Chelmsford Diocesan House of Retreat Renewing our House of Prayer Registered Charity No: 249505 A division of the Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance
I fully endorse the proposals and commend this appeal to you BISHOP STEPHEN COTTRELL A life of prayer shapes both the church and us. Pleshey, although today usually referred to as a Retreat House, has for years been called a House of Prayer and plays an important part in the future of the diocese. I see Pleshey as a heartbeat of prayer, a place where people can be taught to pray and learn about a more spiritual life. It is our aim that Pleshey remains a House of Retreat but is also seen as being a House of Advance. As a House of Prayer and part of a movement to encourage people in their prayer life, Pleshey will have an impact on the people and the communities we seek to serve. I fully endorse the proposals for the refurbishment of our Diocesan Retreat House at Pleshey and commend this appeal to you.
In 1906 the nuns of the Congregation of the Servants of Christ visited Pleshey looking for new premises. So impressed were they by the peace of the place that they bought the Gatehouse with its barn, Parsonage Cottage, Garden Cottage (which stood where the Evelyn Underhill Room now stands) and land for the sum of 6,104. They moved in and were quickly joined by others. The barn proved too difficult to convert, so in 1908 it was pulled down, the new convent built and dedicated on 30th September 1909. A BRIEF HISTORY 23 nuns lived here with the Gatehouse being reserved for guests. In the years 1912-14 the convent advertised annual retreats in the Diocesan Gazette for women and clergy testing their vocations. The Diocese at this stage was St Albans. Chelmsford had yet to be established. The nuns stayed in Pleshey until 1914 when they moved to Potters Bar and eventually to Burnham. During the 1914-18 war, Belgian soldiers were sent to convalesce in the Gatehouse being cared for by Belgian nuns. The first Diocesan Retreat House Following the war the House was rented by the Diocese as a Retreat House for the sum of 82 per annum until 1927 when the Diocese Mission Society bought the property with the aid of a loan from the Board of Finance, and the first Diocesan Retreat House in this country was established. The first Warden was Annie Harvey and the Chaplain, who lived in Parsonage Cottage, was Henry Monks. It was through his persistence and vision that the house was established by the Diocese. Under successive Wardens and Chaplains the House flourished and built up a considerable spiritual tradition. Amongst the list of conductors who led retreats was Evelyn Underhill, arguably the most distinguished at that time. In 1933 a new Chapel, dedicated to The Blessed Virgin Mary, St Nicholas and All Saints, was opened and dedicated by the Bishop of Chelmsford. With this the House finally reached its maturity as a place fully charged with the spirit of prayer the silence of eternity interpreted by love. The House is a haven of peace and prayer, a spiritual power house. It is the heart beat of the Diocese, as Bishop John Waine, a past Bishop of Chelmsford, called it in his sermon at the Eucharist in March 1993 to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Chapel. Now it is time to improve the facilities offered by the House in order to meet the everyday needs of the 21st Century pilgrim. In his strategy planning paper for the Diocese of Chelmsford, Transforming Presence, Bishop Stephen asks the question As well as a place of retreat, could Pleshey become a centre for teaching about prayer and spirituality? It is with this in mind that plans have been developed to make the House accessible to all, refurbish rooms to provide en-suite services wherever possible and create additional meeting spaces. All this to be completed whilst retaining the peace and tranquillity that brought the nuns to Pleshey in the first place a quiet place within the life of the Diocese where through encounter with God we are inspired to holy living.
The Retreat House at Pleshey is situated at the edge of a small village in the heart of the Essex countryside and is a place of prayer, space and quiet reflection. The programme of Retreats and Quiet Days, many of which are suitable for people who have never been on a retreat or quiet day before, offers a calm and peaceful place within the life of the Diocese, the wider church and communities where, through encounter with God, we are inspired to holy living. Walk softly in the ways of God Listen gently to the voice of God Sit quietly in the love of God Pray humbly to the heart of God Act boldly in the strength of God Go forth in His name Since its dedication as a house of prayer in 1909 the house has served many thousands of pilgrims with space and peace, time for reflection, sanctuary, hospitality and the richness of abundant creation. It has helped them to be renewed. Now our House of Prayer needs its own renewal as it enters a new century. We will convert most of our bedrooms to en-suite and upgrade other facilities as the project progresses. Making changes, while maintaining the quiet ambience and established character, will be both challenging and costly. The work will cost in excess of 1.5 million. But we have already received a sizeable legacy which has made it possible for us to plan and complete the work under Phase 1 of the redevelopment. A quiet place within the life of the Diocese where through encounter with God we are inspired to holy living
Refurbishment proposals Working within the constraints of local planning and the ethos of the House, the plans include; Greatly improved access and facilities in all areas, especially for those with mobility constraints A new Orangery for meetings and relaxation Renovation of the Gatehouse to incorporate five en-suite bedrooms Modernisation of the easy access room on the ground floor, including a fit for purpose wet room An upgrade of the Retreat/Group Leaders suite to include en-suite facilities and private sitting room Provision of en-suite facilities to most bedrooms Improvements to the separate toilets, showers and bathrooms A new Reception area with ramp access Lift access to the first floor An enlarged Refectory Modernised kitchen area with cold-room, dry store and delivery area Development of new laundry and housekeeping rooms plus a staff-room Building for the future and the renewal of our House of Prayer
The Retreat House, Pleshey has been operating successfully for many years and is the Chelmsford Diocesan retreat house. Throughout its life, people have come to be nurtured and cared for both physically and spiritually. Some to try and discover purpose in their life, some to strengthen a faith that they already have. Members of Alcoholics Anonymous and Overeaters Anonymous and others groups come for mutual support and growth. Many come to take a time of refreshment and renewal away from the busy-ness and noise of their daily lives. We are now in need of major refurbishment and upgrading to meet the demands of the 21st century pilgrim. Our vision is to continue being a House of Prayer that is: welcoming to people of all faiths and none in Christian hospitality equipping individuals and groups for their life and work in the world, by encountering God and one another in a space of stillness and tranquility resourcing the Church and the world through prayer and spirituality. Through the refurbishment proposals put forward, the Retreat House seeks to extend further its ministry of hospitality, particularly to those who have found accessibility to the House a problem. It is now much more convenient and appropriate for wheelchair users with the provision of suitable paths to the house and level floors within. Through the provision of additional meeting rooms and spaces, areas will be created for breakout and discussion groups. THE HOUSE IS NOW IN NEED OF MAJOR REFURBISHMENT AND UPGRADING The Renewal Project will: Resource the diocese as a centre of teaching prayer and deepening spirituality; Meet rising expectations of user base: being fit for purpose: Modest excellence in our facilities rather than luxury; Stay true to the vision of being a retreat house not a commercial centre; Remain affordable relative to the market and for those who cannot afford the service but need it most; Achieve modern standards of Safety and Accessibility; Maximise what can be done in the space available; Financial: cover full costs and generate surplus to allow for continual renewal in the future. The programme of work consists of a number of subprojects and activities, all of which have been prioritised to use available funds to best effect in provision of much needed new facilities. The first phase consisted of three blocks of work and was completed in December 2014. This has provided improvement to the Retreat Leaders suite, including ensuite facilities as well as a complete re-fit of the Gatehouse which now has 5 en-suite bedrooms and refurbished kitchen. The final block of work has seen a major upgrade to the easy access room (St Francis), the building of the Orangery, a new accessible toilet and changing the path and corridor levels at the rear of the house to improve wheelchair accessibility. Future phases will be commissioned and developed in line with availability of funds. As a priority these will include the upgrading of most first floor bedrooms to have ensuite facilities and the provision of a platform lift. The main entrance, stairs, kitchen and dining facilities will be upgraded following on from these. Within all this, essential services and infrastructure, such as power and water supplies and fire protection will also be renewed to support the new facilities being implemented. The complete cost is expected to be in excess of 1.5m.
REFURBISHMENT PROGRESS - Phase 1 has now been completed The whole project has been broken into a number of phases that will allow the House to continue welcoming and providing hospitality throughout. A wonderfully generous legacy has given the ability to actually start the project. Phase One has seen the start of an exciting project to build for the future of the House The first two parts of Phase One has seen the completion of a new Retreat Leaders Suite and refurbishment of the Gatehouse. The new Retreat Leaders Suite gives visitors an opportunity to see what the rest of the project can achieve in terms of facilities and decor, and hence set the tone for the refurbishment of other rooms. The upgrade in the Gatehouse has created five en-suite bedrooms. Along with the refurbished kitchen and sitting room, this gives a comfortable, self-contained facility if required. The third part of Phase One has seen the provision of the Orangery, a substantial redesign of the St Francis Room, installation of accessible toilet facilities and changing the path and corridor levels for better access to the house. Associated upgrades to the 'services' (electricity and water supply) as necessary have also been carried out. The old pergola was taken down and a new Orangery built in its place. Not only providing much needed extra meeting space but this also provides the ability to accommodate, when suitable, the hosting of multiple groups using the House.
The House of Retreat is a place where people from all walks of life come to seek God and to search for the spiritual in their lives. They come to a place many have called a thin place between heaven and earth. Welcomed into a safe environment, visitors are enabled to A legacy to the Retreat House, Pleshey is a gift tha explore their relationship with God and deepen their prayer. Building live on on the for tradition years of Evelyn to come. Underhill in her assertion that retreatants should be warm, comfortable and well fed. The survival of the Retreat House at Pleshey must never be taken for granted. From the de The Diocesan of the House House of Retreat of Prayer at in Pleshey 1909, the house has been a centre for prayer and retreat. Howev continues the vision the past of those few years who many established retreat houses have closed due to lack of support or through lack this House of Prayer Much in money 1909 as has a place been of required peace to keep the house up to date to meet Health and Safety St and stillness More where work we is can being come undertaken into the so that we can meet the needs of the 21 st Century pilgrim. W to install a lift to the first floor and provide en-suite facilities for retreatants, as well as upgra presence of God and rediscover the power of his kitchen and dining facilities. We also propose the creation of a new meeting room, the Oran love. The simple and and an beautiful improved Chapel reception provides area with easy access to the house for those with mobility prob a focus for individuals a registered and groups charity, to be what still. we It can is achieve will depend almost entirely on voluntary gifts and a sacred space, from both our part supporters of the world people and who cherish our retreat house in Pleshey. away from the pressures of the world, that is How suffused to make with a legacy the light to The of Christ. Retreat House, Pleshey How to make your Will If you would like to remember the Retreat House in your If you haven t already made a Will, we would As guardians of will, this there spiritual are several treasure types we of wish legacy to that you can you use the services of a Solicitor or other p ensure consider: its future within the Diocese of adviser to do so. It need not be expensive, a professional advice will ensure that your wis Chelmsford Residuary and the Legacy wider community. this comes out We of the remainder of properly recorded and followed. Before you visualize this resource your estate both after building all other legacies, on the past debts, tax and professional adviser, it may save time to con expenses have been paid. It may comprise the whole or a and taking a find out what information you should have w share leading of the role residual in helping amount. individuals All legacies are greatly you see them. and groups welcomed to develop but this fresh type expressions of legacy has of special benefits as its value keeps faith pace for the with 21the st Century. increase in value of your Making simple changes estate, offsetting the effect of inflation. It is very easy to amend an existing will to in legacy to The Retreat House. Your professio Specific Legacy a gift of a particular item such as will help you draw up a form called a codicil property or shares. your personal circumstances have changed may be required; your professional adviser w Pecuniary Legacy a specified cash sum. To ensure the value of your gift reflects your changing circumstances and the effect of inflation, you should review pecuniary legacy amounts regularly. If you are leaving a legacy to The Retreat House, it would be very helpful if we could have a note of it. If you would like to do this, please make use of the attached pledge form. The Retreat House, Pleshey The House of Retreat The Street Pleshey Chelmsford Essex CM3 1HA guide you on this. Your gift can reduce tax liability Under current law, when you make a beque registered charity such as The Retreat Hous of your gift is deducted from the value of you before any tax liability is calculated; it is com from Inheritance Tax and therefore can redu liability on your estate. tel: 01245 237251 email: retreathouse.pleshey@virgin.net web: www.retreathousepleshey.com Twitter: @RetreatPleshey Facebook: The Retreat House, Pleshey Pledging your gift: If you have remembered The Retreat House in your Will (an notified us previously), it would be a great help to us if you could just complete an note to let us know but please be aware there is no obligation to do so and it is any way. The Retreat House fully respects the privacy of your Will. Please tick the relevant boxes: The Chelmsford Name Diocesan House of Retreat is a Division of the Chelmsford I Diocesan have already Board included of Finance a legacy (CDBF), to The Retreat House its accounts being consolidated into the CDBF s form accounts. of my gift is indicated below. Address I intend to include a legacy to The Retreat House in my of my proposed gift is indicated below.