St Marys Roman Catholic Church on Norton Road in Stockton, January 1979 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
St Marys Roman Catholic Church on Norton Road in Stockton, January 1979
Picture Stockton Archive 
Peter Dsousa,
Was Maureen (nee Nicholson) your wife? or any member of the dSousa family. The Nicholson family were our neighbours in Grantham Road and of course we knew the family well.
J.Norman Kidd.
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Are you the Pete D’Souza I used to know ?
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My father, Leo McKee, lived in Stockton until he was about 10 years of age before being brought to Northern Ireland where his father took over the small farm. We don’t have a birth certificate for him but he is shown on the 1911 Census as having been born in 1909, son of Patrick and Elizabeth McKee, my grandparents, who were living at Princess Street. Is there anyone who could point me in the right direction to find school or church records?
Am not sure where my grandparents would have married or if my father was born in Stockton but he certainly went to school there. Any guidance would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
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Does anyone know when exactly FREE (Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff, Andy Fraser, Simon Kirke) played in Stockton between 1968 and 1973? Seems they played several time in Stockton – St. Mary Church Youth Club in late sixties and early seventies… Any additional information by you and your readers / contributors is always welcome.
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That is highly likely.
At Mary’s youth club was a popular teenage hangout for 13 and 14 year olds at that time. Paul Rodgers was from Acklam, Middlesbrough at that time they would play any practice gigs they could get.
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I’m sure they did my friend’s foster Mother was the cleaner at the church hall. I was too young to go so it was definitely early 70’s maybe ‘69 but even I had heard of them.
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hello all, this is a bit obscure. However I am given to believe that the house I live in was comissioned to be built as a boys catholic school circa 1860 by some Durham educational charity via St. Mary’s Church on Norton Road. I know it definitely was built as a school, however I am restoring it as best I can to its original status, and am missing the school name and emblam for two sides of the building. These were painted over when it became a residence and although we burnt the paint layers back there was nothing left of the original ensignia . If you check the house out on Google Earth, you will see from the architechture that it was built as a school… I would love to find photos of it as a school, then most of my questions would be answered regarding the outside restoration. Am unsure if it is safe to post the address via here, the property is situated very near to St. Josephs school and it apparently originally owned lots of land and stables… which were sold off the same year as Queen Victorias 60th Jubillee … hence a lot of the properties names start with the name ‘victoria. (before house numbers were introduced) must have been very confusing for posties in 1895!
if you have any answers please ask Picture Stockton for my email.
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I lived at Princess Ave next to Cromwell Green.
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At university a number of year ago I studied architecture and was very excited by this building as it was designed by out of our great architects, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. Not only does he have a great name, but he designed a long list of houses, Institutions and major ecclesiastical buildings including the Palace of Westminster.
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Stockton Council started the compulsory purchase of Catholic Street and Wade Street in May 1954, along with a few adjoining properties in Garbutt Street and Major Street. Presumably all condemned properties were largely vacated and available for demolition after May 1955, subject to no outstanding legal disputes. 1 Catholic Street was on the east side of this street close to its north junction with Major Street, but one down from the corner as the building right at the junction was associated with Major Street.
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Princess Street and all the streets mentioned where all condemned and pulled down and people moved out in the 50s. I lived there from the 30s. The new buildings and houses got named with these old street names so Princess Street is not Princess Street from the 1800s. I went to St Marys RC school, that had scaffolding up as it was falling down in the 60s, was repaired and still standing today and is now flats. The houses that were pulled down were all terrace houses, Princess Street back street, is still there today back off Norton Road, opposite Bone Street.
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Catholic Street was bordered on one side by Major Street and the other side by Garbut Street. The Church is on Norton Road and Major Street so from Norton Road there were Princess Street, Haffron Street, Catholic Street, Wade Street, Anne Street, Florence Street, Paxton Street and Emanual Street. They can be seen on the 1899 map of Stockton. Major Street, Garbut, Street, Wade Street, Haffron Street and Princess Street still exist behind Maritime Road, Catholic Street is long gone.01/09/2011 17:50:03
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Might this church be the possible source of ‘Catholic Street’, Norton? There is no record of such street on the internet; my great grandfather lived at number 1 when he married. I guess that could be Catholic Street, Stockton, but there’s no record of that on the web either.
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Reading the earlier posts (2006) I came across info stating that there was a convent close to St Mary’s Chapel in Stockton, I am researching my family tree and my Great Great grandad, Nicholas Murphy, and Jane Cox were married in St Mary’s in 1869. Nicholas’s brother Michael Murphy, I believe, was a monk in Stockton and wondered if there was a convent could there have been a monastery nearby, does anyone know? Or does anyone have any info on Michael Murphy, D.O.B unknown but it was after 1849, in Cork Ireland. Michael wanted to be a priest but because he was not the oldest son he had to settle for being a monk. I believe he died in Stockton but again year unknown. Any info on the monastery, Michael or anything else will be gratefully appreciated.
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There was a convent in Norton Road. The building is still there but has been divided into two seperate buildings. One of the buildings is for battered wives I believe. Coming from Billingham, on the left hand side, passed the Mallable club. I used to see the nunns going in and out and they always fasanated me. Never knew on any Monastery though.
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Hi to Rhona Jones. Well, you are the first person to reply to my posts, apart from Stella Nicol (nee Allen) now living in Perth Australia. I remember very well, your sister-in-law Pauline who went on to Newlands convent at Middlesbrough, sorry to hear she is now widowed. A few years ago I posted a picture of the class of 1950 and could name all 42 pupils and Pauline is on that picture. I posted it for Stella, but I haven’t heard from her in a long while. Please pass on my regards to Pauline when you next have contact with her.
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Hi Pat Watson: Pauline Jones is my sister-in-law, I married her brother Vincent. Pauline is now called Livingston and lives in Dunfermline, but sadly is widowed.
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Kath McGlade – Did you used to live in Cromwell green? My name then was Joan McNally and used to live at no 5.
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Joan Reading, I think it doubtful that anyone took their final vows at St Marys. I was an altar server at the time you mention and I am sure that someone taking their vows would have been a huge event and I can’t recall anything like that happening.
Peter Hadfield, I also used to go to the youth club at St Marys as did many of the lads from my school (St Bedes). The band Free did practice there and played quite a few gigs in the 70s. Another good band was Steel Blues.
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I went to the youth club at St. Mary’s from end of 1968 to sometime in 1970 and I would like to hear from someone who also went there.
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Peter, I used to go to the youth club regularly from its first opening until I left the area in 1971.
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I was always at the Marys helping out with father 0´Connel especially for Free, Chalfont line, Rivers Invitation from the Boro, and Cycle from Thornaby who had an amazing guitarist, saw Jess Roden there once from the Alan Bown set, they were brilliant. David Coverdale was with Chalfont line and he looked like Dusty Springfield with his hairstyle, awesome voice. The best was Rodgers !!
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Wow…just found this thread…and strange too as I was only talking about The St Mary’s Youth Club to someone recently…I loved ‘The Mary’s’ …although it was a youth club it was way cooler than that and I was there as often as I could . I remember there were always great bands playing and I even had Free play a song dedicated to little old me as it happened to be my birthday !! I kept going there well into my mid teens…was a fab place …..and hey….I remember you too Terry Gilhooley.. 🙂
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Hi , good times remembered, remember seeing the Free also , went there on the night
with Robbie oliver, Free were some thing different, I think it cost two bob or one and six?
to get in , we both got a bottle of double maxim from the Spotted Cow, under age drinkers, but what a night…what a experience at 16/17/18 age…
Pete Dsouza
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Hello Peter
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I remember you Julie, Regards, Terry. You can get me on g mail or Facebook !
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Hi Julie, how are you?
Kevin
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I suspect your the Kev Church I know.
We were best mates for six months when we 11 then one of the brothers pushed me up a grade when you should have gone up. I guess that stopped us being good friends and just eventually in the same class. I remember we both had good voices at 11. I eventually did a lot of live vocals with bands in Asia. I am Dr Jeff now and an Academic Director in Bangkok having spent many years in the USA, Hong Kong and Tokyo as an International Director for the Welsh Government.
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Hi Jeff,
What’s your surname?
I see you travelled a lot. I also lived in the USA, China and other places.
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Oh my word Kev!!! I know this is a long time between you posting and me replying but I’ve just revisited this thread for something else today for the first time in years… and saw your comment. If you get this ( or anyone reading this knows how I can contact Kevin Church) I would love to say hello 🙂
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Hi. Julie
I also remember you from the Marys, you were at the Free gig in 1970 January or February I wish I knew which month and date it was
Rob Lazenby
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Hi Rob,
Wow…another name from the past. It is so nice to hear from you. Hope life is treating you well? My birthday is at the beginning of January ( 2nd) so as I was cheeky enough to mention it to the band, it would be either then… or that week (early January ) 1970…soooo long ago ha ha ….but fantastic memories.
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Julie,
If you would like my email contact the Picture Stockton team – email pictures@stockton.gov.uk and they will forward it on.
Hope to hear from you soon,
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Hi Julie
My contact details are below.
I live in Yarm,
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Hello Kev !! Great to hear from you… your details aren’t showing (unless I have missed them) so if you get chance drop me a line, get in touch with Picture Stockton (pictures@stockton.gov.uk and the team will forward on my email. Would love to say hello 🙂
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Hi Julie Simpson !
I am an Italian fan and collector of FREE too. As I am looking to verify where and when exactly FREE played live during their career would be nice if you let me know which is you birthday so I could place an exact gig by FREE in that day in my concert file. Did you remember also the exact year when FREE dedicated a song for you on occasion of your birthday? Perhaps in 1968 or 1969 or 1970 or 1971? Thanks for your kindly attention. Any additional memories about FREE will be much appreciated
Regards,
Alessandro Borri
Bologna
ITALY
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Free Played at St Marys in January or February 1970 and I too would also like to know the exact date as I was there, tickets were 12/6 in old money
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Robert perhaps this gig took place in early January 1970…any idea of the size of the crowd ? Thanks. Did you remember if FREE played their hit “All Right Now” that evening ? Thanks again
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My grandad married gran at St Marys in June 6th 1917, don’t know if he was married in his uniform but he was on sick leave after fighting at Gallipoli & France where he fell wounded
1st day of the Somme offensive. He was Robert Casey and lived at 9 Housewifes Lane and gran was Beatrice Warhurst Kirk. Grandads sister Elizabeth was one of the witnesses, also
Bertram Sexton. Gran, before she married, was living in Alice St. I recently went to Stockton library and looked at the Gazette archives for June 1917 in the hope that a photo
of grandad & gran might have been printed but no such luck. Not given up hope that one day a photo may come along. Thanks to this amazing site I have had several people contacting me on the subject of thier grandfathers fighting at Gallipoli & France but amazingly also joined the K.O.S.B before my grandad in 1912 and one or two at the same time, asking all who had family memebers in K.O.S.B 1912-18 to search any photo archives in case photos were taken of lads on home leave or pre-war photo. One did exist of my grandad with his mate Patrick Sullivan, they were both serving together. I know Patrick was killed in 1915, trying to find out if the photo survived. Please ask picturestockton for my e-mail if you can relate to any of this.
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I went to St Mary’s at the same time as you, Dorothy Shepherdson. Great days and great friends, some of us keep in touch – Judith Atkinson, Angela Higgins, Chris Walker, Chris Reeves, Heather Mitchel, Pauline Pearce, Carol Millard. We would love to have a look in the old school.
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I used to attend St Mary’s church and was taught to play the organ by Mr Doughty and was allowed by Fr O Callaghan to play during the day anything I wished to play for practice.
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Not knowing the area, if you lived on Hill St West in Stockton and were Catholic which school do you think the children would have attended?
Still searching for any info on Pat and Joan Curtin of Hill St W. School photos, any info any one may have would be gratefully received.
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I remember well the families you mentioned Dorothy, nice to read your comments. Your Aunt Mary lived in 6 Buxton Street, the Umpleby family in number 4. Denis Umpleby contributes to this site from time to time, we occasionally meet up for a pint in the Buffs club. Other families from the street included the Andersons’, Harburns’, Nichols’, Stones’ and Blackburns. Mr Elsworth lived in number 20, he was the grandfather of Denis Umpleby. I had forgotten about my dear sister Margaret taking part in the Coronation pageant, you may know she sadly passed away about 2 years ago. I think it can be said we had many happy years living in Buxton Street and the Garbutt Street area in general. You mentioned my sister Christine, she will reach retirement age on the 24th of this month, something she is really looking forward to. She will be making a visit to Australia in October to see her daughter Lisa.
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The Harburn family in Buxton Street were Lal and Ginny and their sons Bill, Albert and Bobby who all worked at Head Wrightson’s Forge Works and were all good sportsmen.
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Yes John, we are the daughters of Mary Mckenzie. Your sister Christine was my best friend my older sister Pauline did play the part of the Queen, your sister Margaret played the part of Princess Margaret I think. Do you remember anyone else from Buxton street? My dads sister Aunty Mary lived in Buxton Street, can’t remember what number. Also the Marwoods and the Paynes. Christine and I still went about with each other till we were about 17, we would meet each other after work on a friday pay day, go to your house in Fairfield and your dad would get our tea ready for us while we got ready for our night out to Sloopys in middlesbrough. God knowes how we got home from there because I cant remember getting taxies, I would go back and sleep at your house and your dad would have put hot water bottles in bed for us. I have the scar on my leg to prove that I must have been very drunk beacause I burnt it and didn’t feel a thing till next morning. But we had some great times, still sometime see Chris in town. Lovely to here from you, I just found this site yesterday and it’s great – lovely to read about names and places you remember. My dads sisters name was Mary Trotter.
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Dorothy Shepherdson nee MacKenzie, my best regards. My Mam Edith (“Edie”) Rayner nee Irish was your Mam’s younger sister. I came across your reply to John Robson who mentions that my Mam Edie was his sister’s bridesmaid at her wedding in 1949.
It was in 1975 that I last met you together with your sister Pauline (who I have had contact with via Facebook). It’s been many years since I lived in the UK but I still have fond memories of the many aunts, uncles and cousins of the extensive Irish family living at various houses in one street in Ragworth.
My regards yo your sister Pauline and hope you and your family are well.
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I was born in 10 Buxton Street and lived there until our family moved to Fairfield around 1956. I remember many of the families who lived in Buxton Street, I think Dorothy Shepherdson is possibly the daughter of Mary McKenzie who lived at number 14. Edie Irish would also be her aunt, Edie was a bridesmaid at my sister Mary’s wedding in 1949. It comes to mind one of the McKenzie girls played the part of the Queen during street celebrations for her coronation, possibly a young Jimmy Melville taking the role of the Duke of Edinburgh. The McKenzie girls would, I think, be in the age group of some of my younger brothers’ and sisters’, Margaret, Harry, Christine and Brian being the youngest.
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I attended St Marys school from 1955 to 1965. I also have an older sister Pauline who went there. We used to live in Buxton Street near Garbutt Street and then moved to Hardwick. I would love to hear from anyone who can remember me.
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I believe a priest named Fr Joe Crawford took his final vows in St Marys on 29th June 1969. It is his 40th anniversary this year and I would love to know if anyone remembers him. Nobody here (Wales)seems absolutely sure if it was this church, but a confirmation from somebody from St Marys would really help us in our plight.
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I”m 51 and I went to St Marys, I loved it. The roof playground was fun and my teacher was Mrs Johnson and then Mrs English. When I went to St Marys, Sister Mary was head. Do you remember a young priest, I think his name was O”keef and he drove a mini. My mum went to bingo in the youth club and I saw my first colour tv – it was fab, nobody had one. I loved midnight mass, it was the start of my Christmas goodwill to all.
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You are 3 years younger than me Kath….. I went to join the nuns, came back to Stockton in 2002. Don’t know if you know me but I’m dying to meet people from my time in St Mary’s. xxxx
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Does anyone have any details on Pat and Joan Curtin born in the mid 1920″s in Stockton. They lived on Hill Street West. Any old school photos out there? Or any other info?
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