Saint Chads Rook Street Chapel

Rook Street Chapel 1778- 1846

In 1774, a small house/chapel was erected, which stood at the northern end of what is now Fountain Street and West Mosley Street. It was named the Rook Street Chapel and dedicated to St. Chad. It served the scattered Catholic population of areas in Manchester, Salford, Bolton Rochdale, Trafford, Stockport, Glossop and Macclesfield, which numbered probably no more than 600.

The chapel was taken over by Father Roland Broomhead in 1778, beginning a 42 year service of ministry to the people of Manchester. The chapel was completely destroyed by fire in 1846 and no trace of it remains.

Below is one of the references to the Rook Street Chapel, indicating that another church on Mulberry Street had to be constructed as the number of parishioners has increased significantly (the still surviving Hidden Gem).