236 A HISTORY OF LONGRIDGE. [Chap. 11. 



Roman Catholic Churches. 

 The Hill Eoman Catholic Chapel was erected about 1750, taking the 

 place of an older one which formerly stood near Whitehill ; there is 

 belonging to it a house for the priest and a ijermanent endowment. 

 The registers date from about 1770. The Chapel was rebuilt in 1802, 

 and enlarged in 1834. Inscribed in front is, " Glory to God on high, 

 MDCCCXXXV." Near the entrance to the Chapel is an upright cross. 

 The Chapel is a plain-looking building, and will seat about 300 

 persons. The list of priests is as follows : — 



Eev. Mr. Tootle. 



Eev. Mr. Fleet. 



1777 Eev. Charles Wilcock, O.S.F. 



1802 Eev. Joseph B. Martin, O.S.F. 



1834 Eev. E. Dinmore, O.S.B. 



1879 Rev. Matthew Brierley, O.S.B. 

 There is a School in connection with the Chapel. 



The Eev. M. Brierley has sent me the following figures which are 

 very interesting and instructive : 



Baptisms : 



1777-1802 1802-34 1834-79 1879-88 



480 912 503 55 



Average per year : 

 19 28 11 6 



Probable average number of Catholics : 

 570 840 330 180 



The above figures are truly remarkable, showing a decrease in the 

 Catholic poiHilation of Goosnargh of no less than 70 jjer cent, in 100 

 years. I am unable to state the causes of this astonishing decrease : 

 I can only record the fact. 



KEY. FR. MATTHEW BKIEELEY, O.S.B. 



The Eev. M. B/ierley has been at the Hill Mission for 9 years. He 

 lives a retired life, working quietly among his flock. He is the 

 chaplain at Whittingham Asylum, whpre he holds weekly services. 



