Who Was Blessed Thomas Holford?

Our college is proudly named after Blessed Thomas Holford, a local hero of faith and courage. He was born right here in Cheshire in 1541 and started his career as a Protestant schoolteacher. But later, he chose to become a Catholic priest during a time when it was dangerous to do so—Catholics were persecuted under the rule of Queen Elizabeth I. Despite the risk, Thomas stood firm in his beliefs and helped others live their faith. In 1588, he was arrested and martyred in Clerkenwell, London.

Because of his bravery and devotion, the Catholic Church honoured him with the title of "Blessed." Our College Today Located in Altrincham, within the Borough of Trafford, our college was founded by the Diocese of Shrewsbury to serve Catholic families and provide an education rooted in faith, kindness, and hard work. We are proud to welcome students from a number of local parishes, including: St Vincent’s, St Hugh’s, St Margaret Ward, St Joseph’s, Holy Family, All Saints, Our Lady of Lourdes, English Martyrs, St Monica’s, St Hugh of Lincoln, St Ann’s, Our Lady of the Rosary, St Teresa’s and St Alphonsus. Blessed Thomas Holford lived his life with courage, faith, and compassion—values we aim to live by every day at BTHCC.

A Journey of Faith and Identity

Our college crest has changed over time—but its message has always stayed the same: Christ is at the heart of everything we do. The original motto, “Christi Crux Mea Lux” (which means “The Cross of Christ is My Light”), focused on how Jesus' sacrifice guides us through life. It was a powerful reminder that His love and strength shine a light on our path. As the college has grown, so has our vision. Our current motto is: “May God’s Love Be Our Guide.” This new motto still keeps Jesus at the centre, but it goes further. It reminds us that God’s love is always with us—guiding our actions, our choices, and our future. It's about more than just one moment of faith—it's about living every day with love, kindness, and purpose. The crest you see today still includes symbols from our original design but adds new elements that show our Catholic identity, our commitment to Christ, and our belief in a hopeful future led by God’s love.

The Monstrance – A Sign That Christ Is With Us Have you noticed the beautiful symbol in our school crest? It’s called a monstrance—and it has a powerful meaning. In Catholic tradition, a monstrance is a sacred vessel used to hold and display the Eucharist—the consecrated host—during special times of prayer, like Adoration and Benediction. It represents the Real Presence of Jesus among us. The word “monstrance” comes from the Latin word monstrare, which means “to show” or “to display.” It’s all about showing the world that Christ is truly here. At Blessed Thomas Holford, the monstrance in our crest reminds us of something really important: Jesus is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission, our kindness, our learning, our community—it all starts with Christ at the centre.

The Cross at the Centre – Faith Comes First Look closely at our college badge and you’ll see something really important: A cross right in the middle of the letters “BTH”. That’s not just a design choice—it’s a powerful message. It shows that Jesus is at the centre of everything we do here at Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College. This central cross reminds us that our faith isn’t something separate from school life—it’s part of who we are as a community. From our lessons to our friendships, from how we speak to how we act, we follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. It’s a daily reminder that we’re not just here to learn—we’re here to grow in faith, kindness, and purpose.

The Rainbow – A Sign of Promise and Unity You might have noticed the rainbow colours in our college crest—this beautiful feature isn’t just for decoration. It has a deep meaning. In the Bible, the rainbow first appears in the story of Noah. After the flood, God placed a rainbow in the sky as a promise—a sign of His faithfulness, love, and everlasting covenant with humanity. By adding the rainbow to our crest, we’re reminded of God’s promise to always be with us. It reflects our own promise too: To build a school community that is faithful, united, and full of hope. The rainbow also stands for diversity and togetherness.

Here at BTHCC, we celebrate the unique gifts God has given to each person. We may all be different—but we are one family, joined together in faith, kindness, and purpose. Along with the monstrance and central cross, the rainbow helps tell the story of who we are: A college that is guided by God’s love, centred on Christ, and committed to one another.