Parish History

October 3rd, 1958 was a great day for the Catholic communities of Lincluden, Lochside, Summerhill, Somerville, Sandside, Terregles, Thornhill, Dunscore and Moniaive.

Bishop Joseph McGee of Galloway with Archbishop Gordon Gray of St. Andrew’s and Edinburgh, solemnly opened and dedicated the new Church of St Teresa of Lisieux.

Bishop McGee said at the Church opening, “It is our hope and prayer that the Church of St Teresa may become the centre of a great Christian family, strong in the faith, united in mutual charity and love of God and that here great things may be accomplished for the glory of God and the sanctification of souls.” The expansion of Dumfries in the 1930’s made the opening of a second Catholic Church in the town necessary to supplement the already existing Parish of St Andrew’s in Brooke Street, Dumfries.

Canon O’Sullivan, the Parish Priest of St Andrew’s, bought the land for a Church in Glasgow Street, north west of the river Nith, but the coming of the Second World War postponed the start of any building and it was not until the 1950’s that the Diocese was able to proceed.

With the opening of St Teresa’s Primary School in 1964, the identity of the Parish was complete. The new Parish was entrusted to Fr Francis Duffy and his assistant Fr Denis Quinlan.

The following Priests have served our parish community:

PARISH PRIESTS

The years following each priests’ name are the years they served at St Teresa’s

Monsignor Francis Duffy 1958-1972
RIP 25th November 2000

Father John Walsh 1972-1982
RIP 24th November 2009

Canon Sam McGinness 1982-1985
RIP 9th February 2009

Canon Pat McSorley 1985-1997

Presently living in Troon in retirement helping out in the diocese where he can.

Canon John Walls 1997-2010
RIP 28th February 2010

Father Jim Hayes 2010-Present

ASSISTANT PRIESTS

Canon Denis Quinlan 1958-1972
Father Tom McCann 1962-1972
RIP 8th April 2009
Father James McHugh 1959-1962
RIP
Canon Archibald Brown 1972-1975
Father William Murray 1975-1978
Father John Kinsler 1977-1979
Father Stanislaus Harbison 1974-1975
Father John Quinn 1978-1979
Father Michael Reddan S.D.S. 1979-1980
Father Charles Duffin
Monsignor Peter Magee 1982-1984
Father Douglas Hutchison 1985-1987
Father John McLean 1987-1989
Father George Thompson 1989-1993
Father Gerald Donnelly 1995-1997
Father Stephen Latham1997-1999

The years each of our priests served us would be a great help to our archive.

Please email any knowledge/corrections you may have to jah6593@gmail.com
Thank you.

Bible Quotations

You say: "It's impossible"

God says: All things are possible

(Luke 18:27)

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear ... "

1 John 4:18

I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.

Jeremiah 31:13

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Matthew 5:4

... the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:6

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.

Proverbs 24:16

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair ...

2 Corinthians 4:8

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace ...

1 Corinthians 14:33

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:16

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

Proverbs 18:10

"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, 'Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?' that is to say, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'"

Matthew 27:46

"Then said Jesus, 'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.'"

Luke 23:34

"Jesus said, 'Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.'"

Luke 23:43

"And when Jesus had cried out in a loud voice, he said, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,' with these words he breathed his last."

Luke 23:46

"Jesus said to his mother, 'Woman, this is your son,' then to the disciple he said, 'This is your mother.'"

John 19:26-27

"After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, 'I thirst.'"

John 19:28

"When Jesus had taken the vinegar, he said, 'It is finished,' and bowing his head he gave up his spirit."

John 19:30

"....,he has risen, he is not here." Mark 16:6

Mark 16:6

"The Apostles continued to testify to the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus...."

Acts 4:33

"....he saw and he believed."

John 20:8

"'They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,' she said...."

John 20:2

"Jesus said, 'Mary!' She knew him then....and said to him, 'Rabbuni!'..."

John 20:16

" 'As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.' "

John 20:21

"Thomas replied, 'My Lord and my God!'"

John 20:28

"Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe."

John 20:29

"He has risen from the dead...."

Matthew 28:7

"Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid;....'"

Matthew 28:10

" 'Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations;....' "

Matthew 28:19

" '....I am with you always;....' "

Matthew 28:20

" 'Why look among the dead for someone who is alive?' "

Luke 24:5

"And their eyes were opened and they recognised him;...."

Luke 24:31

"....they had recognised him at the breaking of bread"

Luke 24:35

" '....yes, it is I indeed.' "

Luke 24:39

" 'God raised this man Jesus to life,....' "

Acts 2:32

"The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul;...."

Acts 4:32