Gorton Monastery 1861-1961: The story of 100 years of the Friary, Gorton

In 1861, a small group of Belgian Franciscan Friars arrived in Gorton. Despite having a local Catholic population of just a few hundred and very little money they enlisted the famous church architect, Edward Welby Pugin, to build them a friary and church ‘of cathedral-like proportions.’

Over the next century, they also established three schools and an impressive range of parish organisations – spiritual, educational, cultural, and social.

This little book, written by the archivist of the Order, was published to mark the centenary of the friars’ momentous arrival. It tells the story of the buildings and of the flourishing parish that surrounded them.

Sadly, in 1989 the friars left Gorton and for years the church stood empty and derelict. In 1996, a charity was established – The Monastery of St Francis and Gorton Trust – to raise the funds to rescue and restore the church and friary buildings. It reopened its doors in 2007 with a new life as a community, cultural, and corporate venue.

The Trust obtained permission to reprint Father Justin’s book to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the day the friars came to Gorton.

Author: Fr Justin McLoughlin, O.F.M.

Edited, and with an introduction by, Janet Wallwork.

ISBN 978-0-95714-841-3

Imprint: Monastery Publications (Historical Reprint Series)

Publication Date: First published in 1961. Reprinted in 2012.

Format: Paperback

Content: 40 pages

Cover dimensions: 140mm x 200mm