Wigan Album

Rev J. Woods was vicar at St. Matthews between 1910 - 1936 according to the book 'A History of St. Matthew's Highfield'.

It was on 23rd August, 1881 that the Reverend J. Wood entered upon his work in Highfield, and this continued until his retirement in November 1908. He died on 14th June 1911. During this ministry, the great event was the building of the present church. This was commissioned by Colonel Blundell as a memorial to his wife, who had at one time been a lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria. The foundation stone was laid on 23rd April 1892.

TIM, WINNIE, THERE APPEARS TO BE SOME CONFUSION RE THE DATES OF HIS INCUMBENCY?

Ironically, there was Rev. J Woods (in the picture above) that followed Rev. J Wood (without the 's') As stated in the book, Rev J. Wood was curate in charge from 1881 - 1908. Then Rev. J Wood was the forth curate in charge from 1909 - 1910.
He then became the first Vicar from 1910 - 1936

What a coincidence.. Sounds a bit like the Peter Sellers film HEAVENS ABOVE..<g>