In August 1849 the Oblates were entrusted with a mission on the Eastern margin of Manchester, about four miles from the city centre along the Oldham Road, by Bishop Walsh, the Vicar Apostolic of the Central District. It was their first mission in an urban centre and seemed set to be at the heart of their developing English mission. In the event, the Oblates surrendered it in 1852 to the Bishop of the newly formed Diocese of Salford Bishop William Turner. Fr. Daly, who then became a diocesan priest, was left in charge. During the short Oblate tenure Fr. Casimir Aubert was superior of the community, succeeded by Fr. Daly when Fr. Casimir was recalled to France in 1851. The community included Frs. Noble, Peter Grey and Samuel Walsh, but Frs. Noble and Walsh were transferred to the new mission in Liverpool in 1850. The Founder visited this mission in the course of his 1850 visit to England but is silent about it in his Act of Visitation. During his visit the Founder laid the first stone for a church, but this project was not brought to completion.

Michael Hughes, o.m.i.