Cathedral Church of St. John the Evangelist

Salford Cathedral stands on Chapel Street in Salford, Greater Manchester. It is a Catholic cathedral and the seat of the Bishop of Salford. The building is a Grade II* listed structure designed by Matthew Ellison Hadfield. Construction began in 1844 and finished in 1848. Hadfield modelled parts of the cathedral on medieval churches like Howden Minster and Selby Abbey. The cathedral’s spire was the tallest in Lancashire when built. The cathedral is worth visiting for its historical significance and architectural detail. It became a cathedral in 1852 after the Diocese of Salford was created. The east window, made by William Wailes in 1856, tells the story of Catholic Christianity in England. Two local businessmen, Daniel Lee and John Leeming, donated £1,000 each towards its construction. The cathedral’s spire suffered damage in storms and wars but was repaired over time. Inside, visitors find a grand nave with rib vaults copied from a church in Liège. The crossing holds a free-standing altar added after the Second Vatican Council. The north transept contains a War Memorial Chapel for World War I. The south transept has a chapel of the Blessed Sacrament designed by Peter Paul Pugin. The west window, installed in 1994, depicts the crucified Christ with the Virgin Mary and St. John.