 Crowe OMI, the first priest of the mission, raised funds for acquiring a site for the church.It was also named the 'Famine Church' because it was built during the recovery of the Irish population from the Great Irish Famine and was seen by the survivors as a sign of hope after the period of mass starvation.On 24 May 1853, the foundation stone of the church was laid by the Bishop of Beverley, John Briggs.