Past Priests
Father Joseph Scally - died 28 November 1995
Joseph Scally was born at Southend on 1 January 1920, the eldest son of a large family.
His father was in the Army, so Joe's early schooling was in various military establishments.
He attended St Michael's College at Hitchin, which was run by the Augustinians of the Assumption. He joined that order and was ordained to the priesthood in their church at Charlton in South London by Archbishop Amigo of Southwark on 15 May 1947.
After teaching for a while in the college at Hitchin he became parish priest at Charlton for 18 years and then returned to Hitchin as superior and parish priest from 1968 to 1972, In that year he was incardinated into our diocese and served at the Cathedral for a year before being appointed as parish priest to Bayswater (1973-78), North Finchley (1978-83) and Hampton-on-Thames (1983-95), where he built the much admired new church. Father Joe was well read in theology and balanced in his views. This brought a breadth of vision to his varied and full ministry as teacher and school governor, member of the Matrimonial Tribunal and the Senate of Priests, above all as parish priest. He was a priest of the people; gentle in temperament, welcoming to young and old alike, he encouraged many families in their quality of life and faith. He was never ambitious but rather hid his talents, by his humility affirming and drawing out the talents of others. The people of the parishes he served remembered him with great affection and many kept in touch with him.
Father Joe was to enjoy only a few months of retirement. Ten years earlier he had recovered from a serious illness, but now his condition proved terminal. The doctors and nurses were edified by his acceptance of his condition. He never complained, and was ever grateful for visits from family and friends and for the support of the hospital chaplain and his fellow clergy. After undergoing five major operations in the space of twelve weeks Father Joe died in Greenwich District Hospital on 28 November 1995. He was 75 years of age and had been a priest for 48 years. Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue presided at his funeral in Our Lady of Grace, Charlton, the Church where he had been ordained.
Canon George Groves - died 9th February 1997
Canon George was ordained by Cardinal Bourne at Westminster Cathedral on 29 June 1933. His appointments were at St Francis de Sales. Tottenham from 1933-35: from 1935 until 1944 he taught at Gunnersbury Grammar School; was Chaplain at the Good Shepherd Convent, Finchley for a short time in 1944: SS Mary and Joseph. Poplar 1944-45: Chaplain at the Cathedral from 1945-46: Assistant Priest at Sacred Heart. Ruislip from 1946-48: Administrator of St John Fisher, Shepperton from 1948-52; Administrator at St Mellitus, Tollington Park until being appointed Parish Priest in 1954 and Canon in 1965. Canon George stayed at Tollington Park until 1975 when he was appointed Parish Priest at St Theodore of Canterbury. Hampton-on-Thames in 1975.
He retired in 1983 to Barrow West. Ardfert. Co Kerry, where he celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his priesthood.
George's family lived in the East End, in the parish of Commercial Road. His father, a Labour Councillor, was a friend of Lord Atlee, who tried to persuade him to stand for Parliament. Both parents were anxious for their five children to have the opportunity of a secondary education. His brother, Monsignor Alexander Groves, became Head teacher of Gunnersbury Boys School and later succeeded Canon Parsons as Head teacher at Finchley Grammar School. His sister. Doris, was Headteacher at the Sacred Heart School. Ruislip. George himself was taught by Monsignor Ronald Knox at St Edmund's College, and became a proficient student in Classics. He spent eleven years unravelling the secrets of Greek Mythology and the thoughts of Levy, Seneca and Virgil, to his pupils at Gunnersbury. George's life was not to be confined to the classroom. At Tollington Park he negotiated the purchase of land for the present Church at Holloway. He turned his attention to a specific need of the Irish. He provided a house and asked his able assistant, Father Thomas McNamara to become its manager. Hence the foundation of the Irish Centre, later to be transferred to Camden Town. George's energies were never exhausted. He next planned the present primary school at Tollington Park. which is dedicated to Christ the King. He led an active retirement and was essentially a community man. He loved company and kept an open door for visitors. Up until recently he said Mass at Kilmoley. Ardtert and was always ready to help the local clergy. The full force of the Atlantic breezes never deterred his outdoor activities. He was a strong man and only confined and marooned by the high tides at Barrow, which came up to his gate. George was always busy, happy in the greenhouse and doubly jovial when the 'Horse' or 'Dog' he had his eye on came in first! The plaque presented to him at his Golden Jubilee bore the inscription "Gloria et Finis", a tribute he appreciated. He was grateful to God for his full life. May he rest in peace. His funeral Mass took place at Ardfert Parish Church at 2.00pm on Thursday 13 February, 1997.
George Groves died peacefully at Our Lady of Fatima Nursing Home. Tralee, Co Kerry. He was 87 years of age and had suffered a stroke less than a month before.
Father Manoel Gomes - died 24 December 1989
Emmanuel Virgil Gomes was born in Georgetown, British Guiana, on 20 January 1909. His family moved to England in 1922, settling first at St Albans. Their son Manoel attended St. Michael's College, Hitchin, before entering St Edmund's College Ware in 1927.
After training for the priesthood in Allen Hall he was ordained priest by Bishop Myers on 29 June 1933. He served as assistant in the parishes of Hackney (1933-34), Islington (1934-38) Spanish Place (1938- 42) Hampstead (1942-50); then as parish priest, first at Isleworth (1950-57 , then at Hampton where he remained until his retirement in 1975 when he went to live in Isleworth. He was in hospital for only a few days before his peaceful death on Christmas Eve 80 years of age and a priest of our diocese for 56 years. He is buried in Isleworth Old Cemetery, in the plot reserved for former parish priests of Isleworth.
Monsignor Alfred Blount
Principal Army Chaplain in 1953 and Vicar General of the Diocese in 1954, Monsignor Blount came to Hampton in 1956, but died before the end of the year at the early age of 47.
Father Norman Fergusson
Parish Priest from 1953 to 1956, when he retired to Much Hadham and thence to Manor House Convent in 1957. He died on 11th October 1986 at the age of 91.
Father Cyril Sowerby
Ordained in 1911, he was at Tottenham before his transfer to Hampton in 1942. He retired to Milford on Sea in 1953 and died six years later, aged 76.
Father Harold Burton
Brother of Canon Edwin, he was the first to be appointed as Parish Priest for Hampton when St Theodore's was built in 1927. He also had a spell here in 1924, when he stayed at Walnut Tree Cottage. He stayed until his death on 27th September 1942, aged 59. He was ordained in 1900.
Monsignor Canon Lionel Evans
Served Hampton from Westminster from 1918-1927 (except for 1924). He was Vicar General in 1937, and also Chancellor of the Diocese. He died on 30th August 1942, aged 60.
Canon Edwin Hubert Burton
Ordained on 27th March 1898, he was parish priest at Hampton Hill when Hampton came under his jurisdiction following the death of Fr Cave.
Father Martin William Cave
He founded the parish in 1918, when Hampton came within the Sunbury boundary, and he suggested the use of the Avenue Road premises as a chapel. He was the first priest to be ordained in Westminister Cathedral (1904). He died at the age of 60 in 1922.