Monk Bretton Priory
Monk Bretton, Yorkshire
Why not come and wander, imagining how grand this priory once was from its walls, still laid out in local sandstone.
The church was designed in the Gothic Revival style by Temple Moore, architect, and was completed in 1911, although Christians have worshipped on the site since 1872.
The church was built as part of the Catholic Revival of Victorian England and to this day the church continues to follow the catholic tradition. The money to build the church was raised by miners’ families donating pennies each week and it is built to match the surrounding terraced streets. But step inside and the beautiful interior will delight you; there are uninterrupted views to the high altar from all parts of the nave with arches of different widths along the side aisles.
Come along and find the mice carved on the high altar which was made on commission by Robert Thompson, also known as the ‘Mouseman of Kilburn’. Look at our stained glass windows and, if you are fit enough, lie down in the centre aisle and look up at the roof bosses (a popular activity for our young church goers!).
Visit our two side chapels and see the fine examples of Temple Moore’s work, especially in the Lady Chapel, which has been described as the most beautiful Lady Chapel in the Wakefield Diocese, high praise indeed.
Outside the church, take time to look at our statue of St Peter the fisherman, which local artist Steve West was commissioned to produce as part of the centenary celebrations of the church.