Br Christopher Barton MHM

On Sunday, 5 August 2007 Bro Christopher Barton becomes the longest surviving member of the St. Joseph's Missionary Society when he celebrates his 100th birthday.

Henry (Christopher) Barton was born at Appley Bridge, Wigan, Liverpool on 5 August 1907, the son of Henry Barton, a quarryman, who had one other son and six daughters. 

From 1921 to 1931 he worked in the West Lancashire Linoleum Factory at Applybridge in the lino printing department.  At a later stage he became a temporary postman.

He entered St, Peter’s College in Freshfield as a trainee brother on 1 October 1932 and was transferred to the ‘Old Vrijland’ in the Netherlands for his novitiate in April 1933.  He took his Temporary Oath there on 8 May 1935. He was appointment to St. Peter’s College, Freshfield in the autumn of 1936 and later on in 1938, he moved on to Herbert House.

At Herbert House, he was involved in the APF-Mill Hill organising work, especially in packing and despatching the magazines and getting the newsletter printed.  He was also involved in the maintenance of the building, especially caring for the central heating and did some painting work and looked after the gardens. 

He took his Perpetual Oath to the Society on 9 May 1940 at Mill Hill, London.  Br. Chris never actually found an opportunity to work in the missions and though he was offered the opportunity to travel to visit a mission area in 1977, he declined the offer.

After 43 years working for APF-Mill Hill organising work, Br. Chris retired at the end of October 1981 at the age of 74 because of illness and old age.  The Superior General, Noel Hanrahan at that time wrote on 31 July 1981: A whole lifetime at the same kind of work, seeing so many organising secretaries and organisers do their term and then hand on to their successors.  Your dedication, your accuracy, your cheerfulness no matter what, were admired by everyone.  No one had any worries while you were there: the job would be done and done perfectly.  I cannot really express how grateful we feel to you, Chris.  You may not have had the privilege of serving in the missions but I am absolutely sure that in the eyes of the Lord you did as much for the salvation of souls as the most devoted missionary in the filed and you will be rewarded accordingly.

Br. Chris spent his retirement days at Herbert House walking and trimming hedges.