Re-Greening the Monastery: A Community Gardening Project Rooted in Heritage
In the shadow of The Monastery’s soaring stone arches and sacred silence, something vibrant is stirring in the soil. Over the past few months, our Green Team, Men’s Shed, and volunteer gardeners have been quietly (and sometimes not so quietly!) transforming our outdoor spaces into lush, productive, and joy-filled gardens. What began as a simple […]
Securing the Future: Heritage Funding to Celebrate 30 Years of The Monastery
£249,650 Grant Awarded to the Monastery 26/07/2025 There’s a deep stillness to summer at the Monastery – the kind that allows for both reflection and quiet celebration. This year, that stillness carries something new: a sense of joyful momentum. We’re delighted to share that The Monastery has been awarded a transformational £249,650 grant from The […]
The High Altar of Gorton Monastery (Church of St Francis, Manchester)
Design and Original Construction (1860s–1885) The former Church of St Francis (Gorton Monastery) is a High Victorian Gothic masterpiece designed by Edward Welby Pugin in the 1860s. The church’s crowning feature is its high altar and towering reredos at the north end of the nave, which became the focal point of the interior. Notably, the […]
Gorton Monastery’s Senior Tour Guide, Grahame Birtles, Shortlisted for the Heritage Hero Awards
The Monastery is proud to announce that long-standing volunteer and Senior Tour Guide, Grahame Birtles, has been shortlisted for the Heritage Hero Awards—a prestigious recognition of individuals who go above and beyond to protect and promote the UK’s heritage. A Passionate Storyteller and Dedicated Volunteer As a key figure in Gorton Monastery’s visitor experience, Grahame […]
A Female Leaders Interview | Monastery CEO, Elaine Griffiths, OBEÂ
This female leaders interview with Monastery CEO, Elaine Griffiths, OBE was originally published by Dr. Caroline Paige on her website, Content Conscious. The interview is republished here in its entirety with kind permission. To read the original, please click here. The project is constantly challenging and often takes us to the wire. But remarkably, at […]
Photo Exhibition: Monastery Dereliction, Art, Carvings & Light
A 3-minute read The Monastery is delighted to present a photo exhibition by Graham North, in the Great Nave. It’s a remarkable collection, spanning many years of Monastery history, all documented painstakingly by Graham. Many photos have been metamorphosed into intricate geometric designs using a range of techniques. You can come and browse the photo […]
National Lottery Heritage Fund Grant Awarded to Gorton Monastery
The Monastery of St Francis & Gorton Trust has been awarded a £232,000 Heritage Resilience grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund so that the Trust can continue to develop and deliver its important charitable work in the community. This exciting project, Unlocking the Social & Cultural Capital of the Monastery, will include plans to […]
Help us to restore organ music to the Monastery
An 8-minute read “There’s nothing as soothing to the soul, than the tones of an organ of old. By whispering a prayer with celestial sound, we catch a glimpse of heaven around.” We’re fundraising for the next important chapter in the restoration of our much-loved heritage site. Editor’s update: We have now raised the funds […]
How to upcycle in fabulous 20th-century style: Feed sacks reinvented as wearable fashion
Subject: textile heritage; Victorian Manchester; Manchester history; Manchester heritage; up-cycling; fashion; style. Author | Charlie Walker & Cheryl O’Meara Editor | Dr. Caroline Paige A 2-minute read. The Print Pattern Archive holds an extensive collection of American twentieth-century feed sack fabric – a big hit with quilters and lovers of vintage design. The naïve painterly styles […]
Book Review: Gorton Monastery 1861-1961
Subject: Victorian Manchester; Manchester history; Manchester heritage; Franciscan history. By Father Justin McLoughlin; reviewed by Janet Wallwork, published 1961 (Historical Reprint Series). Gorton Monastery 1861-1961: The story of 100 years of the Friary, Gorton, Father Justin McLoughlin, Monastery Publications (Historical Reprint Series), 46p, £2.99. First published in 1961. ISBN 978-0-95714-841-3 In 1861, a small group […]
TRUST: The Story of Gorton Monastery by Elaine Griffiths OBE
Subject: Victorian Manchester; Manchester architecture; Manchester history; Manchester heritage; well-being; Franciscan history. First edition, hardback, Monastery Publications, 1 December 2021, 176 pages & 304 images. ISBN 978-0-9571484-6-8 A history of the restoration of Manchester Monastery When Elaine Griffiths stepped over crumbling masonry into the derelict nave in 1996, she was overcome with the power of […]
Manchester History & Heritage: A Remembrance Story of Friendship and Ice Cream
The Story of Charles Sellars and Emmanuel Sivori Author | Graham North Editor | Dr. Caroline Paige A young recruit With the onset of the First World War, in July 1914, twenty-two-year-old Charles Sellars enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps. He had a wife, Sarah, and a thirteen-month-old daughter called Phyllis, who was to become my […]
Spooktacular Half-Term Family Activities at Manchester Monastery
FREE Spooktacular Half-Term Family Activities at Manchester Monastery Things are going to get spooooky! Join us for some spooktacular half-term family activities here at the Monastery. When? Activities run from 11am to 4pm over three days – Tuesday 26, Thursday 28, & Sunday 31 October. Full details on the flyer below – please feel free […]
Dementia care Manchester: Music Café at Manchester Monastery is in the news
Looking for dementia care in Manchester? We’re excited to host this new workshop for people living with dementia and their carers. Music Café provides free weekly music-making sessions created and run by the Manchester Camerata orchestra. They’re well-known for innovative collaborations and you could hear them playing dance anthems as well as classical orchestral works. […]
Book Review: The Greyfriars Players 1937-1948
Subject: Manchester history; Manchester heritage; amateur dramatics. By Father Agnellus Andrew; reviewed by Janet Wallwork, published 1948 (Historical Reprint Series). The Greyfriars Players, 1937-1948, Father Agnellus Andrew, Monastery Publications (Historical Reprint Series), 54p, £2.99. First published in 1948. ISBN 978-0-9571484-3-7 This is a book about the Greyfriars Players, written by them, for them and their […]
Review: Print Pattern Archive talk
2-minute read Subject: Things to do in Manchester; Manchester tours; textile history; pattern makers This week, I dropped into Cheryl O’Meara’s talk on her textile archive and spent a delightful hour in a world of pattern. If you’re in a hurry, scroll down for the quick facts. A little bit about the archive The Print […]
Book Review: Assisi to Gorton
A 2-minute read. Subject: Victorian Manchester; Manchester history; Manchester heritage; Franciscan history. By Father Agnellus Andrew; reviewed by Janet Wallwork, published 1938 (Historical Reprint Series). Assisi to Gorton: A brief record of the work of the Franciscans in England, and especially their work in Gorton, 1861-1938, Father Agnellus Andrew, Monastery Publications (Historical Reprint Series), 108p, […]
FREE Storytelling + Den Building Workshop for Kiddies
Manchester’s modern-day Monastery is very excited to present this wonderful 3 x day series of interactive, free storytelling workshops for children and their families by the incredibly talented Round the Twist performing arts collective. And what’s more, as part of our community programme and Belle Vue Week, admission is completely free! For more information about the […]
Belle Vue Week | 5 days of FREE, Family Activities at Manchester Monastery
Whether you love reminiscing or finding out about the fascinating history of Belle Vue for the first time, we invite you to come and enjoy a wonderful week of history and nostalgia here at Manchester’s modern-day Monastery. Manchester History & Heritage Home to a zoological garden, circus, fair, speedway, dancing, boxing, wrestling, fireworks, music, and […]
Stone Carving 2021 | A FREE 2-day Workshop at Manchester Monastery
Ever fancied trying your hand at stone carving? Well, this could be your lucky day! Manchester’s modern-day Monastery is delighted to announce a FREE, 2-day stone carving workshop with Shawn Williamson, Cumbrian-trained stone mason and sculptor. Shawn is a master craftsman who has created some beautiful works of art, such as this one, on the […]