The Immaculate Conception, Stroud

A large complex of stone-built blocks centred on a chapel, it could house up to 500 paupers. Footnote 25

"STROUD or Stroudwater is 30 miles from Bristol, 14 from Cheltenham and nine from Gloucester City. It was the centre of the clothing trade in 1830, with mills every few hundred yards on every river. In the census of 1821 the parish had 7,097 inhabitants." Footnote 16

It may be worthy to note that when Bishop Baines visited Rome in 1840, he estimated that the number of Catholics in the 16 missions in Gloucester, Somerset and Wiltshire was 13,014. Footnote 10

Catholicism revival in Stroud in the mid 19th century.

In the mid 18th century members of a family called Lacy, who owned a house in Sheepscombe tithing (but probably lived elsewhere) were recorded as recusants in the Gloucester Records office. Footnote 1

Within Stroud, Catholicism was being revived by a group of Ladies who later went on to become 'Third Order Dominicans'. From the early 1840's the Hon Mrs Stapleton, a Catholic came to live in the Grange close to where our church is now. As the nearest church was at Woodchester - she converted a room in her home into a chapel for Holy mass.

The Passionists arrived from Italy in March 1846, occupying a house in Nailsworth whilst the church was being built; it cost £9,000 to construct. Footnote 11

Northfield Parsonage in Nailsworth (now known as Beech Tree House , also known as 'The Quarry) was for a brief period in the 1840s the home of the Passionist Fathers. They were brought to the town by William Leigh (of Woodchester Mansion) and who established the Catholic Church of the Annunciation in Woodchester, before handing over to the Dominican order after the church was consecrated in 1849. Footnote 13

The Great Western Railway line from Swindon to Gloucester, via Stroud opened in 1845.

However, Father Dominic Barberi never lived to see it complete. He suffered a heart attack on 27 August 1849 on a train journey from London to Woodchester and died in a room at the railway hotel in Reading where he had been taken. On 27 October 1963, he was beatified by Pope Paul VI. Footnote 19

The Passionists had decided to move on. The foundation was then offered to the Dominican Order who were seeking a noviciate in England. They occupied the monastery until 1970, when dwindling numbers forced its abandonment and subsequent demolition, leaving just the church itself. Footnote 14

Roughly at the same time a Vicar's Widow by the name of Mrs Emily Sandy (a convert) daughter of Col. Cleaveland opened a small school in London Road for Catholic children. This had two rooms, which were converted, into a chapel for Sunday mass - said by a Priest from Woodchester. Footnote 2

Mrs Sandys converted in the early 1840's to Catholicism and was the Widow of the Rev. G. Sandys, MA. His Sister Miss Sandys also converted at the same time. Footnote 27

Later Mrs Emily Sandy was joined by a Elizabeth Matthews.

Elizabeth Matthews was born in Wootton under Edge and lived at her employers a Mr Edwin Bucknall and his seven sons who she cared for. One day having met a Priest who called into Mr Bucknall's shop, curiosity led her to visit the nearby church of Woodchester. Later she converted and would walk to Woodchester to hear mass and run back to her Employers home in time to serve breakfast for her charges.. Footnote 2

The fifth born son of Mr Edwin & Mary Bucknall was Benjamin, the well-known Architect - born at Rodborough in 1833. At 17, he worked as a millwright, but he was interest in medieval art and crafts and later joined the Clifton offices of the architect Charles Hansom. Benjamin became a Catholic in 1852 and went on to be a brilliant architect who was strongly influenced by Pugin's styles. It is thought that Bucknall used Pugin's design as a basis for Woodchester Mansion. Work on the mansion started in the mid 1850s and continued until the late 1860s. Bucknall drew on Viollet-le-Duc's researches into medieval construction methods when building the mansion and the St. Rose's convent Beeches Green, which benefited from Gothic stone construction principles. Footnote 11

They both later became Third order Dominicans. Footnote 3 and the numbers of Catholic converts grew in Stroud because of their dedication.

The first Priest was Bernard Morewood O.P. and he served for 4 years. Footnote 7

The Architect for the Church was Charles Alban Buckler, and the Church has Historic protection. Footnote 12

It was also extended in between 1888 -95 to Bucknell's design.

Bucknall was much influenced by the purist Gothic style promoted by Viollet-le-Duc, he visited him in France and corresponded with him, and later translated his works on architecture into English. Fortunately, this convent with stone rainwater gutters, prominent corbels, staircase turret with pyramidal sprocketed roof, with some Caernarvon arches is of Historic importance and now protected. Footnote 12

The building was greatly funded by William Leigh. Fortunately, the application to demolish this wonderful building in 1978 to make provision of vehicular access was refused, and is now listed.

Benjamin Bucknall married Henrietta Mary H. King on May 1st 1862 in a Catholic Chapel in Northampton even though at the time Bucknall was living at Beeches Green in Stroud. 1863 Mary Josephine, was born in Stroud, the first of four children, she was educated at St. Rose's convent school and later found fulfilment as a nun in St Rose's Convent in Stroud. Footnote 11

His Sister eventually became a prioress.

In 1800, 'Badbrook House' was recorded as being owned by Thomas Holbrow.Footnote 17

It was built for him in 1794, and was located on the corner of Merrywalks and Beeches Green.

The building purchased by the Dominican Tertiaries was called 'Badbrook House' and had significant grounds - the purchase was in 1912. This was on the site of the current Pastoral centre - and was in poor condition. By acquiring the house and land, it secured to block the purchase by others who may have used for unsuitable purpose. After the purchase a Mr Hunter suggested that it could be used for the purpose of care and education of disabled youngsters - since their was not a school with these provisions in this area. They set out to have the building adapted for this purpose. The Sisters never had the funds - and the loan was supported through donations and payment for provision of care. The first Child taken in was said to be blind baby -and was cared for by the novices. The school was called St Roses. The building was eventually knocked down and the present Pastoral centre buildings stand on the same ground. Footnote 4

Some of the remaining schoolroom exists behind the pastoral centre. Part of the building was demolished to make way for the widening of Merrywalks road by the Bus depot. The stable block for Badbrook house still stands and in use and can be found in Bath Street next to the pedestrian ramp by the Cinema.

The Immaculate Conception Church was never completed because school buildings were erected on the chancel site Footnote 3

Dominican Priests served the parish until 1940, from which time it has been served by members of Secular Clergy. Footnote 3 See also the list of Priests.

It has been served by a Priest from Stroud since 1972 when the congregation numbered 50. Footnote 7

The Stroud Dominican Sisters of St Catherine of Siena work in various jobs in the Parish and community. They have the St Rose's special school for children with physical and allied special needs, and they are always available for advice.

In July 1964, it was decided to close the senior school - as St Peter's R C High School opened on the Stroud Road, Gloucester. The Children transferred by a bus service laid on. So the convent schooling at Beeches green for all ages was terminated.

The senior pupils left to attend St. Peter's Secondary School and, under the headship of Mr Tom McCarthy, the Rosary Primary School opened with 200 pupils on the roll. Footnote 9

The Official Opening and Blessing of the new school was performed by the Bishop of Clifton on 26th March 1968. The school has continued to enjoy a high standard of education and care of its children. Footnote 9

In 1972, Locking Hill practice moved to the Health Centre at Beeches Green.