A DEVOTED parishoner who helped to keep a church open to the public has been handed an accolade from an unexpected source.

Father Michael Haworth and the congregation of St Patrick’s Church, in Great Moor Street, surprised Margaret Connelly by presenting her with a Benemerenti medal during mass last Sunday.

The awards come directly from Pope Francis and are in recognition of long service to the community. They are very rare and it has been around 30 years since the last parishoner of St Patrick’s was given the honour.

Mrs Connelly’s medal was a result of her efforts to keep church services available to the public and ensure people can access the building throughout the day

Father Haworth hailed the work of the “fantastic” volunteer and thanked her for her efforts.

He said: “This is a very rare privilege from the Pope but she deserves it.

“She’s a lady who works very hard for the church, who has in many ways, together with a group of others, kept the church safe and open during the day.”

The Dorset Street resident has been a member of the church since she was married there and helps to keep the building clean and maintained.

St Patrick’s is Bolton’s oldest remaining Catholic church, it was designed by architect James Holt and completed in March 1861to serve residents living in the town centre.

In 2003 with congregations across the country dwindling, it was merged with St Edmund’s Church, off Deansgate, and the parish was renamed.