On Friday 12th and Saturday 13th September, the team at St Mary’s Convent opened the doors to 71 visitors as part of the national Heritage Open Days and the city-wide Birmingham Heritage Week.  This is a time for people from near and far to have access to heritage sites and explore places they would otherwise not have experienced. 
We operated pre-bookable morning and afternoon tours on the Friday and a morning tour on the Saturday  - both followed by tea and biscuits in the original Convent refectory.  Tours were led by Sisters Brigid and Patricia, as well as Congregational Archivist Jenny Smith.  We had invaluable support from Sister Marie and the rest of St Mary’s Team and volunteers.  Tour groups even got to watch some live conservation by Katharine Ellender who is on a conservation placement from West Dean College in West Sussex.  Katharine showed the visitors the repackaging of an historic photograph collection from the Congregational Archive.
Tour visitors often comment on how interesting and peaceful the convent is.  We very much enjoy guiding people and helping them to share in the story of the Sisters of Mercy.  It is a heritage and a building that is worth sharing!

On Thursday 5th June we welcomed to St Mary’s a group of past pupils of the convent school and elementary school for our annual reunion.  This is always a very happy and noisy day, with lots of catching up to do!  This year was no different and had a joyful atmosphere of sharing memories.

After time for chatting, Sister Mary led a prayer and welcome with Archivist Jenny Smith and this was followed by an opportunity to explore the convent and take a guided tour.  This opportunity is often relished as, when children, the past pupils would have seen the convent as somewhat of a mystery – being kept largely in the separate school buildings.  Many enjoyed seeing the heritage material and archives on display, especially the old photographs.
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Following a delicious lunch in the original convent refectory, we viewed a short film entitled ‘Being a Sister of Mercy’ made from archival images and film.  This was particularly relevant for the group, containing as it did many references to, and images of, the Sisters of Mercy in schools.  After a closing discussion and prayer in the Chapel, all left with a smile, happy to have spent a day at St Mary’s with people who share many similar childhood memories. 
 
Jenny Smith
Archivist, Union of the Sisters of Mercy GB
June 2025

St Mary's Convent are hosting our annual past pupil reunion event on Thursday 5th June, 11 - 2.30pm.  The day will include lunch and refreshments as well as a chance to explore the convent and reminisce.

​For anybody interested in coming, please contact us to reserve a place.