James Joseph John Chrysostom Lonergan was born in Upholland, Wigan on 7 November 1885 of Irish parents Thomas Lonergan and Sarah (nee Lowrey). . He spent his early years at Upholland College, where the family lived in the College Lodge,. His father Thomas was the gardener. He was educated at Ushaw; he is listed there as a 15 year old in the 1901 census. and ordained by Bishop Whiteside on 7th August 1910.
Father Lonergan was curate at St Sylvester, Liverpool to 1918, CF. to 1919, then curate at Our Lady, Eldon Street to 1925.
In 1925, Father Lonergan was appointed Priest in Charge at St Cuthberts to start the new parish; he moved into St Oswald's presbytery in September of that year.
By June 1926 it was clear that the work he had done securing funds for the new parish had had a significant impact on his health, and he was unable to continue this work. He was moved to St Joseph, Penketh and was their first parish Priest, but died suddenly on 5th August 1927.