Abbey of Quarr

Situation

Quarr Abbey (Abbey of Quarr, name derived from English “quarry”, in French “stone career”, because there existed at the 11th century a small career not far from the monastery), is located in the South of Great Britain on the Île of Wight, between the communes of Fishbourne and Ryde. The town of Ryde is connected by catamaran (passengers pedestrians) starting from the port of Portsmouth in the Hampshire. Fishbourne is connected by car-ferry (momentary pedestrians and motorized) starting from the port of Portsmouth in Hampshire.

History

Old abbey: This abbey was founded by Baldwin de Redvers, Seigneur of the Island of Wight in 1132. This one granted grounds close to the northern shore of the island to the abbot Geoffrey de Savigny, in order to build a monastery. This abbey was devoted in the honor of the blessed Virgin, and in 1147 the monastery was one of the first to being absorbed by the Ordre of Cîteaux. In 1536, the Dissolution of the monasteries ordered by the King Henri VIII of England put an end to the monastic life on the island as on the remainder of the kingdom. The ruins of this abbey are still visible today, they are located not far from the current Monastère.

Rebirth

New abbey: This monastery was based by the congregation bénédictine of Solesmes in France at the beginning of the 20th century, then in exile, because of the law 1901 on the religious associations and congregations. The first abbot was Dom Paul Delatte (1848-1937).

In 1901 it is firstly in “Appuldurcombe House” located close to Wroxall on the Island of Wight that the community settles. The monastery bears the name of Saint Peter' S Abbey. It remains there during several years, but decides at the end of the lease of hiring to leave this place in 1907.

In June 1907 the community buys “Quarr House” located on the grounds of the old abbey, and undertakes the construction of a monastery which can shelter nearly a hundred Moines and brothers converts. Construction is entrusted to Dom Paul Bellot, architect and monk of the community. Work begins the same year, the unit is gigantic and will require 300 workmen and craftsmen during several years. Emménagement in the new monastery will be done in several phases, thus following the completion of the various buildings. The last monks will integrate the monastery in 1911 and the church will be devoted in 1912. The grounds around the monastery are immense and cultivable with glazing bar giving on the beach.

Modern times

In 1922 the community joined France and Solesmes, leaving behind it, a flourishing monastery which will become a Prieuré in 1925 and a Abbaye in 1937. Today, the community is British, the last French monk of Quarr Abbey is deceased it there has only a few years and rests in the cemetery of the monastery at the sides of the monks French founders and English monks.

Today, Quarr Abbey is always attached to the Congrégation of Solesmes.

Internal bonds

Dom Guéranger
Paul Takes laths off
Ordre of Saint-Beno4it cheese
Saint-Benoît
Monachisme
Règle of saint Benoît

External bonds

Internet site of the Saint Pierre Abbey of Solesmes
Congregation of Solesmes
Internet site of the abbey of Quarr

Random links: