News & Saints Appeal

See the heritage restoration of the former church and friary. Soak up the atmosphere of Pugin’s architectural masterpiece. Walk the cloisters and enjoy the friary gardens. Delicious refreshments, home baked cakes and cream teas available all afternoon in the Friars Pantry. Enjoy family activities, inspirational talks and concerts. Everyone Welcome.

Entry is free, except on 'Spiritual Sundays' (see listing below).

* We are open to the public most Sundays from 12:00 until 4:00pm, unless a special event is taking place in the main space (see below).

• 19 Feb - Wedding Fayre open to the public but not the usual Open Sunday format
• 18 March – Mothers Day Lunches (open but not usual Open Sunday)
• 15 April – BSSK (weekend £4.50 per person per day)
• 3 June – CLOSED for private function
• 15 July – St Georges Singers Jubilee Celebration Concert 2.30pm, Adults £15, Concessions £12, Student/child £5
• 16 Sept – Champion Brass 2pm Tickets £20
• 7 October – BSSK (weekend £4.50 per person per day)
• 11 November – Remembrance Sunday 2pm concert (details TBA)
• 16 December – Gorton Philharmonic Christmas Carol Concert 2pm (details TBA).
  

One Sunday a month dedicated to Spiritual activities. Inspirational speakers, music and dance workshops, healing, massage, meditation, yoga and walking the labyrinth. Usually on the first Sunday of each month.

Cost: Adults £10, Concessions £8, Children Free

For more information go to the Spiritual Sundays and MBS Events section.

The 12 original statues of the Franciscan saints were removed from The Monastery for salvage. A local historian saw them in the catalogue for a Sotheby's auction. The six-foot tall sandstone figures, some badly damaged, are now awaiting restoration and their final journey will see them return.

Donations can be made by Credit/Debit card, Mobile Phone Text Message or by Post. To donate please click on More Info

15 years ago The Monastery seemed beyond repair. Anyone who saw it in ruins would not have believed that The Trust, set up to rescue and restore the buildings, could possibly succeed. Today the buildings resonate with life again and The Monastery’s majestic beauty impresses and inspires all who enter.

Help to finish what The Trust started in 1996, completing the restoration of The Monastery in its 150th Anniversary year. Please give whatever you can today and join us at one of our fund-raising events to be held this year.

The Saints have come marching back in to the world-famous Gorton Monastery after a 17-year campaign. The 12 six-foot tall figures were removed in the early 1990s by a developer looking to turn the building into flats. They were installed when the monastery was built and spent 133 years looking down on the aisles from plinths. But they were spotted on an auction list at Sotheby’s in 1994 by local historian Janet Wallwork. Manchester council stepped in to buy the historic figures for £25,000 after Gorton MP Gerald Kaufman negotiated their withdrawal from the auction.

After a short period on display at Manchester Town Hall, the works have been kept in storage in the city centre ever since. But now the renovated monastery has finally brought them home. Ms Wallwork said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to see them back after all this time.”

The statues, which are of the 12 Franciscan saints, will be on public show on special viewing days in the coming months as bosses raise funds to have the statues renovated and
reinstalled on 30ft high plinths in the monastery. The ‘Save a Saint’ appeal to raise the necessary £150,000 marks the monastery's 150th anniversary celebrations.

Monastery chief executive Elaine Griffiths said: “They're part of the fabric not only of the Monastery but of the community as well and this is truly a historic day.”

The Saints are marching back in to a Manchester monastery after a successful 16-year fight for their return. The 12, six-foot tall statues were being reinstalled at Gorton Monastery today, having been removed in the early 1990s by a developer who wanted to turn the building into flats.

In 1994, the statues mysteriously appeared in an auction at Sotheby's, sparking an investigation into their ownership and how they had appeared on the open market. Manchester council stepped in to purchase the statues for £25,000 after Gorton MP Gerald Kaufman negotiated their withdrawal from the auction. The works have been kept safe in storage ever since. Councillor Jim Battle, deputy leader of the council, said: "Gorton Monastery is one of the gems of east Manchester and is recognised as a precious World Heritage Site.

“The restoration project is an excellent example of preserving our city's heritage for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. I'm pleased the council is able to help in saving the 12 priceless statues that are now being restored to their rightful place.”

The Saints, original statues of the 12 Franciscan saints, were being delicately transported by removals company Speedy Services Ltd free of charge. The Gorton Monastery Trust is now raising funds through its 'Save a Saint' appeal to restore the statues to their former glory. The campaign coincides with the monastery's 150th anniversary celebrations and chief executive Elaine Griffiths believes the return of the Saints is the perfect birthday present for the church.

She said: “We are thrilled that after so many years of waiting these wonderful statues are finally coming home to be restored. “We had hoped to bring them back in our 150th Anniversary year, and are very grateful to Speedy for helping us to achieve that. “With the generous support of the public we are hoping we can raise enough funds to restore them.”

http://menmedia.co.uk/northeastmanchesteradvertiser/news/s/1458291_saints-march-back-in-after-20-years

Learn about the rise, decline and fall of the Monastery and its magnificent restoration. Get a unique and fascinating insight in to the life and works of those extraordinary Friars who created a masterpiece of worldwide architectural and religious significance.

Re:Verb are an incredibly talented music collective of young people from RECLAIM, lead by Tosin and Tamieka. Ruth arranged a master class with soul musicians David McAlmont and Guy Davies at Gorton Monastery where they wrote lyrics and sang the blues.

The results were simply outstanding. Their ‘Breaking Boundaries’ E.P. which will be released in June 2011.

www.reclaimproject.org.uk

Singers travelled from all across the country for the event to launch the monastery’s 150th anniversary appeal. The aims to raise enough cash to restore 12 stone statues to their former glory and place them back on show in the monastery.

Around 300 people gathered for the event at the Gorton Lane venue on Easter Sunday.

The Sing Live Choir, which has just returned from a tour of Tuscany, Italy, performed 14 songs including works by Mozart and John Rutter.

Click on More Info to see a short video of their performance

The Monastery selected as best in North West and wins prestigious national industry award

The Monastery, Manchester achieved a Silver Award in the Best UK Unusual Venue category at the 2011 Meetings & Incentive Travel Industry Awards.

The Trustees, team, friends and supporters of the Monastery are sad to report that Tony Hurley passed away peacefully yesterday, Friday 28th January in St Ann’s Hospice at the age of 57, after a short battle with cancer.

Tony worked at the Monastery for many years and was part of the original team who led the campaign to save the Monastery. In recent years Tony’s passion for Franciscan History was shared through his tours and talks as our inspirational Heritage and Tour Director. A wonderful compassionate man who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Royal Praise For Gorton Monastery

HRH The Prince of Wales recently attended a Civic Dinner with 400 Businesses and Community leaders as part of his National tour to launch his START sustainability initiative.

THE restoration of Gorton Monastery, the stunning 19th Century former friary in east Manchester, has been named the top North West building project at the property sector's annual awards.