St Chad's is the Catholic mother-church of Manchester, tracing its origins back to the 1770s.

However, due to a growing need, it became an independent mission again in 1835 when Fr William Turner, who would later become the first Bishop of Salford, was appointed to take charge.

The new church was designed by Weightman and Hadfield in the Gothic Revival style for Fr Robert Croskell.

Building work commenced in April 1846 and the new church was opened 4 August 1847 by Bishop George Hilary Brown.

In 2007, the Premonstratensians took up residence following the closure of Corpus Christi Priory, Miles Platting,[4] however they only stayed for a short period.