St Mary's RC Church — Attraction in Manchester

The Hidden Gem, officially St Mary's Catholic Church, is a church on Mulberry Street, Manchester, England. The parish dates back to 1794, with devotion to St Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption, however the church was rebuilt in 1848.

Externally, the Hidden Gem is built of plain red brick, with an ornate bell tower, stone-dressed church windows, and an entrance marked out with a fine stone doorway, which is finely carved and depicts two Angelic Hosts bearing a medallion of Agnus Dei. A hand above forms the sign of the Ascension of Christ. The inscription is "Ascendamus in montem Domini. Et adoremus in loco Sancto eius" a construction of two bible verses: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord",(Isaiah 2:3) and "Praise Him in His Holy places". (Psalms 150:1)

Internally, there is majestic Victorian carving. The High Altar is made of marble, finely carved and life size images of Our Lady, St Stephen, St Patrick, St Peter, St John, St Hilda, St Augustine and St Joseph. Central to this above the tabernacle is Christ bearing the Sacred Heart. The Stations of the Cross were painted in 1994 by artist Norman Adams and are in a striking expressionist style.

The first permanent Catholic Mass Centre to be opened in Manchester following the Reformation was dedicated to St Chad, the Rook Street chapel which opened in 1774 serviced about 600 people coming from as far away as Bolton, Glossop and Macclesfield. In the following years, with the advent of the Industrial Revolution, Catholic families from Ireland were attracted to the cotton industry in Manchester. This chapel remained in use until it was destroyed by fire in 1846. St Chad's then moved to its own purpose built church in Cheetham Hill.

In the mid 1790s, the rector of St Chad's, Father Rowland Broomhead decided to set-up a second chapel in Manchester, he purchased a plot of land near Deansgate and quickly set about the task of building a new church, which opened 30 November 1794, dedicated to St Mary. Contrary to popular local myth, St Mary's was never built in secret or to be hidden, in fact the opening was announced in the local newspapers and Mulberry Street in the 1790s was a busy residential and commercial thoroughfare opening out onto Deansgate.

In 1833, the rector of the Hidden Gem, Father Henry Gillow, decided that the building was looking tired. He enlisted the help of some of the congregation to have the church re-roofed and re-decorated. It was to be tremendous folly not to have had the work overseen by a master builder.

At lunchtime on 8 August 1835, a strange breaking sound could be heard. On looking up people were alarmed to see a crack forming in the dome above the altar. The church was locked up and at 11 pm the whole dome and part of the roof collapsed, damaging much of the interior of the church. Services were moved to Lloyd Street, and the search started for a new site for the church.

Father Gillow died in the Manchester typhus epidemic of 1837. Any plans for a new site were put on hold, and the decision was taken to rebuild St Mary's on the existing site. Two architects were consulted, Richard Lane,citation needed] the architect of Salford Town Hall and the Friends Meeting House, and Augustus Pugin. Richard Lane's design was chosen at a cost of £265 17s 0d.[citation needed. The architect chosen to oversee the work was Matthew Ellison Hadfield, who later went on to build Salford Cathedral and the new St Chad's Church in Cheetham Hill. St Mary's Church was entirely demolished and the new St Mary's was formally opened in October 1848. The church's design is a blend of Norman, Gothic and Byzantine detail; Pugin himself said that the building "shows to what depth of error even good men fall, when they go whoring after...

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church is a historic church located in Manchester, England. Situated in the city center, St. Mary's is known for its beautiful architecture and significant role in the local Catholic community.

The church's history dates back to the 18th century when it was originally established to serve the needs of Manchester's growing Catholic population. Over the years, the church has undergone various renovations and expansions, with its current building dating primarily from the mid-19th century.

St. Mary's is characterized by its impressive Gothic Revival architecture, featuring ornate stained glass windows, intricate stone carvings, and a soaring spire. The interior is equally stunning, with high vaulted ceilings, marble altars, and detailed woodwork.

In addition to its religious services, St. Mary's is also known for its community outreach programs, educational initiatives, and cultural events. The church plays an active role in supporting the local community and fostering a sense of fellowship among parishioners.

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church holds a special place in the hearts of Manchester residents and visitors alike, serving as both a place of worship and a symbol of the city's rich...

"The Hidden Gem" is an apt title for this stunning treasure in the heart of Manchester. As you come in, you are immediately struck by a gorgeous reredos in front of you, with plentiful images of the Saviour, his Mother, and numerous Saints.

I attended here for a Saturday Vigil Mass, and was immediately struck by the reverence and beauty of the place. The sense of holiness and awe was made all the greater with all assembled kneeling in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament before the Mass began.

It was a simple Mass with hymns, and well attended, though with no servers, and said (as is the custom under the current rules from Rome) in the Novus Ordo rite, and whilst the setting is crying out for a Missa Solemnis in the Tridentine (Traditional Latin) rite, it was reverent and appropriate.

The organ was very good, though even then, I am sure we did not get to hear the best of...