Abbotskerswell Priory facts for kids

Abbotskerswell Priory was once a special home for a group of Augustinian nuns. It's located near the village of Abbotskerswell in Devon, England. The nuns lived there from 1861 until 1983. Today, this historic building has been changed into apartments for older people.

Abbotsleigh House: The Priory's Beginning

The story of Abbotskerswell Priory starts with a house called Abbotsleigh House. It was built on a high spot outside Abbotskerswell between 1847 and 1848. The land where it stood used to belong to the Abbot of Sherborne.

In February 1860, the Catholic Church bought Abbotsleigh House and about 36 acres (14.5 hectares) of land. This became the main part of the new St. Augustine's Priory. For a short time, it was even known as Abbots Leigh Priory.

Who Designed the Priory?

A famous architect named Joseph Hansom was chosen to design the new buildings. He needed to create space for 50 nuns! Hansom had just finished working on Plymouth Cathedral. But he is probably most famous for inventing the Hansom Cab, a type of horse-drawn carriage.

Hansom's original plan for the whole priory is still available to see today. Even though another architect, Benjamin Bucknall, added some details later, the overall design followed Hansom's ideas. The part where the nuns lived was ready by the autumn of 1861. The church, called the Church of the Holy Ghost, was finished in the autumn of 1863. Over the next 20 years, more sections were added, including a guest wing and a services wing.

The Nuns of Abbotskerswell

The nuns who lived at Abbotskerswell Priory had an interesting journey. In 1794, a group of English nuns from a convent in Louvain, Belgium, had to leave their home. This happened because of the French Revolution. They returned to England and lived in Amesbury, Wiltshire, for five years.

In 1800, they moved again to Spetisbury in Dorset. There, they started a boarding school for about 40 young ladies. This place became known as St. Monica's Priory. Finally, in 1861, they found their permanent home in Abbotskerswell. This move was suggested by the Bishop of Plymouth, William Vaughan. Because of their experiences during the revolution, the nuns even had two secret escape tunnels built at the priory!

How Did the Nuns Live?

At Abbotskerswell Priory, the nuns lived as an enclosed order. This meant they had very little contact with people from the village until about 1952. It's a tradition in these types of monasteries to keep the nuns separate. Local people could attend services in a small side chapel. They could hear the services in the main church but could not see the nuns.

However, things changed over time. People who lived in the village remember that by the 1960s, the nuns had more freedom. They were even able to sell things like honey and eggs from their small farm.

What Was the Nuns' Daily Life Like?

The main purpose of the nuns' community was to pray for the world. They prayed for people to change their ways and for the Christian faith to spread, especially in England. New nuns, called postulants and novices, learned to sing and recite the Divine Office. This is a set of daily prayers.

Besides their religious duties, the nuns also helped with the daily work of the priory. They were also trained in different crafts based on their skills. Most of their time was spent on religious activities. This included daily Mass, special prayers, and singing in the choir. The sisters took turns praying day and night.

A Special Relic

The Priory also kept some important historical items. One of these was the hair shirt of Sir Thomas More. A hair shirt is a rough garment worn for religious reasons. Sir Thomas More's adopted daughter, Margaret Clements, gave it to the nuns for safekeeping. This special item is now kept at Buckfast Abbey, which is also in Devon.

Images for kids

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  St Augustine's Priory - Abbotskerswell.