St Mary's Abbey, Colwich facts for kids
 Location in Staffordshire
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | St Mary's Abbey, Colwich |
| Order | Benedictine |
| Established | 1623 |
| Dedicated to | St Mary |
| Diocese | Birmingham |
| Controlled churches | St Mary's Abbey |
| Site | |
| Location | Colwich, Staffordshire, England |
| Coordinates | 52°47′24″N 1°59′22″W / 52.7900°N 1.9895°W |
Saint Mary's Abbey in Colwich, Staffordshire was a special home for Roman Catholic nuns. These nuns were part of the English Benedictine Congregation. The abbey was first started in 1623 in Cambrai, which is now in Belgium. It closed down in 2020. During the French Revolution, the nuns had to leave France. They finally settled in Colwich, England, in 1836.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
How It Started
The St Mary's Abbey community began in 1623 in Cambrai. At that time, it was very difficult for women in England to become nuns. This was because of persecution, meaning they were treated badly for their beliefs. The community grew, and by 1645, there were 50 nuns. They lived in very tough conditions. In 1652, the community moved to Paris, France.
Moving to England
During the French Revolution, the abbey was shut down. The nuns were even put in prison for a while. When they were set free in 1795, they moved to England. They first lived in Dorset and then in Cannington in Somerset. In 1836, they finally found a permanent home in Colwich. They moved into an old building called Mount Pleasant. This building was later rebuilt in a Gothic style, which looks like old castles.
In 1928, the community was given the higher title of an Abbey. Its name was changed to St Mary's Abbey. The nuns also had a smaller community in Atherstone, Warwickshire. But in 1967, those nuns returned to Colwich. The Atherstone property was sold.
The Abbey Closes
In May 2020, the abbey had fewer and fewer nuns. Because of this, the Holy See (the main authority of the Catholic Church) approved a plan for St Mary's Abbey to join with Stanbrook Abbey. There were only five nuns left, and two of them were unwell. The nuns decided to close the monastery completely. This happened on October 31, 2020. Two of the nuns moved to Oulton Abbey for care. Two others went to Stanbrook Abbey. The abbess, who was the leader, stayed at the Colwich site for another year. The last abbess was Dame Davina Sharp.
After the closure, the abbey property was put up for sale. Some of its furniture and items were sold at an auction.
The Abbey Buildings
The main abbey building started as a house around 1750. It was slowly made bigger over time. The buildings are mostly made of stone. Some parts are brick or covered in a smooth finish called stucco. The roofs are made of slate. The main building looks like a castle, with two towers and a pointed section in the middle. At the back, there are other buildings around a courtyard. Tall brick walls surround the grounds. The abbey is a "Grade II listed" building. This means it is an important historical building that needs to be protected. A small chapel in the grounds, used for burials, is also Grade II listed.
See also
- List of abbeys and priories
- Listed buildings in Colwich, Staffordshire
