The Hidden Gem

The Hidden Gem, or officially St Mary’s Catholic Church, is located on Mulberry Street in Manchester, England. It was first dedicated at the site in 1794 with devotion to St Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption. In 1835, the roof collapsed, was restored and now The Hidden Gem remains the oldest Catholic Church in Manchester. (The second in the City Centre was St Augustine's in Granby Row, afterwards moved to Chorlton on Medlock.)ReformationIn 1422, Henry V gave permission for a collegiate church dedicated to St Mary, the Virgin of Manchester. Papal confirmation was issued by Martin V in 1426. The church was dissolved during the reign of Edward VI, but was re-founded by Mary I. It subsequently passed out of papal control, and it is now the Manchester Cathedral of St Mary, St George and St Denys.End of Penal LawsThe Penal Laws proscribed the celebration of the Latin Rite. They were finally abolished by the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829. Catholic families had existed in Manchester throughout the period and had met secretly in order to conduct services. In 1774, a small chapel had been set up in Rook Street dedicated to St Chad. The chapel serviced about 600 people coming from as far away as Bolton, Glossop and Macclesfield. In the following years, with the advent of the Industrial Revolution, Catholic families from Ireland were attracted to the cotton industry in Manchester. The chapel remained in use until it was destroyed by fire in 1846. St Chad’s relocated to its own purpose built church in Cheetham Hill.