Ampleforth Abbey Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Ampleforth Abbey
The Abbey Church of St Laurence, Ampleforth

Ampleforth Abbey Location in North Yorkshire
54°12′06″N 1°05′05″W / 54.2018°N 1.0847°W / 54.2018; -1.0847
OS grid reference	SE598788
Location	Ampleforth, North Yorkshire
Country	England
Denomination	Catholic Church
Website	Ampleforthabbey.org.uk
History
Status	Abbey
Founded	1802
Founder(s)	Lady Anne Fairfax
Dedication	St Laurence the Martyr
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade I
Designated	9 September 1985
Administration
Deanery	Central
Diocese	Middlesbrough
Province	Liverpool

Ampleforth Abbey is a special place where Benedictine monks live and pray. It's a monastery located in North Yorkshire, England. This abbey is part of a larger group called the English Benedictine Congregation.

The monks at Ampleforth Abbey are connected to a very old community. They trace their history back to Westminster Abbey before the English Reformation. As of 2024, there are 41 monks living at Ampleforth Abbey.

History of Ampleforth Abbey
- Leaders of the Abbey
Buildings and Design
- The Abbey Church Design
What the Monks Do
Images for kids
See also

History of Ampleforth Abbey

Monastery, Abbey Church and Main Hall

Ampleforth Abbey started in 1802. A kind lady named Lady Anne Fairfax gave a house to Father Anselm Bolton. This house became the first home for the monks.

Before coming to Ampleforth, the monks had moved around a lot. They had been in different places after leaving their monastery in Lorraine, France. When they arrived at Ampleforth Lodge, Father Appleton became their first leader, called a prior.

Soon after, a school that had been with the monks also moved to Ampleforth. The priory became an official abbey in 1890. A very important and successful school, Ampleforth College, grew from this beginning. The main monastery building was finished in 1897.

The first church at the abbey was built in 1857. It was later taken down in 1957. The church you see today was started in 1924. It was finished and officially opened in 1961. A famous architect named Giles Gilbert Scott designed this beautiful church.

Leaders of the Abbey

The leader of an abbey is called an Abbot. Here is a list of the Abbots who have guided Ampleforth Abbey:

1900–1924: Oswald Smith OSB
1924–1939: Edmund Matthews OSB
1939–1963: Herbert Byrne OSB
1963–1976: Basil Hume OSB
1976–1984: Ambrose Griffiths OSB
1984–1997: Patrick Barry OSB
1997–2005: Timothy Wright OSB
2005–2021: Cuthbert Madden OSB
2021–present: Robert Igo OSB

Buildings and Design

The main buildings of the college were started in 1861 by Charles Hansom. They have been made bigger many times over the years. Some of the beautiful wooden furniture in the cafe and library was made by a famous craftsman, Robert Thompson.

The Abbey Church Design

The Abbey Church is a very important building. It is listed as a grade I listed building, meaning it's historically significant. Giles Gilbert Scott designed it, and it was built in two main stages. The first stage was from 1922 to 1924, and the second was from 1958 to 1961.

The church is made of limestone and has different types of roofs. It has a cross shape, which is called a cruciform plan. There's a tall tower in the middle. Underneath the church, there is a crypt with 25 small chapels. The tower has special supports called buttresses and openings for bells.

Inside the church, you can see more of Robert Thompson's woodwork. Some of the colorful stained glass windows were created by Patrick Reyntiens and Herbert Hendrie.

What the Monks Do

The monks at Ampleforth Abbey do many things. They are involved in education, helping local communities, and supporting other monasteries.

Ampleforth College

The monks started a school at Ampleforth in 1802. Today, this school is known as Ampleforth College. It is a coeducational boarding school, meaning both boys and girls live and study there. It has about 600 students.

In 2017, the college became separate from the Abbey. They now have their own leaders. However, the monks from Ampleforth Abbey still help guide the spiritual side of the college.

Helping Local Churches

Some of the monks from Ampleforth Abbey work as priests in local churches. They serve communities in different areas.

St Benet's Hall, Oxford

Ampleforth Abbey used to have a special place at St Benet's Hall, Oxford University. This was started in 1897. It allowed monks to study for university degrees. Other students could also study there. This hall closed in October 2022.

New Monasteries

The monks at Ampleforth Abbey have also helped start new monasteries in other places.

Saint Louis: In 1955, Ampleforth started a new monastery in St Louis, Missouri, in the United States. This monastery became independent in 1973 and is now called Saint Louis Abbey.
Zimbabwe: In 1996, Ampleforth helped set up a community called Monastery of Christ the Word in Zimbabwe. As of 2020, it had three monks.