William Errington (priest)
Encyclopedia
William Errington was an English Roman Catholic priest, founder of Sedgley Park School
.
, Northumberland
; his mother's maiden name was Martha Baker. In 1737 he went to Douai
, took the mission oath 28 December 1741, and was ordained a priest in December, 1747. If he acted as professor at Douai after his ordination, as is generally stated, it could only have been for a very short time, as he left there for England, 26 March 1748 (manuscript list of Douai clergy in the Westminster archives).
On arrival in London he took up his residence with Bishop Richard Challoner
, then coadjutor to Bishop Benjamin Petre
. Kirk states that Dr. Challoner "had a high opinion of Mr. Errington, both as an active and zealous missionary and as a man of business". It was on account of these qualities that when the bishop wished to found a good school in England he induced Errington to undertake the work.
Errington made three unsuccessful attempts, the first in Buckinghamshire
, the second in Wales
, and the third at Betley
near Newcastle-under-Lyne, in Staffordshire
, before he succeeded in founding a permanent school at Sedgley Park in the neighbourhood of Wolverhampton
. On Lady-Day, 1763, he opened this school with twelve boys in the house known as the Park Hall, till then the residence of John, Lord Ward
, afterwards Viscount Dudley and Ward. The foundation was at once attacked in Parliament, but Lord Dudley successfully defended himself.
The school was not interfered with; it developed into the Sedgley Park School which existed for over a century, and was succeeded by St. Wilfrid's College, Oakmoor, near Cheadle. Having founded the school, Errington's work there was done, and as soon as he secured the appointment of the Rev. Hugh Kendall as head-master in May, 1763, he returned to Bishop Challoner in London. He was appointed archdeacon and treasurer of the Old Chapter
and held these offices till his death.
Sedgley Park School, Wolverhampton
Sedgley Park School was a Roman Catholic Academy located on the outskirts of Wolverhampton, then part of Staffordshire.Originally the home of the Barons and Baronesses Dudley until 1757, Sedgley Park School was founded by William Errington, at the recommendation of Bishop Richard Challoner, on 25...
.
Life
He was son of Mark Errington of Wiltshire, a descendant of the Erringtons of Walwick GrangeWalwick Grange
Walwick Grange is a privately owned 18th century country house situated on the bank of the River North Tyne close to Hadrians Wall at Warden, Northumberland. It is a Grade II* listed building....
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
; his mother's maiden name was Martha Baker. In 1737 he went to Douai
Douai
-Main sights:Douai's ornate Gothic style belfry was begun in 1380, on the site of an earlier tower. The 80 m high structure includes an impressive carillon, consisting of 62 bells spanning 5 octaves. The originals, some dating from 1391 were removed in 1917 during World War I by the occupying...
, took the mission oath 28 December 1741, and was ordained a priest in December, 1747. If he acted as professor at Douai after his ordination, as is generally stated, it could only have been for a very short time, as he left there for England, 26 March 1748 (manuscript list of Douai clergy in the Westminster archives).
On arrival in London he took up his residence with Bishop Richard Challoner
Richard Challoner
Richard Challoner was an English Roman Catholic bishop, a leading figure of English Catholicism during the greater part of the 18th century. He is perhaps most famous for his revision of the Douay Rheims translation of the Bible.-Early life:Challoner was born in the Protestant town of Lewes,...
, then coadjutor to Bishop Benjamin Petre
Benjamin Petre
Benjamin Petre was an English Roman Catholic prelate, Vicar Apostolic of the London District from 1734.-Life:He was born 10 August 1672, the son of John Petre of Fidlers or Fithlers, Essex , by his second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of John Pincheon of Writtle...
. Kirk states that Dr. Challoner "had a high opinion of Mr. Errington, both as an active and zealous missionary and as a man of business". It was on account of these qualities that when the bishop wished to found a good school in England he induced Errington to undertake the work.
Errington made three unsuccessful attempts, the first in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
, the second in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, and the third at Betley
Betley
Betley is a village and civil parish in the Newcastle district of Staffordshire, England, about halfway between Newcastle-under-Lyme and Nantwich. Betley forms a continual linear settlement with Wrinehill.-Transport:...
near Newcastle-under-Lyne, in Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, before he succeeded in founding a permanent school at Sedgley Park in the neighbourhood of Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
. On Lady-Day, 1763, he opened this school with twelve boys in the house known as the Park Hall, till then the residence of John, Lord Ward
John Ward, 1st Viscount Dudley and Ward
John Ward, 1st Viscount Dudley and Ward , known as John Ward until 1740 and as the 6th Baron Ward from 1740 to 1763, was a British peer and politician....
, afterwards Viscount Dudley and Ward. The foundation was at once attacked in Parliament, but Lord Dudley successfully defended himself.
The school was not interfered with; it developed into the Sedgley Park School which existed for over a century, and was succeeded by St. Wilfrid's College, Oakmoor, near Cheadle. Having founded the school, Errington's work there was done, and as soon as he secured the appointment of the Rev. Hugh Kendall as head-master in May, 1763, he returned to Bishop Challoner in London. He was appointed archdeacon and treasurer of the Old Chapter
Old Chapter
The Old Chapter was the body in effective control of the Roman Catholic Church in England, from 1623 to 1850 .-Origin:...
and held these offices till his death.