St Mary (The Hidden Gem), Manchester - Roman Catholic If there
were ever once on a time mulberry trees in this locality, they
have long since been forgotten. Today the handsome church of
unusual shape and style is hemmed in by tall, grimy warehouses
and offices. Only the initiated know where to find it, so well
does it deserve the name of "the hidden gem." This is the second
oldest church in Manchester, as it was founded from St. Chad's,
Rook Street, later transferred to Cheetham Hill. In 1794 Father
Rowland Broomhead, Rector of St. Chad's, bought a plot of land
near a place called Ridgefield, and proceeded to build St.
Mary's. Father E. Kenyon, a Lancashire priest, who had been
assistant to Father Broomhead, became the first Rector. When
Pleasington Priory was built in 1816, Father Edward Kenyon, who
had been at Douay with Mr. Butler, the founder of the church,
left to take charge there. Father Thomas Lupton was Rector of
St. Mary's from 1816 to 1822. His assistants were Joseph Curr,
John Ashurst, F. Crowe,