St Mary's church has always been a great church for weddings, christenings and sadly funerals too…read moreof which I have been to many. The size of the church internally is ideal for weddings and seats hundreds of people. It stands proud on the outskirts of the shopping area and is always nice in the summer months with a clock you can see for miles. Bell ringing can always be heard across the valley and functions, services and clubs use the church on a regular basis.

If you are a stranger and drive past this church, you most probably will think; 'What the Hell is…read morethat?' It does look a bit strange as it is a very out-dated building with a huge green dome. But I think that is what gives it its character. Apart from the outside, the church is beautiful inside and large...very large. They have stained glass windows depicting stories from the Bible which are elegantly finished. It is old fashioned inside but it does not feel unmodern. It is different but beautiful. Alongside the church they hold different clubs for children such as Rainbows and Brownies. So if you are new to the area and want your child to join a club where they can learn about God and play games with friends, then contact the church.

Residents of fashionable Marylebone could be forgiven for doing a double-take driving east out of…read moreManchester when, tucked away, close to the Roman Catholic Cathedral and the University of Salford, they see the double of their own church of St Mary's, Wyndham Place. They will not, however, have teleported home. The church they see is in fact St Philip's Chapel Street, in Salford. Both were Commissioner's churches, both built around 1822-24, and both were given the same design by Sir Robert Smirke, in a flagrant example of architectural recycling. The design is Greek Revival: an impressively handsome semi-circular portico of Ionic columns is surmounted by a classic 'pepper-pot' bell tower. Behind, the church has a conventional rectangular plan, with tall round headed windows above a row of smaller straight-headed windows. It is a wonderful addition to the local streetscape, and a Grade II* listed building. Inside, the church was designed as a classic preaching box: large galleries on three sides would have allowed seating for a congregation of 1,000. However, the interior was re-ordered in 1895 by J Medland Taylor, to provide a larger square sanctuary, to provide for more ritualised worship (although the galleries survived). An interesting feature is that it retains it original organ, made by Renn & Boston in 1829. The church is now home to a new partnership, with a 'plant' from the New Wine network of churches, with a charge to reinvigorate the mission of the church in the area for the 21st Century. The church provides services in both traditional and more lively charismatic evangelical styles.

The church dedicated to St Philip was erected in this spot in 1825. The architect was Sir Robert…read moreSmirke who went on to design the Bank of England and the British Museum. The church's purpose was not limited to the spread of gospel. It was one of the so-called "Waterloo churches" intended to prevent the dissemination of the dangerous ideas of the French Revolution. Bizarrely, it was consecrated on St Matthew Day, and it didn't go without a few hiccups. One notices the imposing design of the church, and it is a particularly fine site, if seen from Chapel St. The commissioners wanted Smirke to place the grand porch and circular tower in the south end of the church, rather than the western end. In his turn, Smirke wanted his church in classical style. All in all, this is one of the most original buildings in Greater Manchester, and apparently boasts a copy on Leonardo's Last Supper.

Hey, here we are right on my doorstep again! I walk past this church every time I wander into the…read morecentre of Manchester and I've been lucky enough to spy on a couple of services on my travels. I have to say, in the heart of Salford's very here and there Chapel Street I never expected to see a church quite so beautiful. As the daughter of a scientist I'm about as agnostic as you can get (I'm a bit of a fate and everything-happens-for-a-reason person, thus I suppose I cannot call myself entirely atheist), but I've always appreciated churches on an aesthetic level. This one is particularly stunning. Even the grounds are lovely to walk around, they've made such an effort with the plants and all the original features are in place. Inside it's even more impressive, ornate and beautiful with gorgeous lighting and fixtures. We're lucky to have a good few pretty churches in the area, and this is certainly one worth seeing.

Saint Philip was a very warm experience with great worship music and a great message. The people…read morewere friendly and open to new visitors and the Pastor and his wife were wonderful. The church is from 1822 and well worth the visit.

I have passed this church countless times and occasionally been amused by their encouraging posters…read moreabout Jesus and God. The latest reads something like - feel taken for granted? Imagine how God feels! I have never been moved to visit the church in a religious capacity, however. Like many churches these days, the hall acts as a community space. I have been to a few yoga and dance workshops here and the space is really great. Even though it is on the Otley Road, when inside it is very peaceful. At the back there is a large green area which is also very pleasant. I'm sure many community take advantage of this space by meeting here.

Manchester is really a great city. It doesn't have infinite choice like London but that's pretty…read moreoverwhelming. Instead, it has enough cool places to keep you occupied for years but at the same time mean you can become a regular places with fomo. Plus, it still keeps surprising you. Manchester has some of the coolest event venues I've ever been to, such as Victoria Warehouse and the gorgeous Albert Hall. The Victorian Gothic Monastery perhaps out impresses even those venues. A Franciscan church and friary from the 1860s, it was formerly on the top 100 most endangered monuments in the world. Now beautifully restored, I entered through the lovely cloisters and was stunned entering the soaring nave, made even more striking with coloured lighting plus an aerialist display! I attended for a large work party of about 250 people. It's a really huge space so any less than this and it might feel a bit empty - imagine how big the weddings here are! We really enjoyed our salmon starter, which had a well-balanced lemon and caper dressing. The chicken supreme was standard but not dry at all and I thought good for a catered meal. The lemon tart for dessert was very nice, although too large portion for most If you're looking for somewhere really special to have an event, this has to be on your list.

I knew Manchester Cathedral from a video game I played years ago, believe it or not (can't even…read moreremember the name of the game). Although it was portrayed very beautifully in the game, it was even nicer in real life. The interior is so amazing to walk around, filled with gorgeous stained glass windows and lovely little alcoves with nice artwork to enjoy. Naturally, entry is free (although donations are welcome), and I recommend it to anyone who is in the area.

Manchester Cathedral is in a pretty good, yet slightly hidden city centre location, just down…read moreDeansgate and it is pretty much behind Victoria Station. It is a rather impressive Cathedral overall which was built from the 1400s to the 1800s with a tower height of 135 feet. It really does feel that this Cathedral is trying to squeeze as much money as it can out of worshippers which is a real shame, examples include the photography permit" scheme really is ridiculous. To be able to take photos inside they charge a £1 fee, which is alongside a suggested donation to enter the cathedral of £3. I do think it is slightly hidden too and the gardens around the Cathedral obviously doesn't compare to others including Birmingham. For me, the cash-centred nature with staff inside who seem more interested in getting a few pounds here and there from visitors and trying their best at intimidating people rather than being friendly isn't what a Cathedral is about. 2* Review number #3200.

I must agree with the other reviewers and say that this church really is a lovely piece of…read moreManchester, sitting quietly majestic at the top of St Anne's Square. When I was doing the temp job from Hell nearby, I would spend my lunchtimes eating my Design A Sandwich on the steps of one of the doorways facing out into St Anne's Sq, quietly regaining my patience for life, before heading back to the office. It's a great spot for people watching, as you're sort of tucked away. Plus, it gets nice and warm in the summer with the sun shining on it all day. So, there's my review of this lovely church. Now you've got it all. Elliot's told you about the music, Sarah-Jane let you know about prayer times, and me, well I just gave you another option for your lunch break.

Just like everyone else who has reviewed St Ann's Church, my appreciation of this great church is…read morepurely architectural. St Ann's Church is truly beautiful inside, and is to me actually more impressive than Manchester Cathedral. I've always found the vicar to be an extremely friendly fellow, who greets everyone looking around the church with a warm smile and a nice "hello." Go and look around the inside and out of St Ann's Church, it's absolutely stunning.