Alnwick, 1869-2006

When and why was the house opened? Mr. Simmonds knew Fr. Robert parish priest of Alnwick and the Sisters in Guernsey. He advised Fr. Robert to invite the Sisters to come and “take charge of the school, visit the sick, and instruct converts.” On 13th October 1890, Mother Evangelist, Sisters Gertrude Morley, Baptist Caffrey, Veronica Trenchard and Magdalen Mason arrived in Alnwick from Cordier Hill, Guernsey. Fr. Robert rented 12 Bailiffgate, and later Mother Evangelist bought the property. The Alnwick area of Northumberland is sparsely populated and children would have had no possibility of a Catholic Education. Local people quickly recognised the value of the education provided by the Sisters and, even though not Catholic, they too were happy to send their children to the schools.

Significant developments in our Mercy Ministry Mother Evangelist was a great business woman and a qualified teacher and quickly started her building projects. At the end of 1897 a new extension was built, including the bedrooms, refectory, novitiate, and the chapel and the first postulant, Sister Agnes, joined the community. She was soon followed, by others, some of whom had been teaching, others ready to study or help to keep the home fires burning. The second half of the Convent was built and ready for use by the private school in 1917. Evening classes were made available for the adults in English, French, Cookery and Needlework. St John’s Primary School was making very good progress, and Sr. Berchmans became the Head in 1901. Over the years several Sisters joined the Staff. Sisters withdrew from St. John’s in 1992. The new Convent School building was opened in 1962 and the school had excellent results and was already recognised as efficient by the Ministry of Education. It was passed over to a Trust in 1993.

Branch Houses Alnwick established three Branch Houses. Crook was opened in 1910 with Sisters Antonia and Cuthbert taking over the very successful school. In 1993 the Sisters withdrew. Felton School was given to the Sisters in 1935 and Sisters Winifred, Gerard and Gabriel served there. The Convent and school of Esh, County Durham, was the third Branch House where Sister Anna Ryan served as Head Teacher of the school for 31 years until retirement from teaching in 2010 and the subsequent closure of the house.

How our Community is making Mercy the business of our lives today The Convent was refurbished and became two units, one of which was leased to the Mental Health Authority. The Community of seven Sisters offers "a listening ear" to all they meet in their daily lives. Ministries are in the parishes of Alnwick and Seahouses; with Mercy Associates; in St. John’s School; and as Community Annalist. The Sisters try to make Mercy the business of their lives by being a prayerful presence and available to all met.

[Taken from Institute of Our Lady of Mercy website: http://www.ourladyofmercy.org.uk/whereweare/dsp-default.cfm?loadref=122, accessed 15 April 2013 by K. Johnston.]