Contents Introduction from Bishop L.McCartie. ...................................................................................................................... 5 Preface. .................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Chapter 1 1912-1919 .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Catholics in Foleshill in 1912 ................................................................................................................................ 7 Father Emery ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Arrival in Coventry ................................................................................................................................................. 8 Tivoli ...................................................................................................................................................................... 10 The Church ........................................................................................................................................................... 11 Finance ................................................................................................................................................................. 11 The School ........................................................................................................................................................... 13 Return to Walsall ................................................................................................................................................. 13 New Church.......................................................................................................................................................... 14 Chapter 2 1919-1935 Saint Elizabeth’s Parish ......................................................................................................... 17 St. Elizabeth's Football Club ............................................................................................................................... 18 Parish Socials and Events .................................................................................................................................. 18 C.Y.M.S. ............................................................................................................................................................... 19 Saint Elizabeth’s School 1919 - 1935 ................................................................................................................ 20 Health and Welfare .............................................................................................................................................. 20 Chapter 3 1935 - 1945 ................................................................................................................................................ 21 Chapter 4 1945-1958 .................................................................................................................................................. 23 The School ........................................................................................................................................................... 24 St.Elizabeth's Youth Group, Drama Section ..................................................................................................... 26 St. Elizabeth's Guide Company 1932 - 1987 .................................................................................................... 28 The Little Sisters of theAssumption.................................................................................................................... 29 Chapter 5 1958-1966 .................................................................................................................................................. 31 Chapter 6 1966-1977 .................................................................................................................................................. 34 Chapter 7 1977-1987 .................................................................................................................................................. 37 References: .................................................................................................................................................................. 38 Page 2 of 39 Page 3 of 39 Page 4 of 39 Introduction from Bishop L.McCartie. "I write to welcome the history of the Parish of St. Elizabeth, Coventry. It has a very special interest for me because when I was ordained in 1949 my first appointment was to St. Elizabeth. Mgr.Laurence Emery was my Parish Priest, and Fr.Diamond and Fr.McTernan were my fellow curates. From them and from the people of the parish I received many kindnesses and a great deal of valuable guidance. My stay at St. Elizabeths was a very happy one. I'm sure that when I express my own gratitude I speak for the many priests who have served St Elizabeth's over the last 75 years. As you will read in the history, the Parish of St. Elizabeths has been richly blessed by God in days gone by, may He guide it and cherish it in the years to come. + Leo, Bishop of Elmham, Auxiliary in B'ham. Preface. "In one sense, it seems a long time since March 1987, when the idea of this history was first thought about and planned; but so much hard work has gone on since then that the time seems to have flown by. My thanks to the team who have done most of the work alongside the many other jobs that they have: Philip Newbold, Frank Hughes, Leo Poole, Sister Mary, Marjorie Bowen and Margaret Raftery. With them, my own personal thanks to my typist who patiently translates my writing before she can type. And thanks to you all, young and old members of this great parish of St. Elizabeth, who gave up your time to answer questions, find photographs and drag up memories of long ago so that they could find a place in this history of the Parish. I think that it has all been worth-while. I hope you do also. Fr. G. Hanlon, Oct. 14th 1987 Page 5 of 39 Page 6 of 39 Chapter 1 1912-1919 So begins the Mission in the Foleshill area. The mission which was to become known as "The Good Shepherd, Saints Elizabeth and Helen". However, to the many thousands who have lived and worked in the parish, to those who have worshipped God in the Church and to those who have attended the school; it is known as St Elizabeth’s. St. Elizabeth's – Exterior from Highfield Street In June 1912, Father Leonard Shepherd Emery was appointed by the then Arch¬bishop of Birmingham, Edward Ilsley to found a Mission in the Foleshill area. The letter of appointment stated that "the task is an arduous one" and "everything has to be created". Indeed it did, much money had to be raised and the land had to be bought, church, school and presbytery had to be built. When Father Emery arrived in the north of Coventry in July 1912 he found a thriving and busy area. Factories and workplaces were abounding in the Great Heath and Edgwick areas. Little Heath, Bell Green, Longford and Holbrook areas, which were outside the City of Coventry, also housed industry. Earlier and more detailed histories of Coventry give accounts of the growth and development of many industries. Numerous activities have long gone and remain but facts in history. Many names and occupations will kindle memories for people in the area and within the city. Pennies earned from these factories will have gone to the building and maintenance of St. Elizabeth's over its seventy five years. There were concrete works at Great Heath and Edgwick in 1902. 1908 saw the arrival of Shank's Timber Yard in Lockhurst Lane. Courtaulds had established their first rayon factory next to the canal on the Foleshill Road in 1904. Northey Road saw the arrival of Webster and Bennetts in 1887. White and Poppe on Holbrook Lane and more heavy industry with Albion Drop Forgings Company in Lockhurst Lane in 1900. The Victoria County History of Warwick also refers to the presence of Sterling Metals in 1907 and "a foundry at Edgwick in 1900" built by Alfred Herbert's Engineering. Radenite Batteries Factory and offices were built about 1897 at the junction of Great Heath and Edgwick. This building can still be seen today at the junction of Foleshill and Blackwell Roads. With the advent and growth of these industries, housing was needed for those who worked in the factories. By 1912 the Ordnance Factory may well have sought some of its workers from the Peel Street and Mulliner Street areas. There were many properties and side streets too along the Stoney Stanton Road as far as the City boundary with Foleshill Rural District at Court House Green. There had been newer "residential roads" (1) Station Street East and partly built St. Paul's Road. Many new terraced properties had been constructed in Princess Street. Evidence of this is shown on the stone name blocks above the houses. It is also interesting to note that Eld Road was then named Highfield Street and what is now St. Elizabeth's Road was originally called Stanley Street. Fr.Emery's new area of pastoral concern was indeed large, covering part of three main roads-, Stoney Stanton, Foleshill and Lockhurst Lane. The Great Heath and Edgwick areas perhaps outlined the most intense areas of