Manchester Cathedral, Manchester

Manchester Cathedral, Manchester (must see)

Manchester Cathedral, located in Manchester holds the formal name Cathedral and Collegiate Church of Saint Mary, Saint Denys, and Saint George. This historic edifice serves as the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Manchester, the seat of the Bishop of Manchester, and acts as the city's parish church. Positioned on Victoria Street in the heart of Manchester city center, the cathedral is recognized as a Grade I listed building, denoting its significance and heritage.

Originally established as a parish church, the structure underwent significant reconstruction in the Perpendicular Gothic style beginning in 1421, following the establishment of the collegiate body. By the end of the 15th century, under the direction of James Stanley II—who served as warden from 1485 until 1506 and subsequently as Bishop of Ely until 1515—the nave and collegiate choir were rebuilt. These additions featured high clerestory windows and were complemented by exquisite late-medieval wooden internal furnishings. These included the pulpitum, intricately carved choir stalls, and a nave roof adorned with angels bearing gilded instruments.

In 1847, this collegiate church was elevated to cathedral status with the creation of the new Diocese of Manchester. The cathedral underwent substantial Victorian-era renovations, where it was refaced, restored, and extended. Further repairs and restorations were necessitated after the building suffered bomb damage during World War II.

The structure of the cathedral showcases a diverse use of materials, with its original walls and internal piers constructed from dark purple-brown Collyhurst sandstone dating back to the Early Permian period. However, significant parts of this original stonework were later encased in Roman Cement in the early 19th century, a process that eventually led to extensive damage requiring most of the internal and external stonework to be replaced with buff-grey Fletcher Bank Grit from Ramsbottom during later 19th-century restorations. Additionally, since the 1960s, the nave floors have been relaid with limestone sourced from the Peak District, notable for containing crinoid fossils.

Manchester Cathedral stands today not only as a central spiritual hub but also as a testimony to the architectural and historical evolution of Manchester, being one of fifteen Grade I listed buildings in the city.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Manchester. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Manchester Cathedral on Map

Sight Name: Manchester Cathedral
Sight Location: Manchester, England (See walking tours in Manchester)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Manchester, England

Create Your Own Walk in Manchester

Create Your Own Walk in Manchester

Creating your own self-guided walk in Manchester is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Edwardian Architecture Tour

Edwardian Architecture Tour

A product of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester is noted for its warehouses, railway viaducts, cotton mills, and canals, reflecting the most ambitious and exciting phase of the city's history.

During the reign of King Edward VII, which spanned from 1901 to 1910, Manchester experienced a significant boom in architectural development. This period saw a shift towards more ornate and...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Manchester Historical Architecture Tour

Manchester Historical Architecture Tour

Manchester’s architecture is rich in styles. Throughout centuries, the city has evolved in phases, each of which left its peculiar imprint on the city's architectural tapestry. Here, you can see medieval red-brick buildings coexisting harmoniously with concrete-and-glass structures from the modern era.

One notable landmark in Manchester is the Statue of Prince Albert, a regal monument...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Manchester Introduction Walking Tour

Manchester Introduction Walking Tour

The seventh most populated city in England, Manchester is an important cultural, industrial and historic center.

The recorded history of Manchester began with the civilian settlement associated with the Roman fort established circa 79 AD on a sandstone bluff near the confluence of the rivers Medlock and Irwell. Having been a manorial township throughout the Middle Ages, Manchester enjoyed rapid...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Top 10 Cafes and Sweet Shops in Manchester

Top 10 Cafes and Sweet Shops in Manchester

Heading up Oldham Street from Picadilly Gardens you arrive at The Northern Quarter; the ‘cool’ part of Manchester, think Brooklyn, Shoreditch, Le Marais; trendy young things with fancy haircuts frequent the coffee houses, boutique and vintage shops during the day and the bars once night-time...