Hull: Endsleigh retreat centre to close

The Endsleigh Centre

The Institute of Our Lady of Mercy, announced today, Monday 19 January 2015, that "after careful consideration and with great sadness", they are proposing to close the Endsleigh Centre in the Spring of 2015. A full consultation process with the staff of the Centre in relation to the proposed closure has begun. The Trustees will be working with the staff to ensure that the Centre will continue to be run professionally throughout this process.

In a statement the Institute says: "Contact will be made with the many patrons and guests of the Centre to explain the proposed closure and, if necessary, to help them find alternative venues for their events. The Trustees deeply regret anyinconvenience that may be caused by this announcement.

"Unfortunately, despite repeated and sustained efforts to encourage more individuals to visit the Centre, the numbers attending retreats have been declining for some time. Similarly, it is proving difficult for the conference and bed and breakfast business to make any contribution towards the charitable works of the Institute.

Sister Colette, the Institute Leader said: “We realise that this announcement will come as an unwelcome shock for all those associated with the Centre. We would like to thank the Management Committee of the Centre for their efforts, the committed staff of the Centre and the many volunteers who continue to give of their time to help us in our work. I would also like to express my gratitude to Sister Catherine, the Director of the Centre for the last 13 years, and to the other Sisters who have lived and worked at the Centre over the years. The Endsleigh Centre has played a big part in the lives of so many Sisters who have dedicated their lives to the furthering of Catholic education. As we consider the future, we remember all who passed through its corridors and contributed to the work of the Sisters of Mercy.”

The Sisters of Mercy first arrived in Hull in 1856 in response to a request from the Parish Priest of St Charles’ Hull to take charge of the education of Catholic children in the City. After some years in Wilton Street and Analby Road, Endsleigh was opened as a Convent on the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians in 1901 and was dedicated to St Anthony.

In 1905 in response to a request from the Catholic Education Council, a Training College for Women Teachers was opened on the site. At the outset the College had only 16 students but over the years further buildings were added and Endsleigh College grew into an extensive complex dedicated to the training of teachers and the furtherance of Catholic education. The College survived both wars largely unscathed, though the students were evacuated to Waplington near York for a short time.

By 1960 the College was extended to cater for a three-year Course for Student Teachers as there were by then 450 students. By 1966, with accommodation for 650 students, courses leading to a Bachelor of Education degree were available. The College has trained thousands of students over seven decades.

Changes in Government Policy in the early 1970s meant that the College was faced with the choice of merging with five other Colleges to form the Hull Institute of Higher Education or to close. The College merged and over the next five years the Sisters withdrew from the College and the buildings were sold. The Sisters retained the Convent together with the College Chapel and Hall.

The training college played a central role in the life of the Sisters of Mercy, with so many of the Sisters having trained there before beginning long teaching careers. The College has made an inestimable contribution to Catholic education over seven decades and many will have fond memories of their time spent at Endsleigh.

In 1983, the Sisters joined the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy, as part of a re–organisation. The Sisters continued to live on site until 1995 when they moved to the convent on Southcoates Lane. Then the Institute took the decision to use the Endsleigh Convent as a Pastoral, Retreat and Conference Centre. The Centre sought to run a series of Days of Recollection and Residential Retreats where the Sisters continued to welcome every person, regardless of nationality or belief, to a special place for reflection, prayer, spiritual direction and counseling.

In order to supplement the spiritual works at the Centre, the Centre has more recently provided bed and breakfast accommodation and has been available for private hire as a venue for conferences and weddings.

 For more information on the centre see: www.endsleighcentre.org.uk/The_Endsleigh_Centre_-_Home.html