The entranceway, offices and erstwhile ICT Suite of the Maher Library were originally part of the Manchester Aquarium. Following the acquisition of the site by St Bede’s College in 1877, Rector Louis Casartelli, later Bishop of Salford, built a Commercial Museum in this corridor, for the use of the boys and to assist with their education. The exhibits were varied and wide-ranging, displaying a wealth of material from across the British Empire. In 1932 the Museum was closed and dismantled with the area initially being used an art gallery, however shortly afterwards it fitted out with bookcases and became The War Memorial Library, until the building of the Maher Library in the 1990s. It is remembered by former students that Monsignor Gonne burned many of the original artefacts and books in a bonfire on the playground in 1938.

Our beautiful Chapel was completed in 1898 by renowned architect Oswald Hill, whose son Harry fell as a pilot during the Great War.

The Stations of the Cross were painted especially for the Chapel by Mssrs L. Beau of Paris and the original pews were carved by Charles Walker of Preston.

In 1911 the interiors were covered with colourful stencil designs and frescos following a bequest from the will of Oswald Hill but were whitewashed over in 1937 in anticipation of a new and more ornate mosaic being installed. However, the Second World War put paid to these plans.

The statue at the back of the Chapel is of Bishop Henshaw, former rector of the College who went on to be Bishop of Salford.

The beautiful organ was installed in 1908 and there were plans drawn up to build a high platform which was, sadly, never completed.

The sides of the Chapel are covered with brass plaques which commemorate former colleagues and Old Bedians who have gone to rest. Some go back to the early days of the College whilst others are more contemporary.

The white marble statues are St Anselm on the left and St Bede on the right. They were sculpted in Italy and installed in 1910. They are dedicated to the memories of Canon Thomas Corbishley, a former professor at the College and John Vincent Brown, a former pupil.

The high altar and the reredos are carved from St Anne’s marble and originally cost the princely sum of £400. They were paid for by an anonymous donor. The painting on the left hand side is of Pope Leo XIII who was Pope at the time the Chapel was consecrated. The other painting depicts a Madonna with cherubs and was probably donated by Father Joseph Burke , along with other College paintings. The marble altar rails were paid for by Bishop Carsartelli, a former Rector of St Bede’s and Bishop of Salford, to celebrate his Silver Jubilee of Ordination.

On the Epistle Side, you can see The Lady Chapel. This contains a marble altar paid for by money raised by the pupils of St Bede’s in 1898. The painting of the Miraculous Madonna which is set into the reredos dates from the 16th century and came into Cardinal Vaughan’s possession during his travels in Italy. It used to adorn the Convent of Tordespecchio in Rome.

The Epistle Side also contains the War Memorial Chapel, built when the chapel was extended in 1922. The carvings were made by Ferdinand Stuflesser, the most renowned church furniture designer of the time. This chapel contains two war memorials to the Fallen Bedians of both world wars and wreaths are laid here each year on Armistice Day.

On the Gospel Side, we have the Joseph Chapel. It contains as Neapolitan Altar of inlaid marble which formerly stood in the Dominican Church in Naples before being brought to St Bede’s by Cardinal Vaughan. The stained glass window depicts St. Francis de Salles and was erected in memory of Mother de Salles, the first Mistress of the Prep School. It also contains a wooden reliquary which was made by the inmates of the St Joseph’s industrial School in Longsight.

The Gospel Side is also home to the Altar of St Gerard Magella which came from The Salford Catholic Grammar School when it merged with St Bede’s College in 1891.The shrine itself was unveiled in 1899 by Cardinal Bourne, Archbishop of Westminster. The wall frescos depict he life of Father Magella and were completed in 1910.

Built 1878 to 1879 on the rear of the College Lodge, it provided a dining area for the resident community of the College. Bishop Vaughan was very keen that the Professors should eat with the Boarders and not separately. The room was designed to be a smaller scale version of the Refectory at Ushaw College, County Durham hung with grand portraits of important figures in College and Diocesan history. The panelling features painted shields of Popes, Bishops of Salford, College Rectors, College Donors, and Old Bedians who have been elevated to the episcopate. The fireplace (now boarded over) features fine Flemish tiles. Fans of classic British Drama may recognise it as a key location in ITV’s Jewel in the Crown. These days, it used as our Senior Refectory and can be hired by the public for events. Many evening College events are also held here.

Built in 1880, this large grand room was originally used as the Study Hall for the Boarding Community. The boys would be required to work in here in the evenings and during free periods. They would be supervised by one of the Professors who would read improving sermons from a pulpit whilst the boys worked. Following the closure of the Boarding School in the 1980s the room was converted into the main Music Room for the College. The room originally featured beautiful marble fireplaces which were sadly removed when it was converted to a classroom.