Colwyn Bay, 1910 - 2011

The Convent in Colwyn Bay was opened as a branch house of the Oldham Congregation in 1910. The Sisters came with the intention of starting a Convalescent Home. They soon discovered that the greater need was for education. With the characteristic adaptability of Sisters of Mercy in the face of need they put the Convalescent project on hold and for twenty years ran a Preparatory School until the local Catholic School, St. Joseph's opened. They continued to teach there until the late 1970s. In the late sixties the earlier intention of the care of sick and elderly was revisited. Many elderly people came to retire in Colwyn Bay and the need for a nursing and respite care was very apparent. Plans were made and work began on building a convalescent home in what had been the back garden of the convent. Fortunately, the Sisters were able to acquire "Plas Awelan" the house adjoining the convent garden and incorporate it into the new building. Thus the Convent of Mercy Nursing Home was born. It was officially opened on May 1970, by the Mayor of Colwyn Bay and the Bishop Petit of Menevia. As more sisters were trained for nursing, health care and catering, the project was extended. A third storey was added in the 1980s and to mark the Silver Jubilee of the Home in 1985, a new Conservatory was built. In 2003, it was decided to embark on a further programme of extension and modernization so that the Home would meet the requirements of modern Care Standards in Wales. A new wing was built with eight new bed rooms thus enabling the installation of en-suite facilities throughout the home. This work was completed in February 2005. The Home was renamed: "The Convent of Mercy Care Home”. The Mercy Community is under the same roof but separate from the Home. The sisters form a diverse group, some nurses some ‘retired’ teachers. It is their privilege to care for many of sick and dying sisters in the Home and who are considered as part of the community. While care of the sick and dying is now the primary way in which ‘mercy is the business of our lives' Colwyn Bay community also contribute to the life of the parish and local Community. 'It is a special favour of God to be made the servants of his suffering creatures.' (Catherine McAuley Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy) [Adapted from http://www.ourladyofmercy.org.uk/whereweare/dsp-default.cfm?loadref=132. On 30 June 2013Accessed by C Heron]