St. Anne's Church, Ancoats

Introduction

Saint Anne's Church in Ancoats, Manchester, within the Diocese of Salford, was founded as a parish in 1847, with its first church built in 1848.

History

The old church was demolished and replaced by the new church in 1977-78. In 1855 Father Allen was appointed, and during his time the parish struggled through hard times due to the cotton famine. Between 1865 and 1929 the parish had only two parish priests, Canon Liptrop and Canon O’Kelly. Canon O’Kelly had a new boy’s school built in 1896 and extended the girls school.

A parish hall was built in 1908. During the Second World War the number of people in the parish dwindled to half of what it had been twenty-five years before.

Parish life

The parish covers a wide area from Droylsden to Ancoats, and Beswick to Miles Platting. Revive, a community project founded in Salford in 2002 by the Spiritans, provides free practical and emotional support for refugees and asylum seekers, and enjoys the support of Caritas Diocese of Salford. Just Youth, a youth ministry project established in 1998 in Salford by Spiritans, provides creative formal and informal educational activities for young people. Caritas Diocese of Salford is the official charity of the diocese, aiming to free lives from poverty, disadvantage and discrimination.

Sacraments and pastoral care

For those near death, the sacrament of anointing brings comfort, and the priest can be called to visit in such circumstances. Couples wishing to marry at any of the churches must speak to the parish priest, with at least six months needed for preparations. Couples married in a civil ceremony seeking a convalidation in church also require the full six months' preparation time.

Notable people and events

Since 1929 St Anne’s had two future Bishops: Dr John McNulty who became Bishop of Nottingham and Dr Henry Vincent Marshall who became the Bishop of Salford.