Gorton Monastery

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Basic information
Church and Friary of St Francis

Shown within Greater Manchester
Location	Gorton, Greater Manchester, England
Geographic coordinates	SJ876968
Geographic coordinates	53°28′06″N 2°11′15″W / 53.468333, -2.1875Coordinates: 53°28′06″N 2°11′15″W / 53.468333, -2.1875
Religious affiliation	Catholic (Franciscan)
Ecclesiastical status	Friary
Website	www.gortonmonastery.co.uk
Architectural description
Architectural style	High Victorian Gothic architecture
Year completed	1872
Specifications

The Church and Friary of St Francis (grid reference SJ876968), known locally as Gorton Monastery, is a 19th century former Franciscan friary in Gorton, in east Manchester, England. The Franciscans arrived in Gorton in December 1861 and built their friary between 1863 and 1867. The foundation stone for the church was laid in 1866 and completed in 1872; it closed for worship in 1989. It is believed to be one of the finest examples of High Victorian Gothic architecture in the world.^[1]

It was designed by Edward Welby Pugin (1834-1875).

In 1997, Gorton Monastery was placed on the World Monuments Fund Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites in the World alongside Pompeii, the Taj Mahal and the Valley of the Kings.^[2]

Interior.

The church and associated friary buildings underwent a £6 million restoration programme supported by funds from the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage and European Regional Development Fund. The project was completed in June 2007 when the restored buildings opened as a venue for conferences, business meetings and community events.^[3]