On the death of Fr MacDonnell it appears that Bishop Walsh once again looked to Ireland for a pastor to the Leamington Mission.

William Cunningham took up his appointment in 1839 and soon became one of the best fund-raisers the mission has ever had. he must have already known some of the most influential priests in the district including Dr Ullathorne, Dr Weedall, and Fr George Spencer (a distant relative of the late Princess of Wales). All of them, and many others, preached appeals in the mission. Fr Spencer spoke most eloquently of the achievements made so far, the virtues (and worries) of its pastor and the need for future development. As a result of these appeals a new presbytery was built next to the church (the present Doctors' Surgery) which Fr Cunningham then advertised as a pleasant guest house for Catholic visitors who wished to take the Spa waters. At the same time the debt on the church was finally paid off, so that in February 1841 it was solemnly consecrated by Bishop Walsh (Dr Nicholas Wiseman, later to become first Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, preached the sermon). The influence of the mission, and the tolerant social life of the town was shown by the large number of leading non-Catholics in the area who were present. The mission appeals continued right up to Fr Cunningham's departure, so that his successor was to find a strong mission, out of debt, and ready to expand.

Despite his years in Leamington, little is known of the personal life and background of William Cunningham. He is not listed in the official list of clergy in England and Wales for the period, nor is there a recorded obituary. Unfortunately, as though to cover up his own tracks, Fr Cunningham deposited all the parish registers with the Public Record Office, and so our own parish records only begin with his successor. He would appear to have been an Irish priest of some considerable importance, who was invited by Bishop Walsh (who had his own Irish connections) to take charge of the Mission, and then returned to his native country.

But whatever were the origins of his priesthood, or its end, the years of his ministry in Leamington certainly bore much fruit.

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