The Monastery

Following the various Emancipation Acts which allowed Roman Catholics to openly worship, the church of St Francis of Assisi and its associated Franciscan friary (the first priests coming from Belgium) opened in 1872. The surrounding densely packed terraces of housing in Gorton housed a large population of Irish immigrants, the core of the church’s congregation. Following the Second World War extensive slum clearance meant that the congregation greatly reduced and the church closed in 1989. It then fell into disrepair and ruin, with various redevelopment plans falling by the wayside. A housing developer even removed the internal statues of the saints, which Sotheby’s attempted to sell as garden ornaments.

Long story short, a couple with real drive formed a Trust to regenerate the building as an asset at the heart of the community. Lots of ups and downs to get to now, It’s hugely impressive and now branded as The Monastery Manchester.

I was there today to have lunch in the café, before a concert by members of Manchester Camerata (who are now based here). Anna Meredith’s Two Movements for Trumpet and String Quartet; Britten’s Phantasy Quartet; and Copland’s Appalachian Spring, this an interpretation in collaboration with dance company Company Chameleon. I really enjoyed it, it’s a great space, I’ll visit again,

Extra - an internal view when I first entered the nave. The saints were rescued from Sotheby’s, the city council bought them and put them in a shipping container. They are now restored.

Summer solstice in three days time. I was talking to a friend who often goes to Alderley Edge on the Solstice to watch the sun rise. Last year it was him, a couple camping from Birmingham, and a bunch of druids. Looks like it’ll be a sunny one this year.