Father I Wilfrid Mackenzie

Soon after his arrival in 1956 Father Mackenzie was faced with the daunting task of planning,
the expansion of the school and fulfilling a wish to see the completion of the church. To use
Father's own words "It was Father Mark Haidy who first told me how beautiful the church was
at Lostock Hall, how right he was I said to myself when I came on a preliminary visit in Spring
1956.

Right from the beginning it was my wish to finish the church and in due time I wrote to Abbot
Byme to ask whether I might make initial investigations."

Father Mackenzie's wish was fulfilled and on Sunday 26th May 1963 the Rt, Rev. Basil Hume,
OSB, Abbot of Ampleforth, (the future but now deceased Cardinal Hume) was in attendance for
the Blessing of the Tower and extension.

In October 1968 he was appointed Parish Priest at Saint Johns Easingwold where he was visited
regularly by men of the parish.