Directly, it is associated with a period of fierce persecution.  Relatively, it touches those old times when religious houses, with their quaintly-trimmed orders, were in their halcyon days.  After the dissolution, caused by Henry VIII, it was a dangerous thing to profess Catholicism, and in Preston, as in other places, those believing in it had to conduct their services privately, and in out-of-the-way places.  In Ribbleton-lane there is an old barn, still standing, wherein mass used to be said at night-time.  People living in the neighbourhood fancied for a considerable period that this place was haunted; they could see a light in it periodically; they couldn’t account for it; and they concluded that some headless woman or wandering gnome was holding a grim revel in it.  But the fact was, a small band of Catholics debarred from open worship, and forced to secrete themselves during the hours of devotion, were gathered there.

When the storm of persecution had subsided a little, Catholics in various parts of the country gradually, though quietly, got their worship into towns; and, ultimately, we find that in Preston a small thatched building—­situated in Chapel-yard, off Friargate—­was opened for the use of Catholics.  This was in 1605.  The yard, no doubt, took its name from the chapel, which was dedicated to St. Mary.  There was wisdom in the selection of this spot, and appropriateness, too—­it was secluded, near the heart of the town, and very close to the old thoroughfare whose very name was redolent of Catholicity.  Friargate is a word which conveys its own meaning.  An old writer calls it a “fayre, long, and spacious street;” and adds, “upon that side of the town was formerly a large and sumptuous building belonging to the Fryers Minors or Gray Fryers, but now [1682] only reserved for the reforming of vagabonds, sturdy beggars, and petty larcenary thieves, and other people wanting good behaviour; it is now the country prison . . . and it is cal’d the House of Correction.”  This building was approached by Friargate, and was erected for the benefit of begging friars, under the patronage of Edward, Earl of Lancaster, son of Henry III.  The first occupants of it came from Coventry, “to sow,” as we are, told by an ancient document, “the seeds of the divine word, amongst the people residing in the villa of Preston, in Agmounderness, in Lancashire.”

Primarily it was a very fine edifice, was built in the best style of Gothic architecture, and had accomodation for upwards of 500 monks.  Upon its site now stands the foundry of Mr. Stevenson, adjoining Lower Pitt-street.  The Catholics of Preston satisfied themselves with the small building in Chapel-yard until 1761, when a new place of worship, dedicated to St. Mary, was erected upon part of the site of the convent of Grey Friars.  Towards this chapel the Duke of Norfolk gave a handsome sum, and presented, for the altar, a curious painting of the Lord’s Supper.  But this building did not enjoy a very prosperous