The Hidden Gem

I thought I knew Manchester pretty well. However, a couple of weeks ago, I saw a sign to "The Hidden Gem" and followed it, to find St Mary's Church.

St. Mary's, The Hidden Gem was founded in 1794 in the centre of what was then the poorest quarter of Manchester. It is now thought to be the oldest post-Reformation Catholic church founded as a church in any major centre of population in England. The Relief act allowing Catholic churches to be built again as churches was passed in 1791. The building of St. Mary's was begun in 1792.

More complete shots of the Church are here and here.