This former Franciscan church and friary has been described as architect Edward Welby Pugin's masterpiece. It is a stunning example of the Neo-Gothic style that the Pugins helped to make popular in Victorian Britain.
Derelict for many years, it was saved from ruin by the building preservation trust that still maintains and operates the site to this day.
Today, The Monastery operates as a heritage visitor attraction and venue for hire. All proceeds from venue hire, donations and grants help us to continue our work to maintain and preserve this important site and contribute to our growing outreach programme.

The Monastery offers a unique venue and the perfect setting for an unforgettable event. Famous for its stunning architecture and historical importance, The Monastery is an ideal venue for a wide range of corporate and social events.
Our impressively versatile spaces have hosted conferences, dinners, parties, awards evenings, concerts, proms, fashion shows and product launches. By choosing to hold your event at The Monastery, not only will you have found a unique venue for your event but you will also be helping us to preserve this important cultural site for future generations to enjoy.

After the Franciscan friars arrived in Gorton in 1861 they went on to build a Franciscan training centre and Parish Church of cathedral-like proportions, and Gorton Monastery became both a spiritual and social focus for the community. Sadly the demolition of the surrounding terraced houses in the 1970s resulted in a decline in congregation numbers. With only a few friars remaining, the Franciscans left Gorton in 1990. After years of dereliction, the Trust was formed by a group of volunteers who went on to restore the site to its former glory. Discover the story of The Monastery for yourself on one of our Open Days. General admission free.

Escape the hustle and bustle, and enjoy a quiet retreat from modern life in our tearoom, The Victorian Pantry. Our tearoom offers the perfect setting to catch-up with friends, make new ones or simply relax in charming Victorian surroundings. Enjoy a selection of speciality teas, our homemade soup of the day, sandwiches and salads, and tempting cakes.
Looking to celebrate a special occasion, treat someone special or enjoy quality time with friends or family? Step back in time and treat yourself to a sumptuous afternoon tea served on vintage china in The Victorian Pantry. Please see our 'Food & Drink' page for Pantry opening times.

Discover the history of E.W. Pugin's Neo-Gothic treasure and walk in the footsteps of the Franciscans: enhance your visit with one of our guided tour or talk packages. Get a unique and fascinating insight into the life and works of the generations of friars who created and guarded this masterpiece of architectural and religious significance. Learn about the rise, decline and fall of The Monastery and its magnificent restoration.
Our guided tours and talks help bring The Monastery to life: come and find out what makes this site so special. For more information on individual or group packages, please visit our tours and talks page.

Amaze your guests with a unique venue and provide the perfect setting for your wedding day, at The Monastery. This magnificent venue is visually stunning and breathtakingly romantic, ideal for couples that are looking for something that is extra-special for their big day.Create memories that will last a lifetime in a spectacular venue that your wedding guests will never forget.
For more information on weddings, please visit our wedding page or contact our expert wedding planners by emailing events@themonastery.co.uk

As well as maintaining this important site, we also continually work on improving and expanding our outreach programme through the work of the Trust. Just as the Franciscans provided a social focus for the Gorton community, The Monastery still aims to be at the heart of the local area with an extensive programme of one-off and regular events.
Alongside this, we aim to deliver an outreach and education programme that helps us to remember the past and inspire the future, following in the footsteps of the franciscans who once inhabited this site.

The Monastery of St. Francis & Gorton Trust, the building preservation trust that restored and looks after this important site, is a charity and relies on the support of donations, grants and the income generated from venue hire. Our principle aim is to make sure that The Monastery is safeguarded for the future, so that it never again gets into the derelict state that it was found in when the Trust was formed in 1996.
Please visit our 'How Can I Help?' page if you would like to donate to The Monastery and become part of our story.