Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Patrick Church, Oldham

Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Patrick Church is a Catholic church built from coursed sandstone with a slate roof and cast iron details. Inside, the four-bay nave leads to an octagonal apsidal sanctuary, creating a graceful progression through the space.

This church opened in 1870, designed by local architect Thomas Mitchell to serve the Irish community working in Oldham's cotton mills. The building became an important gathering place for these workers and their families during a time of rapid industrial growth.

The parish holds regular services in English and Polish, showing how people from different backgrounds worship together here. You can attend multiple Sunday Masses throughout the day, and this mix of languages reflects the community that calls this place home.

The church welcomes visitors for private prayer from Monday through Saturday starting at 10 am each day. If you wish to receive the sacrament of confession, Saturday mornings from 11 to 11:50 am is the time set aside for this purpose.

The high altar and reredos date to 1873 and were designed by George Goldie, a prominent Victorian architect known for religious buildings. Many visitors overlook the herringbone oak parquet flooring in the sanctuary, which adds an elegant touch to this sacred space.

Location: Oldham

Inception: June 5, 1870

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Website: http://smwsp.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 53.53920,-2.11900

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:22