Saint Mary's Abbey, Colwich

St Mary's Abbey of English Benedictine nuns had its origins in 1623 at Cambrai in the Spanish Netherlands. At that time, persecution made it impossible for women to become nuns in England. By 1645, the Cambrai community under Abbess Catherine Gascoigne had increased to 50 nuns, and was living in conditions of extreme poverty. On 6 February 1652, the community was established in Paris as the Priory of Our Lady of Good Hope under Dame Bridget More as their Prioress. She was a direct descendant of the martyr, St Thomas More, and had been taught at Cambrai under the spiritual supervision of the mystical theologian, Dom Augustine Baker.

The abbey was first built around 1750 as a house, which was gradually enlarged. The abbey buildings are mainly in stone, with parts in brick and parts rendered, and with slate roofs. The main building is in Gothic Revival style, and on the front are two turrets with a gabled section between. At the rear are various buildings arranged around a courtyard, and the grounds are enclosed by tall brick walls. It is Grade II listed. The mortuary chapel in the grounds of the abbey is also Grade II.