Heritage Open Days at St Mary’s Convent, Handsworth

Outside Catherine McAuley’s bedroom at St Mary’s Convent during Heritage Open Days. Far right is Sr Brigid McNally (Union Sister) and next to her is Veronica Drinkwater, a past pupil of St Mary’s Convent School.

Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture.  Every year, for a long weekend in September, places open their doors to celebrate heritage, community and history.  As part of this effort, the Sisters at St Mary’s Convent in Handsworth opened their doors on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th September for visitors to experience a tour of the convent and to learn some of the history of the Sisters of Mercy, and particularly their story in Birmingham.
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The tours were led by Sisters Brigid McNally (Union), 
Marie McGrogan (Union) and Noreen Cullen (Institute) as well as St Mary’s volunteer and Mercy Associate Damian Kerley and Union Sisters of Mercy GB Archivist Jenny Smith.  I think we were all struck by the enthusiasm of the crowds visiting, and by the numbers of visitors – almost 90 over the two days.  Many were fascinated to see inside a convent and to meet the sisters – something they had never experienced before. 


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Far left is Jenny Smith, Union Sisters of Mercy GB Archivist. Far right is Sr Noreen Cullen (Institute Sister of Mercy)

​Many live in the very near locality but were unaware of the existence of St Mary’s.  This is why participation in such an event is so important.  It opens up such a significant place of faith and culture to locals and fosters pride and interest in their area.  For the Sisters, they can see how the convent and the Mercy story is appreciated by such a wide audience, and can even tell their own stories.

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In St Mary’s Convent refectory (Mercy Cup of Tea) L-R; Jenny Smith, Union Sisters of Mercy GB Archivist; Sr Marie McGrogan (Union Sister); centre is Bleain (St Mary’s Convent volunteer), surrounded by visitors to the Heritage Open Days.

​As each tour was rounded off by the famous Mercy cup of tea and Mercy hospitality, provided by Sister Brendan Murphy (Institute) and volunteer Bleain, it was easy to see the Mercy charism and welcome at work as people digested and reflected on all they had seen in the cloisters.  For my part, I hope St Mary’s continues to participate in the Heritage Open Days event for many years to come.

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Some comments from visitors:
“Brilliant”   “informative, enjoyable and good to have an adult cultural experience”  
“Very interesting and welcoming – thoroughly enjoyed it” 
“This increases my knowledge of the area I live in”  
​“A valuable opportunity to visit places one otherwise would never get to see, and a chance to learn more about local heritage”  
 
Jenny Smith
Archivist, Union of the Sisters of Mercy of Great Britain
September 2017