St Mary’s Catholic Church, Duke Street
St Mary’s Church in the Parish of Our Lady of Furness opened for worship on the 28th August 1867. It was the first Catholic Church built in the Borough of Furness. The building is situated on Duke Street along with Ramsden Square and the Town Hall. St Mary’s is a Neo-Gothic style Church and was built in a prominent position in the heart of the town on land which was presented by the Duke of Devonshire. The Church was designed by Edward Welby Pugin, a famous architect who designed and completed more than one hundred Catholic churches. There is a chapel of Our Lady placed adjacent to the Altar. The chapel serves as a quiet area in solitude surrounded by the light of the stained glass windows.
In 1976 St Mary’s Church received Grade II listed status by English Heritage. In 2016 the Heritage Lottery Fund supported the restoration of the church spire. The spire was an addition to the original building in 1888 and is a much loved feature of the town’s skyline which has been preserved for future generations. This funding has assisting in allowing us to keep the church open and to continue its valuable work in serving the local community.
St Mary’s Church is open daily from 10-3pm and visitors are welcome to explore the church for themselves outside of service or event times and/or to join us for services and events. For further information on Mass times and morning prayers please click here. For details of special events, including free concerts, please consult the latest newsletter on the events page. If you, or your group, would like a special tour of St Mary’s Church please contact the church office between 9.30 and 2.30 to arrange for a guide to show you round.
Further Information
- For further Church history please follow this link.
- For history of the convent, schools and local historical information please see the following link.
The Parish of "Our Lady Of Furness" 