A former church, Hallé St. Peter’s is a Grade II listed building that is a home for the Hallé’s rehearsals and recordings, its choirs and Youth Orchestra. Designed by prominent architect Edward Walters, it has been carefully preserved and restored to retain its historical charm and grandeur. The historic structure has a long history of music and as of late, is also one of Manchester’s unique Candlelight venues and is bathed in the warm glow of candlelight during its live music performances.
Located in the heart of the resurgent area of Ancoats, a former industrial district, it is a 10-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly Train Station, Piccadilly Gardens and Shudehill Bus Terminals and Metrolink stops and a 15-minute walk from Victoria Train Station. Given that it’s easy to arrive at this charming venue by public transport, we recommend using the tram or the various buses in the immediate vicinity, although there are also a few paid street parking bays nearby.
Facts, Curiosities and Interesting Things about Hallé St. Peter’s
1. The building was the first Anglican church built in a predominantly Roman Catholic neighbourhood
Ancoats was a primarily working-class neighbourhood that during the Industrial Revolution became an industrial hotspot, where many workers, migrants and their families earned meagre wages and lived in typically red-brick and cramped, back-to-back houses. It took many years to build the church due to the community’s lack of funding and eventually in 1859, the structure was the first Anglican church built in Victorian Ancoats.
2. Hallé St. Peter’s aims to support and engage the local community
Through Hallé’s award-winning Education Programme, all events booked at the venue support the programme. It aims to make music and the more traditional classical concerts accessible to everyone, particularly those social groups that historically do not come to the concert hall.
3. Originally opened by the Hallé’s Patron HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh in 2013
The Duchess of Edinburgh officially opened The Oglesby Center only a few months ago in April, following the restoration of the hall, an extension to Hallé St. Peter’s. However, the historic and bewitching building itself opened as a rehearsal space back in 2013.
Candlelight Concerts at Hallé St. Peter’s
The storied venue will be bathed in the glow of candlelight as it hosts some of the most amazing classical tribute concerts. Get ready for the sounds of award-winning film scores, dreamy pop-rock anthems, tributes to rock legends and much more. Hear some of your favourite songs at enchanting candlelit concerts.
What else can you do at Hallé St. Peter’s?
Besides serving as a home for the Hallé Orchestra rehearsals and recordings, its choirs and Youth Orchestra, Hallé St. Peter’s also attracts event organisers when planning their next event. Due to its charm, history and beauty, the space is a venue to impress. It’s been carefully renovated and refurbished and transformed into an elegant, flexible space for entertaining.
Whether it’s parties, weddings, meetings and conferences, when you step into the amazing halls, you can’t help but be enchanted by the high ceilings, incredible acoustics, and the dramatic staircase that brings you to the upper level, illuminated by a glass roof.
Providing a home for the Hallé orchestra’s rehearsals and recordings, this elegant space is a unique venue hosting an array of magical Candlelight concerts. With orchestration and classical notes running through its veins, Hallé St. Peter’s provides the perfect setting for talented musicians to recreate the works of great composers, modern-day icons, and unforgettable film scores.
Candlelight is an experience unlike any other, and you won’t want to miss out. Simply sit back and savour the stunning orchestral takes on modern-day hits and the music of yesteryear.