MIDDLESBOROUGH, Diocese of. - A city and diocese in the province of Liverpool. The diocese was created by Leo XIII on 20 Dec. 1878, by dividing the former diocese of Beverley; Leeds (v.). It comprises the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire, including the city of York to the north of the River Ouse. Of a population of 1,012,857 (1931 census), 95,118 are Catholics, distributed in 71 parishes, served by 141 secular and 87 regular priests; one seminary; 12 male and 24 female religious communities; in 1948 there were 325 conversions. Patrons of the diocese: Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, St Wilfrid and St John of Beverley.
The first mention of M. occurs in 1130, when Robert de Brus of Skelton Castle granted the small church with the priory of St Hilda to Whitby Abbey. In 1801 only four farmhouses remained at M.; in 1831 there were 154 inhabitants; in 1841, 5,709; in 1901, 91,302. In 1853 M. became a borough. Besides the railway (1830) and the docks (1842), the discovery of iron in the vicinity (1851) brought about this remarkable growth.
Before the so-called Reformation, M. formed part of the archdiocese of York. Within its boundaries, besides York Minster, are many ancient churches, the ruins of Whitby and St Mary’s Abbey, York, Rievaulx, Bridlington and others. In 1848 Mass was said in a private room; shortly afterwards a small chapel was opened, followed in August 1878 by the large church of St Mary’s, which became the cathedral in December. At first, Mgr Cornthwaite, first bishop of Leeds, administered M.; then Richard Lacey was consecrated bishop in December 1878; he died in 1929 and was succeeded by Mgr Thomas Shine. In 1946 Mgr George Brunner was consecrated auxiliary bishop. At Ampleforth stands the great Benedictine abbey of St Laurence, with its renowned school.
In the territory of M. were born St John of Bridlington, St William of York, St John Fisher, illustrious martyr; St Hilda, St Everilda and the Blesseds Thomas Percy (1572), Margaret Clitheroe (1586) and Percy (1572), Nicholas Postgate (1679) and other martyrs.