Hundred-year-old Augustinian community forced to close

FALLING numbers have forced the closure of an Augustinian community founded more than a century ago, writes Paul Wilkinson.

Park House, at Crosby on Merseyside has been run since 1902 by the Sisters of the Congregation of the Canonesses Regular Hospitallers of the Mercy of Jesus of the Order of St Augustine of Hippo. It has had many roles, from a convalescence and nursing hospital, to caring for wounded soldiers of the First World War. In 1999 it was converted to a residential house.

Sr Marian, 61, and the head of the community,  said: “It’s an old house and needs maintenance. Our community  are just eight, we’re all quite elderly and have to move on. The Sisters are very upset, for it will mean leaving everything we’ve known.”