Alton Abbey facts for kids
Alton Abbey is a special place in Beech, a village near Alton, Hampshire, England. It is a monastery where Anglican Benedictine monks live and pray. The abbey was started in 1895. It is also close to King's Hill, one of Hampshire's highest points.
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History of Alton Abbey
The group that became Alton Abbey began in 1884. It was founded by Revd Charles Plomer Hopkins. At first, it was called the Society of Saint Paul. They worked in places like Rangoon (Burma) and Kolkata (India). Their main goal was to help sailors from the Merchant Navy who were in trouble or needed help.
In 1894, the first house for this work opened in Barry Docks, South Wales. Soon, the community needed a quieter place. So, they bought land in Beech in 1895. This new site was first used to care for sailors who were retired or sick. They lived in simple wooden and metal buildings.
Building the Abbey
The main buildings you see today were designed by Sir Charles Nicholson. He used Tintern Abbey as a guide for his design. The first monks helped build much of the abbey themselves. They used local flint stones. The Gatehouse, built in 1901, is made of flint and brick.
The Abbey church was designed by John Cyril Hawes. It was built between 1901 and 1907. It is also made of flint and brick. The church is dedicated to "Our Lady and Saint John." The monks had been following the Rule of St Benedict since 1893. They officially adopted it on January 28, 1981.
New Focus
In 1989, another charity took over the work of helping sailors. Since then, the monks at Alton Abbey have focused on other activities. They now offer retreats and courses for people to visit. Guests can stay in special rooms at the abbey.
The abbey used to be part of the large parish of Bentworth. This changed as the parish became smaller in the mid-1800s.
Monks at Alton Abbey
The community of monks at Alton Abbey are men. They live in a special area called the enclosure. They work in different ways to support the abbey.
- They bake bread for communion services.
- They tend to the gardens.
- They help run the retreat house.
- Some monks write or paint icons, which are religious artworks.
- They also make incense.
Joining the Community
Men who want to become monks go through a few steps. First, they spend time as an aspirant. Then they become a postulant, and later a novice. During these times, they think about their commitment to the monastic life.
If the other monks agree, they make Benedictine Vows. These vows are about stability (staying in the community), conversion of life (changing their life for God), and obedience (following the rules). These first vows are for three years. After three years, if everyone agrees, they can make lifelong vows to stay at the abbey forever.
Oblates
Oblates are men who are part of the Alton Abbey community but do not live inside the monastery. They can be lay people (not ordained) or ordained ministers. They must be over 18 years old.
Oblates promise to follow life rules similar to those of the monks. These rules are based on the Rule of St Benedict. They are adjusted to fit the Oblate's life outside the monastery.
Companions
Companions are women and men who make a promise to worship regularly with the monks. They can do this either at the Abbey itself or by following the abbey's worship schedule in their own lives.
Prayer and Church Services
Alton Abbey offers six church services each day that are open to the public. The only exception is when the whole monastery closes for a special retreat.
The daily services include:
- Morning Prayer (Matins and Lauds)
- Conventual Mass
- Mid-day Office
- Evening Prayer (Vespers)
- Compline
In September 2010, Dom William Hughes was chosen as the third Abbot of Alton. However, he resigned in 2013. The Rt Revd Dom Giles Hill then returned to his duties as abbot.
A fictional version of Alton Abbey appears in the book Sinister Street (1913) by Sir Compton Mackenzie.
See Also
- Anglican religious orders
