"We are Strangers and Pilgrims in this land.
We, are free citizens of Heaven, and we are waiting with longing for the coming of a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ."
Philippians 3:20
In the year 1212 St Clare heard the call to follow St Francis. In her lifetime many women chose to follow 'The Gospel way of life' after St Clares example. Foundations were made all over Europe. Blessed Ermentrude of Bruges, who personally wrote to St Clare, brought the flame of this way of life to Belgium.
St Colette foundened a Community of Poor Clares in Bruges in 1457. In the mid-19th century this Poor Clare Community under the direction of the Abbess at the time, Mother Dominque, made four foundations in England - London, Birmingham, Manchester and York. These in due course made further foundations.
The Hawarden Community was founded from London in 1928 and the Nottingham house from Manchester in 1929. In 2018 the Sisters in Hawarden moved to Nottingham to join the Sisters there. Unfortunately they soon discovered that the building was in sore need of repair and became unfit for the purpose. The Sisters considered rebuilding, but this did not prove to be feasible. For health and safety reasons the Community needed to leave in 2021. Temporary accommodation was found for them by the Diocese, though this meant the community was split into different presbyteries. The Franciscan Mineress also kindly housed six of the sisters.
In 1994 the Poor Clares in Bullingham, a community founded from London, moved to a newly built property in Much Birch, where they were later joined by Sisters from Darlington. In 2022, due to decreasing numbers this convent was set for closure. Sisters from Nottingham were offered the opportunity to purchase the Monastery, and this offer was accepted. In May 2023 the Community was once more united under one roof for the Praise and Glory of God. We are pleased to say that the Poor Clare life, which has been handed down through the generations, now continues here at Our Lady of the Angels Much Birch.