Douai Abbey Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Douai Abbey

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OS grid reference	SU5770468214
Location	Woolhampton, Berkshire
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	www.douaiabbey.org.uk
History
Status	Monastery
Founded	1615 (1615)
Founder(s)	Dom Gabriel Gifford
Dedication	St Edmund the Martyr
Dedicated	1933
Events	1615 Founded in Paris 1818 Moved to Douai 1903 Moved to Woolhampton
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II*
Designated	10 November 1980
Architect(s)	J Arnold Crush
Style	Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking	1903
Completed	1993
Administration
Deanery	West Berkshire
Diocese	Portsmouth
Province	Southwark

Douai Abbey is a Benedictine Abbey located in Upper Woolhampton, near Thatcham. It is in the English county of Berkshire. This important religious site is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth. Monks from a monastery in Douai, France, moved to Woolhampton in 1903. This happened because of new laws in France that affected religious groups. The abbey church is a very special building. It is listed as Grade II* on the National Heritage List for England.

History of Douai Abbey
Connections to the Stuart Royal Family
Douai Abbey Today
Music at the Abbey
- Notable Recordings
Gallery
See also

History of Douai Abbey

How Douai Abbey Started

The community of monks that became Douai Abbey began in Paris in 1615. It was founded by a person named Dom Gabriel Gifford. He later became an important church leader, the Archbishop of Rheims. With his support, the community grew strong.

Moving from France to England

During the French Revolution, the monks had to leave Paris. In 1818, they moved to Douai in France. They took over buildings that another group of monks used to live in.

Around 1900, there were political problems in France. The French prime minister introduced new laws that limited religious groups. Because of these laws, the monks had to leave France again. In 1903, they were given a new home in Woolhampton, England. This was a small religious school called St. Mary.

The abbey church at Woolhampton opened in 1933. However, it took a long time to finish building it. The church was not fully completed until 1993 because of money problems.

Changes and Growth

In the 1960s, the monastery got much bigger. New buildings were designed by a famous architect, Sir Frederick Gibberd. The abbey also ran a school called Douai School. This school closed in 1999.

In 2005, some monks went back to Douai, France. They started a new community there. This helped to bring back the old connections to English monasteries.

Connections to the Stuart Royal Family

The monks at Douai Abbey have always had strong ties to the Stuart dynasty. This was the royal family that ruled Britain before 1688. They also supported the Jacobite cause. This cause wanted to bring the Stuart family back to the throne.

King James II of England was buried near Paris. This was where the monks lived before moving to Douai. Later, members of the House of Wittelsbach studied at the abbey's school. This family now claims to be the rightful heirs to the Stuart throne. Even the past abbot, Geoffrey Scott, was a member of the Jacobite Society.

Douai Abbey Today

In July 2014, a monk became a priest. This was the first time this had happened since 2007. As of 2020, there are 23 monks living in the community. These monks help out in churches across five different areas. The monastery's special patron saint is St Edmund King and Martyr. His feast day is celebrated on November 20.

Music at the Abbey

The Abbey Church has two large musical instruments called pipe organs. One organ was built in 1978. It has an Italian style. The other, larger organ was built in 1994. It has a modern English style.

The Abbey Church is often used for recording music. This is because of its special organs and its amazing sound quality. The way sound bounces around in the church is unique. Many famous musical groups have recorded albums here.

Notable Recordings

Tenebrae by Carlo Gesualdo, recorded by The Hilliard Ensemble (1990).
Missa Cum Iocunditate by Pierre de la Rue, also by The Hilliard Ensemble (1997).
Music from the Old Hall Manuscript by The Hilliard Ensemble (1990).
Mass For The Feast Of St. Isidore Of Seville by Cristobal de Morales. This was recorded by the Gabrieli Consort & Players (2003).
A New Venetian Coronation 1595 by the Gabrieli Consort & Players (2012).
Handel Organ Concertos by Baroque Belles and David Willcocks (1999).
Music by MacMillan and other British composers. This was recorded by the choir of New College, Oxford (2006).
Rutter: Requiem by the choir of Clare College, Cambridge (2003).

Gallery

A view of Douai Abbey
The Abbey and its former school
Inside the Abbey church

Douai Abbey facts for kids

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