Wilfrid Rylance was born on the 27th March 1874, and educated in the school here from 1887 to 1803, when he was admitted to the novitiate as Brother Theodore.  Two younger brothers, the late Fr Romuald and Fr Cyril, who happily survived him, later became monks of Downside. 

He was ordained in 1901.   He was an exceptionally hard worker and a devoted teacher who spared no pains to get his classes on.   One associates him with masses of 'gelatined' notes wherewith lie supplemented or replaced the textbooks, and with untiring vigour on the football field.   He could be gay and humorous, but lie was always a shy man; and this, together with his grimly ascetic appearance, tended to make him seem unapproachable. He had in fact his full share of sociability, but he was infrequently able to gratify it.

However, he was a highly valued member of the community, which penetrated, as communities do, the phenomena and appreciated the real man underneath.   In 1906 he was sent out to work in the parishes and was stationed successively at St Alban's and St Benedict's in Warrington, at St Mary's, Brownedge, St Anne's, Liverpool, and at Workington.   

In 1925 lie was put in charge at Abergavenny, and four years later at Lostock Hall.  
There he remained for thirteen years, finding much that was congenial in the firm hold on principle and strict fidelity to practice of unspoilt Lancashire.   From his pulpit and in private he defended and promoted that spirit and vehemently rebuked any decline to lower standards.   Consequently his people looked up to him with confidence and respect: but only those he had tended in distress really loved him: they had seen another and a different side of him.

In 1942 he was moved to Knaresborough and three years later to Lee House.   He was tiring now, and the peace of the little parish gave him great contentment and ample opportunity for manual labour with pick and shovel.   In 1956 his bodily weakness put an end to his active life and he had to accept the unwelcome role of invalid. He bore this patiently without self-pity, and died quietly on the 16th March 1958.   By the desire of his late parishioners at Lostock Hall he was buried there. The large attendance at his funeral although it was sixteen years since lie left the parish, showed how strong and lasting an impression lie had made.   May lie rest in peace.