The foundation stone for St Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Cleator was laid on 3rd October 1869 by The Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle. The church was officially opened on the 23rd June 1872. It had cost £6000 to build.
The church was designed by E. W. Pugin and was built to accommodate 1,000 people. Fr. Brierley, the parish priest at the time, and responsible for the building of the church, had a particular devotion to Our Lady, and the church was dedicated to 'Our Lady of the Sacred Heart'.
The original church, which was opened in 1853, was then taken over for use as part of St. Mary's school, which adjoined it.
The church was designed by E. W. Pugin and was built to accommodate 1,000 people. Fr. Brierley, the parish priest at the time, and responsible for the building of the church, had a particular devotion to Our Lady, and the church was dedicated to 'Our Lady of the Sacred Heart'.
The original church, which was opened in 1853, was then taken over for use as part of St. Mary's school, which adjoined it.
