The history of English Martyrs Parish started with a man who was a true Catholic and an excellent instrument in God's hands. His faith changend the life in Rugby and is an example for all of us.

''Thomas Smallwood, Lock Keeper on the Oxford Canal, held gatherings of Catholics, mainly Irish 'navvies' working on the canal, at his at the bottom lock on the Canal at Hillmorton. (…) Sometimes a priest came to say Mass in his house, but more often Catholics walked over to Bosworth Hall, Lord Cliffords estate, some 12 miles away or Wappenbury, 8 miles away on the Southam Road, near Princethorpe, or Stanford Hall for Sunday Mass.

1846 Thomas Smallwood died. He and his wife are buried in St.John the Baptist churchyard, Lower Hillmorton.
His son Thomas John Smallwood was a staunch Catholic and carried on his father's work as Lock Keeper and of rallying the Catholics. He is buried in St.Marie's churchyard.

After taking up residence at Bilton Grange, Captain Washington Hibbert added a Catholic Chapel to the buildings for the devotions of his wif, Lady Julia. When a priest was in residence at Bilton Grange, Mr.Smallwood and the Hillmorton Catholics attended Mass at the Chapel. This soon became overcrowded, Captain Hibbert responded by commissioning Pugin to build a church for the Catholics of Rugby, this was later expanded to the present church of St.Marie's.

The fortitude of these loyal Catholics, who walked miles to place of worship, with a packed lunch of sandwiches, to be eaten after Mass, and after a fast from midnight, has to be admired. The patrons of these places of worship provided a hot cup of tea before Catholics walked back to Hillmorton, Rugby. Some years ago the well from which this group drank water was still standing at Stanford Hall.

In the 1890's Fr. Wilcox, a curate from St.Marie's (…) hired a room in Hillmorton on Sunday afternoons to teach children their faith and held a little service for them. This continued for 5 years.

After World War II Fr. Cunningham, Parish Priest of St.Marie's, sent a curate, Fr. Palmer to say Mass in the Red Lion Inn. Later Fenwick Hall, which was hired out to the public and was opposite the Red Lion, was used for the celebration of Mass. The Landlord of the Red Lion, Mr.Bert Hadfield, kept the portable altar and other requisites for Mass and they were taken across the road to Fenwick Hall every week. The first Hillmorton Mass Centre attracted congregations of 40 to 50 people, inspite of the splinters from kneeling on the wooden floor. Considerable damage was caused to silk stockings, one parishioner considered charging the church for same!

In 1953 the first site, purchased with a loan from the Diocese negotiated by Fr. Horgan (Parish Priest of St.Marie's), was a piece of land opposite Moyeady Avenue on Hillmorton Road.

In 1954 plans were drawn up for the church and hall with space for a Presbytery at a later date. Archbishop and Rosminian Provincial discuss the setting up of a new Parish in Hillmorton with a Diocesan Parish Priest.

Mrs.Fellows at Hillmorton House, High Street, Hillmorton, approached Fr.Denis Horgan with the offer of a furnished flat for the new Parish Priest as she was leaving the house to live elsewhere. After prolonged negotiations, the Parish was able to purchase the whole house with nearly an acre of ground, with the option on the rest of the farm, to be acuired at a later date. This purchase was made with the assistance of a Diocesan Loan. The loan was partly based on the value of the Hillmorton Road site. The house was bought for £ 4,500 and the loan paid back by the Parish by 1958.
The Parish of English Martyrs
On 17th of July 1955 with the arrival of Fr. John Kearns, who was appointed as the first Parish Priest. The Parish of English Martyrs began in its own right … The Tabernacle, Stations of the Cross, as well as the seating, came originally from recently demolished Chapel on the Earl of Denbigh's estate at Newnham Paddox, near Monks Kirby.

In April 1958 the first ideas to build a new Parish School on land purchased to the rear of the Church. The School would have three classrooms.

On 6th of July 1959 Archbishop Francis Grimshaw settled the official boundaries. The Parish is in a triangle bounded by Rainsbrook to the south, A5 Watling Street to the east (coincident with the Archdiocesan Boundary) and the line of the former Great Central Railway to the west and north.

1960 the School officially opened with Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany. Mr. James Francis Eccles was appointed Headmaster, assited by Deputy Head Miss Agnes Philips and Mrs. Shirley Maguire. There were 79 pupils.

1962 Fr.Ireland was appointed Parish Priest. He immediately set about preparations for a new church to be built on the land to the west of Hillmorton House.
By 1963 the number of pupils at the school had risen to 130. The Diocesan Schools Commision decided therefore to extend the school. Whilst the building work was taking place, one class had to be accomodated in half of the church.
1965 work on a new purpose built church began.
At Midnight on Christmas Eve 1965 was celebrated the first Mass in the new Church.
On the 15th of January 1966 Archbishop George Patrick Dwyer officially opened and blessed the new church. He was assited by Fr.Ireland, Fr.Kearns, Fr.Kirner (Dean of Rugby) and Mgr.John Humphries, with 400 people filling the church to the capacity.
The design and making of the stained glass windows for English Martyrs Church were carried out by Jonah Jones of Criccieth, Wales. It represents The Crown of Thorns.
The old church in the house was converted into a church hall, with a tea bar built into the corner. At this stage only
£ 3,000 had been raised by the Parish towards the £ 40,000 required to pay for the Church at that time.
1967 Mr.Eccles, the Headmaster, resigned and was replaced by Mr.Donald Bravin as Headmaster.

1967 Fr.Leo J.Joppe was appointed as Parish Priest.

Great efforts were made to raise money to pay for the new church. His brother Piet and sister-in-law Antonia (Tonny) came from Holland to help him in the Parish. They were a great support to Fr. Joppe at a difficult time financially in the Parish.
The remaining land between the Church and the School boundary was purchased. Plans were drawn up for a new Presbytery Bungalow to be built by voluntary labour.

1970 saw the completion of the new Presbytery.

On the 27th of February 1970 Miss Monica Mary Barnett died at the Nursing Home, 37 Bilton road, with Fr.Joppe in attendance. He conducted the funeral and burial at St,Marie's on 3rd March 1970. As a result the Sunnycroft Fram at Clifton-upon-Dunsmore became property of the Birmingham Diocesan Trustees for the benefit of the Parishes of English Martyrs, Hillmorton, and Sacred Heart, Bilton.

On 25th October 1970 Canonisation of the 40 English Martyrs in Rome. The group of Parishioners departed on a Pilgrimage to Rome and attended the Ceremony.

1972 a new teaching block was built at the school.

1975 was the first priestly vocation from English Martyrs Parish. Fr.Thomas Hewitt said his first Mass in the Church.

1977 saw the founding of the Hillmorton Ecumenical Group for those who wished to work and pray together.

1978 the Parish celebrated Fr. Joppe's Silver Jubilee of priesthood.

1979 Ted Kavanagh, Sacristan and M.C., and Miss Agnes Phillips, Sacristan, received the Bene Merenti Medal for long service to the Church.

In May 1980 in Liverpool took place the National Pastoral Congress. The Parish was able to send a delegate along with others from the other Rugby Parishes.
Plans were drawn up to partition off the north end of the Church to create a Chruch Hall by adding a kitchen and toilet block. The Church itself was altered by the addition of a new Sanctuary on the East side and removing the altar from the South side. During 1981 Mass was celebrated in the School Hall at weekends while alterations continued in the Church.

On the 17th March 1982 the altar stone was cemented into the High Altar.
The altar stone contains the relics of St.Boniface and St.Pius, Martyrs. Boniface was originally from Crediton, Devon. He became a Benedictine and eventually Archbishop of Mainz, and is know as the Apostle of Germany.

On the 30th May 1982 the visit of Pope John Paul II in Coventry on the Feast of Pentecost. The Parish was represented by 14 members, who manned a 'corral' and acted as 'umbrella' guides for the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. The children of English Martyrs' School took part in pageant, wich told the story of how Christianity came to England in the 6thcentury and the subsequent history of the Catholic Church in these islands. They performed a piece that told the story of Pope Gregory sending St.Augustine to England to convert the pagan Saxons in Kent.

Opening of the Archdiocesan Adult Education Centre at Maryvale.
1981 four members of the Parish were commisioned there as Special Ministers of Holy Communion.
1983 many of the Readers of the Word attended the training course there.
1985 Sixteen members of the Parish completed the three-year correspondence and discussion course in Adult Religious Education.

On 23rd June 1985 the Hillmorton parishes put on a joint production of a Mystery Play “Midsummer John”, it was taged on the village green outside English Martyrs church, to celebrate the feast of St.John the Baptist. The project started from a chance remark by the Rev. R. Staunton of the St.John the Baptist Anglican parish in Hillmorton; he doubted whether many in Hillmorton knew anything about St.John the Baptist.
It was outstanding success, and was taged again in English Martyrs' church in November 1985 and for the Rugby and District Christian Council's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Harris School in June 1987.

1986 Re-organising the Parish Council to lighten the burden on the Parish Priest.

In December 1986 Fr.Joppe's retirement and despite of the written letter of the committee of Parishioners, chaired by Fr.Joppe, to Dean of Rugby, requesting to remain the diocesan parish, the Rosminian Order at St.Marie's Rugby took responsibility for the administration of the parish.

1987 Fr. Michael Hare was appointed Priest-in-Charge.
The Presbytery was altered to accommodate three sisters of the Congregation of Mary, Mother of Church, who had recently established their Order at Monks Kirby Convent.
There was a daily Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for one hour when the sisters have been in English Martyrs.

1988 Fr. Brian Cuddihy became Parish Priest.

1989 a new gas heating system was installed in the Church.
1990 the South and East walls of the Church were re-built in brick and steel, and the Sacristy was enlarged and a Priest/Confessional room was added.
1991 after the Church building was completed, a new P.A.System and loop for the deaf was installed. The Church was carpented all over for the first time.

On the 24th November 1991 a healing service, organised by the Ecumenical group, took place in St.George's Anglican church. It was led by the Redemptorist, Fr. Jerry Curtin. It was attended by 300 people.

Fr. Hare left the Parish of St.Marie's and Fr. Bill Jackson was appointed Priest-in-Charge.

1993 The Rosminian Order formally resigned from the administration of English Martyrs Parish. The sisters of the Congregation of Mary, Mother of the Church vacated the presbytery and returned to St.Joseph's Convent, Monks Kirby. Fr. David Goodwin was appointed Parish Priest. He served nine months.

In Eastertide of 1994 Fr. Graham Wilkinson became the Parish Priest and served the Parishes of Monks Kirby and English Martyrs as well as continuing his work with the Permanent Diaconate Programme. During his tenure, Mr. and Mrs. Pedley were awarded the Bene Merenti Medal for their stalwart work in the parish. For his work in the Permanent Diaconate Programme, Fr.Graham was made a Monsignor.

In Eastertide of 1997 Fr. Malcolm Glaze took up his new post in English Martyrs and Monks Kirby Parishes.
On the Feast of St.James the Apostle Fr.Malcolm was inducted by Canon William Roughan, Dean of Rugby.

Since then the P.A. and deaf aid loop systems has been upgraded, the organ has been refurbished, new hymn books bought. The hall has had storage cupboards fitted, the kitchen has had double glazing windows and door fitted, the overgrown garden has been reclaimed. The Presbytery has been double glazed throughout, a small office has been created and there has been some redecoration. Due to the generosity of Mr. Bernard Moore a new set of vestments were purchased.

In May 2001 Fr. Glaze and Mr. David Bradford took part at the sponsored trek in the Morocco Atlas Mountains that was organised as a part of the fundraising event to secure the building of a Day Hospice in the grounds of St.Cross Hospital. The Hospice has since been completed and is serving the people of Rugby.

2002 Fr. Glaze was on another Trek/Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, to raise funds for the Diocesan Youth Centre at Alton Castle. Once again parishioners were very generous. After walking 70 miles over 5 days the group arrived in Santiago. Mass was celebrated at the tomb of St.James the Apostle. Given that Fr. Glaze was Inducted as a Parish Priest of English Martyrs' on the Feast of St.James the Apostle, 25th July 1997, it seemed especially appropriate. A silver 'shell' was brought back for use at Baptisms in the parish, reminding us that we are a 'pilgrim people'.

In September 2002 Fr. Glaze was off again, this time in aid of the Depaul Trust, and again parishioners were extremely generous. The Trek was from Toledo to Avila, central Spain. After 3 days rain and walking through a beautiful national park it was truly 'the best of times and the worst of times', the opening line of Dickens' novel 'A Tale of Two Cities'. A day of rest was spent in Avila, a time to remember the two great Spanish mystics in the history of the Church, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross. Reminding us that it is through communion with God that communion with each other and creation as a whole is achieved.

The years 2002 and 2003 saw the deaths of a number of stalwart parishioners. We can mention Mr. Bernard Moore, Mrs. Carmen John, Mr. Peter Kellet, Mrs. Antonia Joppe and Mrs. Grace Heskett. We are grateful for all that they contributed to the life of our parish in different ways and indeed all our deceased parishioners and benefactors. Mrs. Carmen John and Mrs. Antonia Joppe in particular have left very generous legacies to the parish, for which we are very grateful and will have Memorial Masses said for them. The legacies have put the parish in a relatively strong financial position, enabling us to plan with confidence the necessary renovations and developments of our church and hall.

In May 2004 Fr. Glaze and a group of parishioners joined with the group from St.Joseph's, Monks Kirby and some from St.Marie's, on a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi. The highlight in Rome was the Papal Audience, with the Papal catechesis on the psalms. Psalm 29 was the subject of the reflections, reminding us that life overcomes death. In Assisi the highlights were the Portiuncula, the church St.Francis built with his first companions, and the time spent in prayer before the Cross that Francis prayed before when he received the command - 'build My church'.
2013 Fr. Glaze retired after 16 years of a fantastic work in parish.

In October 2013 Fr.Christopher Fitzpatrick was appointed Parish Priest.
He made the necessary renovations in the church and took care of a new painting on the Altar wall that was made in his serving time. That was his idea the church should have English Martyrs seen in the church so that they could remind every person who would enter into English Marytrs Parish. Fr. Christy supported the pilgrimages of parishioners to Our Lady of Walsingham, especially the first one. In 2015 Fr. Christy has been called by Archbishop to serve in Solihull.

In September 2015 Fr. Gerard Murray was appointed the Parish Priest in English Martyrs and Sacred Heart Parishes with Assistant Priest Fr.Matthew Pittam.

It is contemplating the face of Christ, a crucified yet glorius face, and witnessing to His love in the world, that as parish we can joyfully accept Pope John Paul's pressing inivitation at the beginning of the Third Millenium, repeating that of Jesus to Simon Peter to 'cast our into the deep' (Luke 5:4)''