Sources
The following account is drawn from the Annals of the Anglo-Hibernian Province (1849–51 and 1856–58), compiled by Fr. Salvian Nardocci CP, and from the Cross Bulletin, Vol. II (1911–12). Quotations are given verbatim from these sources.
Mr John Smith and the Invitation
The foundation at Sutton originated with a local Catholic benefactor, Mr John Smith of Sutton, near St Helens, Lancashire. The Annals record that early in 1849 he invited the Passionists to inspect a site he had in mind for a church and religious house:
"Early in January Father Ignatius (Spencer) went on the invitation of John Smith esquire to see a spot of ground upon which that worthy man intended to build a church and a house for a community of Passionists."
Mr Smith's original plan for the site was extensive. The Annals describe what he had in mind:
"The intention of Mr Smith was to give about 12 acres of land to the church he intended to build, and on this land to erect not only the church, the priests house, and the school for the children, but also a number of dwelling houses, from the rent of which a permanent income might be raised for the maintenance of the priest who should serve the new mission."
Father Ignatius explained that the Passionists could not accept a permanent income from rented property, but agreed to take the twelve acres of land for garden, pasture, and private walks. He also felt that a site a little further from the thoroughfare would be more suitable for a monastery. Mr Smith readily consented, and it was agreed that Father Dominic himself would come to Sutton to select the spot where the church and monastery should be built.
Source: Annals of the Anglo-Hibernian Province, 1849–51
Father Dominic Selects the Site
Father Dominic came to Sutton and walked over a considerable extent of ground with Mr Smith, who invited him to make his own choice of a site. He had already settled on the spot before Father Ignatius arrived to join them. The Annals record what followed:
"Father Dominic had selected that very spot whereon Saint Helen's Retreat now stands when Father Ignatius arrived. He hesitated a little before giving his consent and it was only when Father Dominic said emphatically: 'the house that is to be built here will be the largest and best we shall have in England' that he (Father Ignatius) fully agreed. That prophecy is noted in a diary Father Ignatius kept at the time and he wondered afterwards how the church and monastery that arose on that dreary spot verified it to the letter."
Source: Annals of the Anglo-Hibernian Province, 1849–51
The Foundation Stone, 30 August 1849
Father Dominic did not live to see the work begun. He died suddenly on 27 August 1849, just days before the ceremony he had arranged with Mr Smith, at which he himself was to have laid the foundation stone with great solemnity. Three days after his death, on 30 August 1849, the ceremony went ahead — but in very different circumstances:
"On this day the foundation stone of the new church at Sutton, near Saint Helens, was laid by Father Gaudentius. According to the arrangement between Mr Smith and Father Dominic the blessing and laying of the first stone of this church had to be performed with great solemnity and pomp by Father Dominic himself, but in consequence of his death it was performed very privately and without inviting the people in respect to the deceased saintly Father."
Source: Annals of the Anglo-Hibernian Province, 1849–51. The date 30 August 1849 is confirmed at a separate entry in the same document: "It took place on 30 August 1849, a few days after Father Dominic's sudden death."
Taking Possession, November 1850
The building of the church and house proceeded steadily over the following year. Mr Smith was anxious to have a priest to attend the small Catholic congregation of around forty souls in the district, and approached the Visitor General, Father Eugene, who sent Father Honorius Maggini to be the first Superior of the new house. On 23 November 1850, Father Honorius arrived at Sutton accompanied by Father Ignatius. The Annals give the date of formal possession precisely:
"The proper date of taking possession of Saint Anne's Retreat, may be put down as taking formal possession on this 23 November 1850."
While the monastery was being completed, Father Honorius stayed in the house of Mr and Mrs Smith, who received him as one of the family. During this time he went about the district to find out all the Catholics of the place and to learn how they were instructed in their religion.
Source: Annals of the Anglo-Hibernian Province, 1849–51
The Church of St Anne
The church and house at Sutton were built entirely by Mr John Smith. After his death, in accordance with the advice Father Dominic had given him, he transferred the property to five Legatees for the benefit of the Passionist community. The Annals record:
"The church is dedicated to saint Anne, and together with the house, was built by John Smith esq., who in pursuance of the deceased Father Dominic advice transfered the property to five Legatees, including the Bishop of the diocese."
The same passage of the Annals records the final resting place of the two men most associated with the foundation — and of a third who had been present from the beginning:
"The bodies of these two great friends, as well as that of Father Ignatius (Spencer) rest now, near each other, in the crypt under the church of Saint Anne's, Sutton."
Source: Annals of the Anglo-Hibernian Province, 1849–51
The Schools at Peasley Cross
By the mid-1850s the Passionists at Sutton were extending their work beyond the retreat and the local congregation. The parish had grown to take in the district of Peasley Cross, some distance from Sutton itself, and the community built schools there to serve the Catholic children of the area. The Annals for 1857 record:
"In the course of this year were built and opened the spacious schools in Peasley Cross, near Saint Helen's, Lancashire, by our own fathers of Saint Anne's, Sutton."
The same entry notes that the girls at Peasley Cross were taught by the Sisters of the Holy Family, who subsequently took the name of Sisters of the Cross and Passion.
Source: Annals of the Anglo-Hibernian Province, 1856–58
The Diamond Jubilee Bazaar
By 1911 the Sutton community had outgrown its original buildings. A Diamond Jubilee Bazaar was organised to raise funds for a new monastery, and the Cross Bulletin (Vol. II, 1911–12) reported on its success: the bazaar was held over five days from 10 May in the Town Hall, St Helens, and the bulletin described itself as glad to be able to chronicle its success on behalf of the new monastery at Sutton.
Source: Cross Bulletin, Vol. II (1911–12). Note: the OCR of this document is severely fragmented and the passage cannot be given verbatim.