RI SHOP RUDDERHAM of " Clifton consecrated the church of St. Gerard Majella, Knowle, Bristol, last Wednesday. This is the golden jubilee year of the parish, which was started by a Benedictine from Douai, Fr. Horrigan, O.S.B.
For a short time after his arrival Fr. Horrigan said Mass in a dairy. the foundation stone of the present church being laid in December, 1909. When it was built, St. Gerard's became known as " the church on the hill ", for there were so few large buildings near it and standing out on its high promontory it could be seen for miles around.
Fr. Horrigan remained with the parish until his death in 1922, and was succeeded by two other Douai Benedictines, Fr. Murty and Fr. Simpson. In 1935 the Order decided to hand St. Gerard's over to the diocesan authorities, and Fr. Patrick Berry took over, assisted by Fr. Sutton, the present parish priest.
St. Gerard's link with the Benedictines was not forgotten at the ceremonies on Wednesday; the present Abbot of Douai, Abbot Dooley, was asked to consecrate the altar of St Benedict and the Holy Souls.