Convent of the Epiphany facts for kids

The Convent of the Epiphany in Truro, Cornwall, UK, was once the home of a special group of Anglican nuns called the Community of the Epiphany. This community was started in 1883 by George Wilkinson, who was the Bishop of Truro.

The nuns of the Community of the Epiphany were very busy. They helped people in the community, taught children, and took care of important churches like Truro Cathedral and St Paul's Church. They were also known for their beautiful church needlework. For many years, a nun named Mother Julian (Warrender) was their leader. She was a great inspiration to others.

Other Homes and Projects

The Convent of the Epiphany didn't just have one home. The nuns opened other houses in places like Penzance and Newquay. They also ran a special place for people to get better after being sick in St Agnes.

In Truro, they had a small school called Rosewin School. They also ran a quiet place for reflection and prayer called St Michael's House.

Helping Others Far Away

In 1936, the nuns from Truro started a new group called the Community of Nazareth in Tokyo, Japan. This new community eventually became fully independent around 1960. It was part of the Anglican Church in Japan, known as the Nippon Sei Ko Kai. The Community of Nazareth in Japan later started its own branch on the island of Okinawa.

Alverton House: The First Home

The Convent of the Epiphany first started at Alverton House. This house is on Tregolls Road in Truro. It's an old building from the early 1800s. Since 1984, it has been a Grade II* listed building, which means it's a very important historic place.

In 1881, Alverton House and its large gardens were put up for sale. The property was described as a lovely home with thirteen bedrooms, a big living room, dining rooms, a library, and a conservatory. It also had about 12 acres (4.9 hectares) of lawns, gardens, and five small cottages. The house was sold for £6,200.

Changes to Alverton House

When the nuns moved in, they made some changes to Alverton House. They added a bell tower and a new main entrance. A north wing was built to create more rooms for the nuns. A special chapel was built between 1908 and 1910 by an architect named Edmund H. Sedding. The west wing of the house was built around the same time and might also have been designed by Sedding.

Copeland Court: A New Chapter

By 1983, fewer people were joining the Community of the Epiphany. Because of this, Alverton House was sold. The twelve remaining nuns moved to a new home called Copeland Court in Kenwyn. Today, Alverton House is a hotel.

In 2001, the last two nuns moved out of Copeland Court. This meant that the Community of the Epiphany officially ended. In 2002, Copeland Court was renamed the Epiphany House Conference and Retreat Centre.

One of the last members of the order was Sister Elizabeth CE. In 2008, when she was 92 years old, she was living in a nursing home in Devon. She was still involved in helping others. Sister Elizabeth lived a very long life and passed away in 2017 at the age of 101.

See also

• Vincent Coles (1845 – 1929) – a warden who helped the Convent of the Epiphany