St Gertrudes Convent - Whalley Range

[lostnconfused]

We are fortunate to have an  unusual story in the family, one that involves a courtship with a resident of a convent. If verbal family history is to be belived.

The records we have discovered, in the main a census record, seem to back up the idea that my G GF was working  as a gardener, whilst my G GM was resident within St. Gertrudes RC Convent, Manchester. They courted, married, and for a period of time resided as a married couple (her with child for part of it) within the convent.

What we would like to know is what she was doing in the convent in the first place? We know that she was widowed after 2 years of her 1st marriage (but she wasnt necessarily considered young - recorded as 27 but believed to be 30ish) but we would like to know more.

Does anyone have any info' or piccies of St Gertrudes in Whalley Range Manchester or does anyone know of a good (and possibly free) resource for gathering such info'.

Thanks, in anticpation.

[bursy]

Hi
St Gertrudes Convent was situated on Alexandra Road South, opposite Alexandra Park and on the next block to St Bedes RC College.
It either underwent a name change or was also known as The Cenacle Convent. I knew it as the Cenacle.

Alan Godfrey maps produce one that shows the Convent -
111.02    1905 Whalley Range

You could try Manchester Archive & Local Studies at
www.manchester.gov.uk/libraries/arls/index.htm
they have an online image collection

Hope this helps
Regards, Dave

[lostnconfused]

Thanks for that, the name change is intersting. When did that take place, any idea?

Andy

[bursy]

Hi Andy
I remember it as the Cenacle in the late fifties, no idea of when or why name was changed or it could have been St Gertrude's Cenacle Convent and shortened to Cenacle.

The Cenacle Sisters are Roman Catholic nuns, still active in Manchester.
They may be able to help;

email  cenacle.man410freeserve
or
Cenacle Sisters
4 Old Birley St
Hulme
Manchester
M15 5RG

Regards, Dave

[lostnconfused]

Dave,

Thanks very much.

In the name of another Dave, Dave Allen.

'May your god go with you'

Andy

[lateandsoon]

The answers given so far are more or less accurate. I grew up in a house which overlooked the Convent grounds. I am not sure when the Convent of the Cenacle was built, possibly around the time of the first World War or possibly before that. There are photos of the site to be found in the Manchester archives.

You will find an image of the Convent here, taken in the winter in the 1960s

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/629074

The building which you can see in the foreground is a small separate house and workshop which was occupied by the groundsman/gardener at the Convent. I recollect two or three different families living there over the period when I lived nearby. So your relative may have been living in that house while working at the convent and indeed may have been married at the time. The other houses on the site, which were much larger, were not occupied by anyone but the sisters of the order as far as I remember.

Originally, the Convent was called St Gertrude's House, a name that was engraved on to a stone capping slab near the entrance gate. This was later added to by a brass plaque with the name "Convent or Our lady or the Cenacle" on it. A photo of this can be found in the Manchester Library archive. You will also be able to find reference to St Gertrude's in the census of 1891 and 1911, too. It was a French order. As a child, I attended services at the convent, my family knew some of the sisters, I and my brother also knew the gardener and was familiar with the grounds, too. There were large greenhouses and poultry sheds. I remember that one of these gardeners in the early 1960s was called Mr Forsyth who was Scottish who lived there with his wife. I have forgotten the name of previous gardener, but he had a son (?) called Robin who was probably in his twenties in the late 1950s.

The bells from the convent tower were rung every day for the masses and for the Angelus and Benediction. The Convent had a fairly close connection with St Bede's College which was on the next block on Alexandra Road South. The College now owns the former Convent building which was called the St Regis building and lies adjacent to Wellington Road. All the other buildings on the site including the two large retreat houses which fronted on to Alexandra Road South and the main Convent building have been demolished and replaced by housing.

If you want me to supply more detailed links to photos please let me know.

[WesNicholson]

Hi,

I can see it's been a few years since anyone posted on this thread, but I'm wondering if anybody remembers a nursery school on Alexandra Road that was run by nuns? I think it was part of the St Gertrude's/Cenacle convent... not sure, but that would make sense as I know it was across from Alexandra Park.

I went there back in 1982. Pretty sure it's been demolished now, but I'd still like to go back to try and visit where it used to be. If anyone remembers what the nursery was called, exactly where it was, or has any photos, that would be great.

Thanks

[Mrhodge]

I don’t know if this account is still active but I have been doing some family research and think the relations you mention are also my relations. Would be good to talk to you more about this.