On the 21st December 1901 [**Birt: 19 Dec], died at Maryport and two days after was buried at Crosscanonby, the Rev. Matthew Gregory Brierley, O.S.B. Though the present notice aims to be no more than a mere outline of his life and labours, yet the facts we are enabled to give prove abundantly that Fr. Brierley held an honourable place among missionary labourers, and did his share in the work of saving souls and of reclaiming his country to its ancient Faith. He was born at Brindle on the 22nd of February, 1831. At the age of twelve, in 1843, he came to Ampleforth, and after the usual course of studies, at the age of nineteen, in 1850, received the habit from the hands of Prior Cooper. He was solemnly professed the following year, 1851, on the 9th of November. After six years of study and teaching and preparation for missionary labour, he was ordained priest, on June 6th, 1857. Shortly afterwards he left Ampleforth to take charge of St. Mary's, Woolton, from which mission he was transferred, in 1862, to St. Anne's, Liverpool, where with his fellow-priests he worked for some years with all the devotion required in a large and populous district. The scene of his great labours, however, was destined to be on the west coast of Cumberland. In 1868, he was appointed to the mission of Cleator.
At that time there was no accommodation for school or Divine worship sufficiently suitable for a rapidly-growing population. Father Brierley determined that there should be both, and before long a fine church and schools were erected, the fruit of the energy and zeal of the new pastor. The general population of the town and district of Cleator, has reason as well to cherish gratefully the memory of the energetic priest, for it was mainly through his efforts that Ennerdale Lake was made to supply both from the abundance of its beautiful waters. During his stay at Cleator Fr. Brierley's zeal led him to found the two missions of Egremont and Frizington, and before he left West Cumberland he had the satisfaction of seeing both places on a footing of independence. In 1875, he himself had the honour of being the first resident priest at Frizington, as well as of promoting the existence of its first Local Board and sitting as its first chairman.
This was not the first time Fr. Brierley had taken his share in public matters, for at Cleator he had been placed on the Board of Guardians, and had shown himself one of its most useful and energetic members. Nor must we omit to record that he knew how, on many occasions, to meet and repel attacks upon the religion he so strenuously worked for, made by some who witnessed his zeal and were angered by the success it so justly merited. From West Cumberland Fr. Brierley removed to Goosnargh in 1879, and there again he had the satisfaction of obtaining many religious privileges for the Catholic inmates of the Asylum of which he was in charge. In 1896, he was placed at St. Alban's, Warrington, whence, two years later, failing health compelled him to retire. The last three years of his long and arduous life were passed quietly at Maryport, where, as we have said, he died, not far from the chief scene of his Apostolic labours. The last funeral honours were paid to his remains by the Abbot of Ampleforth (who sang the Mass) and many of the neighbouring clergy, secular and regular, and, amid the sorrow of the people of Maryport, who had learned both to respect and love him, Fr. Brierley was laid to rest on the 23rd of December, 1901, in the cemetery at Crosscanonby. - Requiescat in pace .
Matthew Gregory BRIERLEY 19 Dec 1901 1831 22 Feb born at Walton-le-Dale Lancashire educ at Ampleforth 1850 28 Oct Clothed 1851 9 Nov Professed 1857 6 Jun Priest 1858 Woolton 1862 St Anne's Liverpool 1868 Cleator 1875 Frizington 1879 Goosnargh 1894 Ampleforth 1896 Dowlais 1896 St Alban's Warrington 1897 Maryport 1901 19 Dec died Author of Memoirs of Mary Cannon