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THE VERY REVEREND CANON CALLEBERT M. R.

NO. CCLXXXIII ----Historical and Biographical Sketch.

Nature has spread her beauties with a lavish hand around Egton Bridge -- this home of the Faith. The boisterous River Esk comes bounding down the valley, winding in and out, filling the air with its gurgling music. In that part of its course along which it traverses the Arnecliffe Woods, its bed is studded with huge boulders of stone over which it pours itself in a raging torrent. Emerging from the woods, it moves along placidly for some distance as if it were gaining breath after its mad frolic. It then leaps over three weirs near to the village mill, and its triple course uniting again it scampers along in rippling laughter under Blue Shale Bridge whence it traverses the picturesque vale to which it has given its name, and pours itself into the sea at Whitby. A visitor could gain no better idea of the rich, warm scenery of Egton Bridge than by traversing the banks of this merry home of the salmon and trout. A true disciple of Isaack Walton would find it difficult to tear himself away from such a happy fishing ground. As the years succeed one another, Egton Bridge is becoming of more and more interest to the many visitors who seek there a rest from the cares of a busy world, and it is to be hoped that not only its natural but also its supernatural beauty will bring home to them the beauties of the faith which is its proudest boast, and by this means gather into the Church many chosen souls who might otherwise be lost amongst the janglings of heresies.

There is ample proof for the belief that the faith 'once delivered to the saints" was never uprooted in this picturesque village of Egton Bridge. Such is the conviction of its inhabitants of the present day. It is into the dim distance of ancient history that we must search for the evidence---and such evidence is not wanting of its early establishment in what in those days must have been a remote corner of the land. But, though remote, it suffered much from persecution when the Reformation was introduced into England. Three churches, and a hospital dedicated to St. Leonard, which were formerly the pride of the village, were destroyed, and not a vestige remains of them. The priory of Grosmont, one mile from the village, was also destroyed.

Catholicity, having been freed from the penal laws, has in no district made more rapid strides to regain its ancient glory than at Egton Bridge. Previous to the re-establishment of the mission in its present state, the Catholics of the district were ministered to by missionary priests who kept the ancient faith alive through the ages of persecution. A complete list of their names has been preserved from the time of the Rev. Nicholas Postgate, D.D., 1679.

A short sketch of this glorious martyr will show, as far as the human understanding can fathom it, why the people of this locality have held so tenaciously to that faith which many of their countrymen so shamefully betrayed. The success of the labours of this holy confessor encouraged his followers in the ministry to continue the great work which he had begun.

Nicholas Postgate, alias Posket, born in the parish of Egton, about the end of the sixteenth century, of catholic parents, who had already suffered much for the faith, completed his studies in the English College of Douay, and set out for England in June, l630, to minister the consolations of Holy Church to those of his native home. After many years of hard work he was apprehended by one Reeves at Littlebeck, near Whitby, and committed to York Gaol. At the trial the witness deposed that he had seen him baptise a child and exercise other priestly functions, and on this he was found guilty and condemned for high treason on August 7th l679. He was hanged, and his quartered body was given to his friends for interment. One of his hands is now at Ampleforth College. For close on fifty years Father Postgate had laboured in this his native home, and the neighbouring towns and villages, converting hundreds by word and example, and contentedly living in wretched huts on Egton Moor.

Thomas Ward, the author of ENGLAND'S REFORMATION, who was born in this neighbourhood, says that he knew him well, and gives the following account of him in his fourth canto:-

Nor spared they Father Posket's blood,

A reverend priest devout and good,

Whose spotless life in length was spun

To eighty years and three times one.

Sweet his behaviour, grave his speech,

He did by good example teach.

His sanctity to that degree,

As angels lived so did he.

At the gallows he spoke but little. The substance of his words was: "I die in the Catholic Religion, out of which there is no salvation. Mr. Sheriff, you know that I die not for the plot, but for my religion. I pray God to bless the King and the Royal family. I pray God to give him His grace and the light of truth. I forgive all that have wronged me and brought me to this death."

The unhappy man that apprehended him never received the £20 reward he looked for; but, after suffering for some time extreme torture of body and mind, was found drowned in a small brook near Littlebeck; and to this day the place in which he was drowned is called the Devil's Hole.

After his martyrdom Mass was celebrated secretly in different farmhouses and cottages by his successors. As long as the penal laws against Catholics were in operation the priests were compelled to hide their sacred calling, taking assumed names and often seeking refuge in hiding places formed for that purpose in thick walls of farmhouses. One of these may still be seen in Ugthorpe Old Hall. At the village of Egton situated upon the hill overlooking Egton Bridge, there still stands a cottage in one of whose rooms Father Postgate and his successors were accustomed to celebrate Mass. The altar stone and Tabernacle belonging to this humble chapel have been secured by the Rector of Egton Bridge and are now in one of the chapels of his church. Evidence of another chapel has but recently been swept away in the demolition of the old lodge. There were traces of a chapel at the end of the house, and niches were found containing images of St. Michael and St. John the Baptist. Ugthorpe was served from Egton Bridge and the history of the latter parish does not become sufficiently distinct from that of the former until Mr. Woodcock attended the Mission at Egton Bridge. Under his ministration the chapel was erected in 1790, which is at present used for a school. The numbers of the congregation gradually swelled to such an extent that the present schoolhouse was no longer sufficient to contain them. It was therefore necessary to provide more ample accommodation. As the result of the untiring energy and zeal of the present pastor of the Mission, the noble edifice, which is now the most prominent feature of the valley of the Esk, stands as a lasting witness of a faith which defied persecution. It was erected in the year 1867 at a cost of £4000, raised by subscriptions the largest of which amounted to £50. The church is entirely free from debt, and was consecrated in 1855. The church is built of white stone, and consists of a sanctuary and nave built in the Gothic style, the interior roof being circular, and resting on two arcades of well formed arches, which separate the nave from the aisles. The sanctuary, projected in the form of an apse, is lighted by five turret windows of stained glass, of which the three centre ones contain the figures of the Holy Rood. Mural paintings of frescoes depicting various events in the life of Our Lord cover the sanctuary walls from roof to basement. The altar is a beautiful piece executed in Munich. It corresponds with the general Gothic style of the entire building, extending to a considerable height in three decorated pinnacles of such dimensions as to sufficiently assert itself within a building of such a noble extent. It rests upon five steps of white marble. The floor has lately been covered with a carpet of velvet pile. The pulpit is an excellent example of Belgian art. It is made of oak, artistically carved and in perfect unison with the many other splendors of the church. St. Hedda is depicted on the carving along with the four Evangelists. In addition to the ? of the Sacred Heart and Our Lady {rest of line unreadable} sanctuary, the aisles are richly decorated with a magnificent set of Stations of the Cross, made in terra-cotta, and beautifully painted in polychrome. They are a special triumph of Belgian art; and appeal most forcibly and realistically to every one performing this beautiful devotion. The figures stand out in full relief, in natural groups, their features finely expressive of the several scenes depicted--The Pharise gnashing his teeth in hatred, the Cyrenean looking on Our Lord with pity; love and grief contending for the mastery sweeping alternately over the angelic face of the beloved Apostle; and last, but not least, the Mother of Sorrows follows patiently along the Via Crucus, realising to the full the piercing thrust of the sword of sorrow. Each station occupies a small recess let into the walls of the church, and devotees have ample accommodation along the spacious aisles to satisfy their devotion. The stations in themselves are of sufficient interest to repay any visitors to the church. The nave extends to the length of five large Gothic arches which separate the aisles from the body of the nave. The beauty of the church is not, however, entirely within, for on the outside, the south wall bears the fifteen representations, in colour, of the mysteries of the Holy Rosary. The east wall of the church is surmounted by a belfry in which swings a silver toned bell whose sound is heard sweetly pealing over hill and dale, and telling to all that cannot attend that their Lord is coming down upon the altar and is being elevated for their adoration. In the church grounds is erected a grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, also a permanent representation of the Cave of Bethlehem. In addition to these there are several images of the saints to whom this congregation are especially devoted, standing in the grounds. All that we have imperfectly described is due, under God, to the active zeal and pious devotion of the present Rector of the Mission, and we feel that our short sketch would be imperfect without giving a brief review of his life.

Canon Callebert is a native of Belgium, being born in Roulers in l824. He is at present the oldest Canon in harness, but his activity gives promise of continued usefulness amongst the people so devotedly attached to him. He went through his studies at Roulers and Douay and having volunteered for the English Mission was ordained priest at Ushaw College in 1851. For eight and a half years he worked among the Catholics of Sheffield, whence he came to Egton Bridge. With what success he has worked this Mission during a period of thirty nine years is sufficiently attested from the description we have given above of the advanced state of the Mission. In appreciation of his sterling merit Father Callebert was appointed Canon, and shortly afterwards Missionary Rector. May God continue to bless his work!

V.0'C.

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From the last paragraph it is seen that Fr. Callebert came to Egton Bridge in l859 and the date of the article is l898. The following year saw a presentation part of the proceedings of which have come to light. They are contained in a newspaper report by an unknown reporter of an unknown newspaper. No doubt the cuttings are the work of 'Bishop" Tom Lyth and were donated to the author by his daughter Ja? together with a number of old Photographs. A gift duly acknowledged and appreciated. However the paper's name and the conclusion are absent. The available information is below:-

PRESENTATION TO THE VERY REVEREND CANON CALLEBERT M.R. R.D.

His forty years ministry at Egton Bridge.

Yesterday (Holy Thursday) morning an interesting and valuable presentation was made to the Very Rev. Canon Callebert, M.R. R.D., the highly respected priest at St. Hedda's Catholic Church, Egton Bridge, by the parishioners and friends to commemorate the fortieth year of his devoted ministry at Egton Bridge. The presentation took the form of an address and a purse of gold amounting to £100, this handsome figure including contributions not only from Catholic residents and non-residents, but also from members of other creeds who have thus shown their esteem for a faithful priest and a worthy man. Among the contributors we may mention the name of Messrs. J & A.B. Foster, the owners of the Egton Estate who have subscribed £10. The period covered by Canon Callebert's ministry has been a most eventful one for the district, for he has seen the rise and progress of the Grosmont, and Glaisdale works and other projects of a similar nature in the neighbourhood and he has also lived to witness their decline and fall. Both Ugthorpe and Egton may be justly described as strongholds of Romanism, and Canon Callebert to his honour be it said, has borne the burden and heat of the day for fully forty years. A peculiar interest attaches to Egton in conection to the name of Nicholas Postgate, whose martyrdom stands out prominently in the history of the Church. A recent number of The Lamp contains an account on CATHOLICITY IN EGTON BRIDGE and from this we make the following extracts:

"Catholicity --------------------- and shortly afterwards Missionary Rector"(given fully in the original article above. Author's note)

THE PRESENTATION

The presentation was made in the schoolroom immediately after Mass, when, despite the unfavourable weather---rain falling very heavily all the morning---which prevailed, there was a very large attendance, the room being quite full. Mr. R. Bennison occupied the chair, and he was supported by Messrs. Joseph Lawson, I. Lawson, G. Hoggarth, Wm. Readman, J. Harrison, J. Dunwwell, Capt. E.T. Jackson of Whitby, Mr. T. Burnett of Whitby and others. The Rev. Canon, upon entering the room, received a very hearty ovation, and having taken his seat, the chairman proceeded to call upon Mr. I. Lawson to read the address, and in so doing said when he looked round the crowded room he saw several who would have filled his position that day more efficiently. They all knew the reason of the assemblage, and he could assure the Canon that he had the good wishes, not only of his own congregation, but of the Lords of the Manor and the residents of the surrounding district. As one of the collectors appointed, he could say, that their task had been a very light one indeed, for as soon as the Canon's name was mentioned, the people they called upon, not only opened their hearts with good wishes, but also their purses. They had all, every right to be proud of their noble Canon for the many great things he had achieved during the past forty years of his ministry among them -- they had only to look at the beautiful church and splendid altar which had been erected through the energy and perseverance he had exercised. (Applause) As they were aware, Canon was getting old and consequently needed all the assistance he could get from his flock. At the same time, however, they hoped he would continue to reign over them for many more years, which he felt sure, was the wish of each one the congregation. (Hear, Hear) At the next meeting in the schoolroom they might be able to impart their good wishes on the Canon attaining his golden jubilee as a priest, and he knew that such was the fervent wish of each and every one that day. (Applause) As a priest, he could say that the Canon had very few equals, and no superiors; and he hoped God would spare him to reign over them for many more years, which was the wish of each member of the congregation. (Hear, Hear)

Mr. Isaac Lawson then read the address which was as follows:-

TO THE VERY REV. AND DEAN CANON CALLEBERT M.R.

We, the members of our congregation, friends, and residents in this locality, beg to present you with this address, and purse of gold; in honour of your forty years priesthood at Egton Bridge, and to offer you our sincere thanks for the many good graces and favours we nave received through your hands.

We cannot but look upon the great efforts you have made in erecting such a beautiful church and getting it consecrated, also the great interest you have at all times taken in the care of your flock, and the welfare of the school. It has always been your special study to make the schools as efficient as possible and so train the young to live up to their religion, besides giving them a sound and useful education.

The purse of gold which we present you contains one hundred golden bullets (loud laughter) and has been subscribed by the lords of the Manor, friends all round the country, -------

Here ends the newspaper cutting.

It seems quite possible that the same writer was responsible for both the article and the report.

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