On the reluctance of Fr Jones to accept St Peter's, the Bishop invited Fr Fairfax to become Rector.

Francis Fairfax was born in Staffordshire in 1806 and, after studies at Oscott College, was ordained priest in 1833. His first years in the ministry were in North Staffordshire, first at Leek and then Cheadle. He came to St Peter's in December 1848. He had a great interest in both the schools and property of the parish, and kept the Bishop fully informed about them. In particular, he gave support and encouragement to the Sisters of Mercy as they became established in the new convent in Augusta Place in 1850 (probably at that time just a pathway leading down to the river). Shortly afterwards a small quarry behind the convent was purchased and Fr Fairfax persuaded the sisters to extend their premises and open a school for infants and girls, thus allowing the New St School to become boys only.

Fr Fairfax seems to have been of delicate health and in January 1851 left to convalesce after a throat ailment. There followed a lengthy absence during which a Fr William Penney supplied, Eventually, the Bishop asked him to accept the parish of Hanley Swan in Worcestershire and after some delay he moved there in May. He remained at Hanley until 1854 and was then appointed to Oulton in North Staffordshire. He retired in 1892, and died in 1898. He was buried in Oulton.

Despite early ill health he remains the longest-lived of all the Rectors of St Peter's, dying at the ripe old age of 92.

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