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The opening of the church had been arranged on 25th September 1872, that being Bishop Turners birthday.
He promised to sing High Mass and asked me to ask Arch-Bishop Manning to come and preach to us. The Arch-Bishop consented to preach to them.
The catering had been entrusted to Jennison, of Belle Vue Zoological Gardens, and the cloister of the friary was to serve as the dinning room for the guests.
For weeks prayers had been said for good weather, but almost in vain. Three days before the opening the weather was very bad. The day on which the ceremony was originally to take place was wet, stormy and wild.
Every Bishop of England signified his intention of being present in most cordial terms.
Then we heard the sad news of the death of Bishop Turner on July 13th. Who died today our beloved Bishop Turner.
Arch-Biahop Manning changed the opening day from Wednesday to Thursday because of another engagement. Thursday was a beautiful autumn day.
On the previous evening Father Cuthhert Wood, O.F.M. had blessed the new church and now all was ready for the inaugural celebrations. All expectations were exceeded; Here is an extract from The Catholic Times September 28th 1872. "Opening of the New Church of St.,Francis of Assissi, at West Gorton". Long hefore the appointed hour on Thursday the opening day, the church was crowded and at 11am the processien entered from the corridor (of the friary) into the church in the followiitg order; Sub-Deacon with Processional Cross, Xaverian Brothers, Oblates, Redemptionists, Passionist, Jesuits, Capuchins, Dominicans, Premonstratensions, Cistertions, Benedictines, Secular Clergy (about 100), Dean Peduzzi, Canons of other disceses, Sub-Deacons with Cross of the Chapter, Canons of Discese of Salford, Vicar Capitulor (Very Rev. Provost Croskell), the Abbot of St.,Bernards the Lord Bishop of North Hampton, the Lord Bishop of Newport Master of ceremonies to the Right Rev. Celebrant, Deacon and Sub-Deacon of the Mass, the Lord Bishop of Beverley, (Dr. Cornthwaite), His Grace the Arch-Bishop of Westminter (Dr. Manning) the Minister General of the whole order of Friars Miner, Father Guardian and Community of St Francis.
High Mass was sung by Lord Bishop of Beverley, the Rev. J.G. Boulaye being Deacon and the Rev. W. Danderdale Sub-Deacon.
The Imperial Mass was sung by an efficient choir, with instrumental accompaniments and conducted by Father Alphonsus, O.F.M. After the Gospel the Arch-Bishop preached from a raised platform under the Chancel Arch. In plan St., Francis is oblong, and strongly resembles the ancient basilicas of Rome, combined with the Gothic style. Derbyshire stone and bricks of the locality are used iii the church of St. Francis.
In 1888 Father Aidan McCarthy was elected Guardian and this appointment was a notable one for manyreasons. Father Aidan was the first Franciscan who was born in Manchester to be ordained. He was the first British subject to be Guardian of Gorton and served several times.
In 1883 he erected a beautiful pulpit in the church. Then set himself to collect funds to build a Sanctuary and High-Alter.
The plans were prepared by Messrs Pugin. The alter described as one of the finest in England and was solemnly consecrated by Bishop Ilsley of Birmingham on July 5th 1885.
In 1888 a magnificent organ was installed, built by Messrs. Wadsworth of Manchester.
In 1891 the St., Antonys Alter was erected and later in the same year our beautiful Lady Chapel was completed.
In 1893 the SACRED HEART ALTER was built, and some years later the last ALTER to be built was to be one John Forest our own great Martyr. The original design of the church was finally completed in 1911 when the steeple was added. Other improvements were added later i.e. electric light, the Calvery through the benefactions of Mr Richard Holden for many years syndic of the friary and one of the greatest benefactors of Gorton.
Mr Holden had also provided funds for the building of the BI John Forest Alter.
On June 2nd 1933 our beloved bishop Dr. Henshaw will consecrate the beautiful church, built by our fathers.
In 1893 the irifants school was built, and was proclaimed at that time, as being the finest Catholic school in England.
For more than twenty years some classes had to be held in the parish hall.
For years the fathers collected money for new schools as a memorial to our old boys who fell in the war, but no plans ever came into fruition.
In 1895 we read of Continuation Classes being held for the first time, these classes continued with varying prosperity.