St Mary's Church, Mulberry Street
St Mary's on Mulberry Street is a Grade II* listed Catholic church tucked between office blocks off Deansgate in Manchester city centre. Founded in 1794 and rebuilt in 1848, it is known by its long-standing nickname, The Hidden Gem, and for its richly decorated interior and modern Stations of the Cross.
Photos
Anh Hoang Nguyen
History
St Mary's opened in 1794 as a second Catholic chapel in Manchester. The original building collapsed in 1835, and the present church opened in October 1848, built under the supervision of Matthew Ellison Hadfield. Its nickname dates from 1872, when Bishop Herbert Vaughan remarked that wherever you looked inside, you saw a hidden gem.
Inside
The interior is the reason to visit: an ornate Victorian space that comes as a surprise after the plain lanes outside. Look out for the Stations of the Cross painted by Norman Adams in 1994, an expressionist set that contrasts sharply with the 19th-century decoration around them. Take a few minutes to look closely at the altar and side chapels before moving on to the Stations.
Visiting
It remains a working parish church, so visit respectfully and avoid service times unless you're attending. It's a few minutes' walk from Albert Square and the Town Hall, making it an easy detour on a city-centre walk. For lunch nearby, Vincenzo Trattoria and Albert's Schloss are around the corner. Combine it with nearby Manchester Town Hall, John Rylands Research Institute and Library on Deansgate, or a coffee on King Street for an hour of historic Manchester.
Highlights
- Grade II* listed
- Founded 1794, current church opened 1848
- Nicknamed The Hidden Gem since 1872
- Norman Adams Stations of the Cross (1994)
Good to know
- Active Catholic church; check service times before visiting.
- Free to enter.
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · historicengland.org.uk