Guernsey, 1888 - 1993, bulk: 1956 - 1993
Scope and Contents
Consists of records, photographs, plans and correspondence collected and accumulated by the Alderney and Guernsey community of the Sisters of Mercy
Dates
- Creation: 1888 - 1993
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1956 - 1993
Conditions Governing Access note
As a private archive, access to the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy Archive requires application to the Archivist and approval by the Institute's Leadership Team. Where items are closed for access, this is indicated at the appropriate level.
Biographical / Historical
The Norbertine Priests had been involved in Guernsey for centuries until they were forced to quit, for three centuries Blanchelande was without religious until the sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary bought it.
For over fifty years, they taught in Boarding and Day Schools in Blanchelande, but post-war restrictions and reduction in personnel led the Community to withdraw from Guernsey in 1956.
In 1948 a small group of Sisters of Mercy from Abingdon had joined the Sister of a former Community in Alderney wishing to return to the island from which German occupation had forced an abrupt evacuation in 1940. Under the leadership of Mother M. Ethelburga O’Callaghan, Alderney Convent of Mercy was refounded. In 1956 Archbishop King who had asked the Sisters to leave Abingdon for Alderney, approached the Community with the request that they now leave Alderney in favour of Guernsey. The Sisters accepted this new challenge and the Press in Guernsey commented “They came with no material assets and faced a tremendous task both financially and educationally.”
From the outset, developing an educational programme was a priority and financing it was a cause of great concern because of the high costs of providing new equipment, buildings and the rising cost of teachers’ salaries. These challenges were courageously met. By 1971 Blanchelande was the only recognised Grammar School for Girls on the island and Scholarships were granted by the States of Guernsey for Catholic girls to attend the school.
The Community was also involved in a great variety of external Mercy apostolates, but by the early 1980’s the future of Blanchelande was in the balance because of falling numbers of vocations, ever-rising costs in education, and reduction in the demand for boarding facilities. It was between 1990 and 1993 that the Sisters withdrew from Guernsey leaving behind them a legacy of excellence in education and of care for the sick, poor and elderly.
[Taken from http://www.ourladyofmercy.org.uk/ourstory/dsp-default.cfm?loadref=105. On 05 June 2013 accessed by C Heron]
Full Extent
3 boxes (2.0 volumes 9.0 folders 6.0 envelopes)
Language of Materials
From the Fonds: English
Arrangement
The subfonds is arranged into five series and one file that reflect the content and context of the collection. Original order has been recreated where possible.
Other Finding Aids
A Microsoft Access database lists correspondence to item level. Former reference numbers have been recorded within the Location Note at file and/or item level.
Custodial History
The archives of the Guernsey Community have been collected by the sisters from 1948 when sisters from Abingdon agreed to form a community on Alderney. Then the sisters moved to Guernsey and the archives were kept by the Reverend Mother, the Bursar and the Assistant who would have controlled the finances, property, and spiritual life. On its closure the archives came to the Institute's central archive.
Accruals
Further accruals are possible from the former Guernsey Community, including individual donations by Sisters, and possibly a profession register. It has yet to be decided whether personal papers will be stored in this part of the collection, should the question arise.
Repository Details
Part of the Bermondsey Convent of Mercy Repository