyone who knew my Mother or of her or her family or ex husband as I am trying to get an idea of her life and times when she lived in Stockton. Look forward to hearing from you soon. Your”s Baz
LikeLike
The entry about St.Mary”s School brought back memories I was there from 1954 upto leaving school and remember Sister Mary with her butter patter which she used on your hands if you were late also sister St.Cecil and sister St Joseph. I remember Father Rice he used to shout at you in the confessional box I used to avoid him If I could. The May processions bring back memories I a Handmade of the Blessed Sacrament and still have my little badge to prove it…happy memories
LikeLike
Do you remember any of the Saint family?
LikeLike
peter. How do I get the “pictures up there” I have had another look at the reels and besides the fetes there are “martyrs rally at runswick bay 1962” “stockton mayors ball” and “ph outing 1963” Some are the 50ft reels and some are 400ft reels and all are for 8mm roll cameras. I have thought of having them transfered to disc but is rather expensive. Frank
LikeLike
Frank – I agree with Peter (my brother) get those photo”s up there. I attended St. Mary”s from 1960-1971 and have fond memories of 1st Communion Day”s and the yearly May procesions(often with wilting tulips)! Sr. Mary was Head when I first arrived in Reception (she was later my Head at St. Marys RC Girls School). Both Marion Williams and I passed our 11+ in 1971.Mr. English was Head and his wife my form teacher. I remember Colin and Cecilia Bailes, Christine Burns,Julia Southgate (forced to re-do the year as she was born on 1st Sep). And the Gregans and Dwyers! They were lucky to be chosen to crown Our Lady”s statue during the May procession- they had beautiful long hair and “our mam” kept all our girls short because of “nits”!
LikeLike
Gosh, this brings back memories of St. Mary’s Church and School for me. I attended the School from 1967 to 1974. I remember Mr English very well, and his dear wife was my form teacher for two years, until I left.
I remember the May processions now, having forgotten all about them until I read the above post!
I wonder what happened to Mr and Mrs English; can anyone shed some light?
LikeLike
I attended St Mary”s infants and junior schools in the late fifties and remember Father O”Callaghan visting the school often and children going to St Mary”s church to hear him say mass. Father Thornton looked so old to us kids back then we fondly referred to him as Grandfather Thornton.
LikeLike
Frank – come on let”s get those pictures up there! My brothers, sisters and I are probably the grandparents you talk of! If I remember correctly the church fetes used to take place at St Gerard”s Convent on Norton Rd on the corner of Prospect Place. The fetes also used the garden of the Sleighthom family at the back of the convent in Prospect Place itself.
LikeLike
With reference to Canon Cornelious O”Callaghan and St Mary”s church. I have 14 rolls of film that he took of the church fetes(1960 onwards). I do recognise Ft Thornton and a number of others and of course the children on the film could be parents or even grand parents themselves now.
LikeLike
Hi there
I have recently bought a house believed to be St Gerard’s convent briefly used as a school whilst the one at St Mary’s RC was getting sorted.
There used to be summer fetes held in the gardens. If this is the same house do you have any images as we are trying to restore it?
Many thanks Kerry
LikeLike
Hi Frank. Only just seen your comment. I remember Father O Callaghan well. I also remember that he recorded us on film in 1967. We were stood in the St Mary’s playground just after we had made our Holy Communion. Would be great to see the films you have.
LikeLike
Please can you show us the rolls of films. That use to be my church and school….
LikeLike
This church is on Norton Road as Ged points out. The Parish Priest of St Mary”s was a great man: Fr. Cornelious O”Callaghan (later Canon) for the 50″s, 60″s, 70″s and maybe the 80″s. I remember a Spanish priest visiting for a few weeks every year: Fr. Rafael. His was a great orator and the church would be absolutely packed (standing room only) when he said mass on a Sunday.
LikeLike
On the pubs theme does the Spotted Cow still exit? I have two memories of it (1) In the “60s it was a Bass house. (2) At the time of the original redevelopments in the area, the Cow stood among piles of rubble, looking like nothing less than the club portrayed in Bleasedale”s “No Surrender”
LikeLike
Yes, the Spotted Cow still stands but has been closed for about a year now
LikeLike
not Yarm Road, this lovely church fronts on to what was Norton Road, with Maritime Road and Major Street to either side, with what used to be the girls junior and boys junior schools behind,
LikeLike
Hi Ged, was your nans name Nellie and shehad 2 sons – Kevin and John – who my younger brother was named after. l ran messages for her and on Sundays she would save us the beef dripping off her meat so we could spread it on our bread lol all we got was a leg off mince
LikeLike