News & Views from a Modern-day Monastery

Heritage & Culture

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 […]

Health & Wellbeing

News

Growing Together: A Greener Future at the Monastery

There’s something truly inspiring about watching life bloom in unexpected places. Here at the Monastery, our re-greening project is blossoming into something extraordinary. Thanks to the passionate efforts of our Men’s Shed volunteers, the green team, and the incredible support of the Greater Manchester Environment Fund (GMEF) and Groundwork Manchester, our historic site is being […]

Health & Wellbeing

News

Monastery Launches Green Spaces Project After Successful Funding Bid

The Monastery is delighted to announce a successful funding bid in the fifth round of the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s Green Spaces Fund. This bold re-greening project will bring the community together and encourage local residents to get involved in nature recovery, from volunteering opportunities and building green skills, to learning how to grow our […]

News

Science

Greater Manchester Becomes the UK’s First Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia Hosted by Manchester Camerata

The Monastery is very proud to announce that Greater Manchester is to become the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia hosted by Manchester Camerata, based here at the Monastery. The UK’s ‘most adventurous orchestra’ are incredibly grateful to have been awarded over £1 million through the Power of Music Fund (established by […]

Uncategorised

Celebrating the Super Listeners Who Quietly & Humbly Transform Lives

Words | Dr Jeannine Goh 5-minute read It’s a typical rainy day in Manchester, the type of grey skies that lean heavy on your mood, and that incessant rain that makes leaving the warm, cosy house so hard. The Monastery is opening up to the public for the day. A candle is lit (as it […]

Philosophy

Spirituality

What Is A ‘Modern-Day Monastery’? | Dr. Jeannine Goh

Here at Manchester’s modern-day Monastery, we are only too aware of the global environmental crisis, the escalating rise in mental distress, the rising gap between the wealthy and those in poverty, the gulf between science and spirituality (that has lead to deep rooted confusion) and now the collective trauma of the Covid-19 pandemic. These are […]

Heritage & Culture

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. The Church of St Francis has been lovingly […]

Heritage & Culture

News

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 […]

Heritage & Culture

The History of Manchester Monastery: It’s Quite a Story

A piece of Manchester History A 10-minute read. It’s a story of new communities working together to overcome adversity. It’s a story of the people. Read on to explore the extraordinary story of Manchester Monastery and its part in Manchester history. A monastery in Victorian Manchester The Monastery started life with a different name, it […]

Philosophy

In Search of Universal Truths | Dr. Jeannine Goh

In Search of Universal Truths “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom the emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand wrapped in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed” Einstein We have reached […]

Heritage & Culture

Using Manchester Heritage to Nurture Well-being | Dr. Caroline Paige

A 5-minute read. Heritage and well-being at Manchester Monastery A story of community action to rescue and restore an endangered heritage site. The legacy of the community that built it is now conserved for future generations. The continuing legacy of The Monastery is to nurture well-being. They do this by providing a sanctuary for the […]

Spirituality

The Monastery Prayer

The Monastery Prayer The Monastery is built on a beautiful, perennial truth that we all share.   We invite those who hear and feel our call to come, gather, belong and celebrate with us. We recognise that the time has come to turn away from egocentricity.   For each of us to take personal responsibility […]

Health & Wellbeing

News

Music Matters | BBC Radio 3 interviews Manchester Camerata & Elaine Griffiths

BBC Radio 3’s Music Matters have broadcasted a beautiful feature all about Manchester Camerata’s move to The Monastery and how they are making a difference to our local community of Gorton. Tom Service speaks to local Councillor Julie Reid, HideOut youth zone’s CEO Adam Farricker, and Elaine Griffiths, OBE, chief executive of The Monastery about the positive change […]

Heritage & Culture

News

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 […]