To provide a catalyst structure which increases the strength of an inorganic binder, which can be easily processed into a desired form and which can enhance the reaction efficiency, and to provide a method for manufacturing the structure.

In the catalyst structure, metal oxide particles (c) carrying metal copper particles (d) (metal catalyst) are held on heat-resistant fibers (a) with an inorganic binder (b). In this structure, the heat-resistant fibers (a) are formed into a porous structure having 10 to 90% porosity, and the metal copper particles (d) are held in the pores of the porous structure with the inorganic binder (b). The structure also contains fine fibers (e) having about 50nm to 1μm diameter.