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Background

Minsteracres Retreat Centre, located in beautiful Northumberland, is owned by the Passionists (Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ) and run on their behalf by a board of governors. In addition to the retreat programme, we also provide short breaks for carers and for the families and friends of people affected by substance misuse. We hold away days for refugees and asylum-seekers: our beautiful grounds provide people, particularly the children and the young people, with the scope for walks, football and other games, and open-air picnics. Many organisations come here to run their own retreats or other events. The centre is known for its homely atmosphere, warm hospitality and tranquillity. Set in approximately 90 acres of lawns, parks and woodland, it is renowned for its avenue of sequoiadendron giganteum (Californian giant redwood trees). The wonderful arboretum (known as The Shrubbery) is currently being reclaimed by a team of volunteers. We are developing a 'green' agenda (we are composting, recycling and installing energy-saving bulbs as a start). We are interested in working with people of other faiths and cultures, and initiatives are already being developed.

A Short History

In the middle of the eighteenth century the Silvertop family bought land at Minsteracres and built a Mansion. The family also established a Roman Catholic Mission and made provisions for a priest to look after the spiritual needs of the Roman Catholics in the area. The family encouraged local people to develop their gifts and talents. They also developed the Estate which still constitutes an integral part of Minsteracres and is enjoyed by many people.

In 1949 the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ (Passionists) bought the Mansion and around 110 acres of the original Estate. The objective of this Congregation, which was founded in Italy in the 18th century, consists in keeping alive the Memory of the Passion of Christ. At the heart of our vision is reaching out to people who find themselves in situations of disempowerment.

To begin with Minsteracres became a centre of formation for Passionist candidates to the priesthood. The Passionists also assumed pastoral responsibility for the Catholics in the area which developed into the worshipping community that is known as St. Elizabeth’s Parish. In the 1960s the old stable block was converted into a Retreat House and retreat work gradually became the main activity of Minsteracres. Initially retreats were organised mainly for people from a Roman Catholic background. People from other denominations and none were soon included. Outreach to local people assumed a new dimension through employment projects in the 1980s.