The French Revolution of that year, whilst having immense repercussions for all classes and institutions, brought about a massive shift of power from the Roman Catholic Church to the state, and sent shockwaves around Europe.

[citation needed] The Law of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, passed on 12 July 1790 subordinated the Roman Catholic Church in France to the French government.

The Parish clergy are to take an oath of loyalty to the French state.”The relaxation of the harsh Civil Constitution lead to the reopening of many churches and the vendetta against religion eased.

It was here that he met his great friend and fellow student, Eugéne Cure, who, together with his wife Appollonie, later became Gailhac’s spiritual and financial support in all his charitable projects.

[citation needed] Five years later, on 23 September 1826, Gailhac was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Montpellier by Bishop Nicolas Fournier.

On 12 September 1828, however, at his own request he was appointed as the chaplain of the Civil and Military Hospital in Béziers – one of the lowest paid jobs in the diocese at the time.

The Institute grew rapidly and by the time the original group made their first profession (religious) in May 1851 their number had grown to ten.

[citation needed] Liverpool was never actually a target area for the Institute – it was purely by chance that the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary actually formed a base there.

Kelly had for many months been desperately seeking a religious order to cater for the spiritual and educational needs of the children in his parish.

A translation from the French copy of the letter received by the Reverend Mother from Alexander Goss, the second Bishop of Liverpool, is printed below: Dear Reverend Mother, I am always your devoted servant in J.C. (Signed) John Augustine Fisher Vicar General The institute founded its Liverpool base in Sea View Road, Bootle on 21 June 1872.

He had helped form the International Marine Hydro Company, and with the money from this venture, planned to extend his house and property to create a first class hotel for transatlantic voyagers.

There was little chance of the school outgrowing the new property or seeking more modern facilities and so it was expected that Seafield would remain the Institute’s home in Liverpool for good.

[citation needed] Construction of the building in Crosby began in 1905, with the school starting to give classes even before the work was completed in 1908.

After the Order vacated Seafield House completely in 1908 it remained empty until 1912 when the Lancashire Asylum Board, under the West Derby Union leased it.

Early on the morning of 22 September 1913 a great fire (not the first at the property) destroyed two storeys of the house, resulting in the re-construction of the North Wing.

From this time onwards Seafield House catered for mentally deficient children, its coastal location believed to be of help to its patients.