Nuns complete sale of former abbey

AN ORDER of nuns has completed the multi-million-pound sale of their former abbey to finance the development of their new home in North Yorkshire.

The Benedictine Community of Our Lady of Consolation moved into Stanbrook Abbey at Wass, near Helmsley, in May last year, but it was revealed only six months later that they were running short of funds.

A total of 5m had been spent on building the abbey close to the ruins of Rievaulx and Byland abbeys, but it emerged in October last year that a further 4m was needed for a church, guest accommodation and library.

However, Mother Abbess Dame Andrea Savage confirmed yesterday that the nuns’ former abbey in Callow End in Worcestershire, which had been the home to the order since 1838, had been sold to a company called Amazing Retreats.

The Worcestershire site had been on sale for 6m, although the price had to be reduced to 4.5m.

Dame Andrea declined to comment on the exact sale price, although she said the nuns were “very happy” with the figure.

She added: “This sale is an answer to many prayers. Whilst we are sad to finally let the property go, we look forward to putting our energy and resources into continuing the process of becoming rooted in our new home.

“This sale allows us to finish paying for phase one of the new abbey in North Yorkshire – most importantly, as we are a religious community, we can now begin to raise funds to build a church, which we need to be able to welcome properly all who wish to come and worship with us.”

The Benedictine Community of Our Lady of Consolation was had been based in Worcestershire since 1838.

The new monastery is the home for 22 nuns.