Cambridge Blackfriars facts for kids
The front of the priory
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 Location in Cambridgeshire
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| Monastery information | |
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| Full name | Priory of St Michael the Archangel |
| Order | Dominican Order |
| Established | 1238 |
| Disestablished | 1538 |
| Reestablished | 1938 |
| Dedicated to | Michael the Archangel |
| Diocese | East Anglia |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Sebastian Bullough (1938) |
| Prior | Euan Marley |
| Important associated figures | Aidan Nichols, Richard Finn, Yves Congar |
| Site | |
| Location | Cambridge, England |
| Coordinates | 52°12′51″N 0°06′31″E / 52.214188°N 0.108560°E |
| Public access | Limited, but accessible after Daily Mass |
| Website | Blackfriars Cambridge |
Cambridge Blackfriars is a special kind of monastery called a priory in Cambridgeshire, England. It belongs to the Dominican Order, which is a group of Catholic priests and brothers. This priory has a long history! It was first started in 1238. Later, in 1538, it was closed down, but then it was opened again in 1938. Today, it still operates as a Dominican priory. Since 2000, it has been the main training house (called a novitiate) for new Dominican members in England.
What is Cambridge Blackfriars?
Cambridge Blackfriars is a home for Dominican friars. Friars are like monks, but they often live and work more closely with people in towns and cities. They are part of the Catholic Church. The Dominicans are also known as the "Order of Preachers" because their main job is to teach and preach about their faith.
Where is it Located?
The current Cambridge Blackfriars priory is on Buckingham Road in Cambridge. It's quite close to St Edmund's College. The building itself is interesting! It started with two existing houses that were joined together by a new section. This new part was designed by an architect named David Roberts in 1961-1962.
- The first house was given to the Dominican Order in 1938. It was a gift from the widow of a professor named Edward Bullough.
- The second house, called Howfield, was bought in 1955. This house used to be the family home of Arthur Stanley Ramsey.
A Look Back in Time
The original Dominican Friary in Cambridge was founded a very long time ago, even before 1238. It was a busy place! When it was closed down in 1538, there was a leader (called a prior) and fifteen other friars living there. The last prior, Gregory Dodds, later became an important church leader in Exeter.
After the original friary was closed, a new college was built on its site. This was Emmanuel College, founded in 1584. If you visit Emmanuel College today, you can still see parts of the old friary! For example, the college's main courtyard (called the Front Court) includes parts of the 14th-century work from the original Dominican Friary.
Images for kids
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A cross inside the Blackfriars Church.
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A statue of the Virgin Mary and child in the Our Lady and the English Martyrs Church. People believe this statue might have come from the old Dominican Friary.
