Nuns close century-old centre

A RETREAT and conference centre run by the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy is to close its doors after 114 years, writes Joanna Moorhead.

The Endsleigh Centre in Hull originally functioned as a training college for women teachers, but over the years it grew to become an extensive education hub for the Catholic community in the city. By the 1960s it had 450 students, and thousands of trainee teachers have passed through its doors over the last century.

In the 1970s the sisters withdrew from the college and sold the buildings, although the convent continued to function as a retreat centre. In recent years, however, visitor numbers decreased and an attempt to create a thriving bed-and-breakfast business also failed.

Institute of Our Lady of Mercy leader Sr Colette Cronin said she realised the news of closure would be a shock to all those associated with it. “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,” she said.

A full consultation process with staff at the centre with regard to the closure has begun.