About Us

About the Diocese of Shrewsbury

The Diocese of Shrewsbury is privileged to serve the faithful of the parts of Merseyside south of the River Mersey, the southern parts of Greater Manchester, parts of Derbyshire, the counties of New Cheshire – apart from parts of Warrington and Widnes – and the whole of Shropshire. Most of the Catholic population is concentrated in the urban and sub-urban areas of the north of the diocese to which many Irish migrants flocked during the Industrial Revolution.

As of January 2021 our Diocese serves over 170,000 of the faithful in 89 Parishes, in 2,369 square miles. Our Diocese employs some wonderful individuals who tirelessly support the mission of the Catholic Church. The Church is a family and our staff and clergy are here to support all individuals and families on their journeys. If you need to find some more information from one of our departments please use the contact us section of our site where you can select a certain department.

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Bishop Mark Davies

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Saints and Martyrs of the Diocese
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Shrewsbury Cathedral

Shrewsbury Cathedral is the Mother Church of our Diocese and seat of the Bishop of Shrewsbury.

The Cathedral Church of Our Lady Help of Christians and St Peter of Alcantara was begun in 1853 and opened by Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman in 1856. The original design for the Cathedral was drawn up by Augustus Welby Pugin at the request of John Talbot, the Sixteenth Earl of Shrewsbury. Sadly both the Earl and A W Pugin died in 1852 before the Cathedral got off the drawing board. Fortunately, the Earl’s 20 year old heir, Bertram, was happy to continue the project and turned to Pugin’s eldest son, Edward, to complete his father’s work. Tragically, Bertram died, just 23 years old, two months before the Cathedral was completed.

Today the Cathedral is home to a thriving parish community as well as serving the diocese as the mother church. It is from his Cathedra, here in the Cathedral,  that Bishop Mark Davies presides over the Diocese of Shrewsbury, preaching, teaching and celebrating the sacraments.

One of the greatest treasures of the Cathedral has to be the stained glass. Seven of the windows are masterpieces in the Arts and Crafts tradition by Margaret Rope, an artist born in Shrewsbury in 1882 who later became a Carmelite nun, but continued to design and paint glass for many commissions both here and abroad. Visitors travel great distances to see her work in Shrewsbury Cathedral.

Shrewsbury Cathedral website
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Patron of our Diocese

Our Lady Help of Christians

Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin, Help of Christians, we place ourselves under your motherly protection. Throughout the Church’s history you have helped Christians in times of trial, temptation and danger. Time and time again, you have proven to be the Refuge of sinners, the Hope of the hopeless, the Consoler of the afflicted, and the Comforter of the dying. We promise to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, your Son, to proclaim His Good News of God’s love for all people, and to work for peace and justice in our world. Grant, O Mary, Help of Christians, the graces of which we stand in need. May we serve Jesus with fidelity and love until death. Help us and our loved ones to attain the boundless joy of being forever with our Father in heaven. Amen.

Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us!

Discalced Carmelite Friars

The secondary patron of the Diocese of Shrewsbury is St Winefride, the Welsh virgin and martyr after whom Holywell is named.

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