This is a continuation of my walk last Sunday at the Abbotsford Convent. Aside from windows and public art, I also found so many doors.
Founded by The Sisters of the Good Shepherd in 1863, there are 11 buildings in this site.
Built in 1887, this building was primarily used as a ‘finishing school’ for women who voluntarily admitted themselves to the Abbotsford Convent. Girls were trained for service and ‘kept from adversity’. Originally, dormitories were upstairs, although over time, typing was taught in those rooms.*
This is the first building on the left upon entering the grounds.
The Convent building was where most of the Sisters, novices (nuns-in-training) and postulants (women commencing life as nuns) lived. *
Today, the Convent building houses artist studios, wellbeing spaces, food kiosks, creative businesses and St Heliers Street Gallery.
The Magdalen Asylum, or Sacred Heart, was a refuge and penitentiary for destitute young women, mainly as a result of poverty, family dysfunction, dislocation following migration, and lack of welfare and mental health services. Laundry work was regarded as a suitable occupation for these women, as it required little training and fully occupied the mind and body.*
Now, the Magdalen Laundry is used for contemporary artistic works and for community use.
Designed by JB Denny and built in 1868, the Industrial School is the oldest surviving building within the Convent grounds. *
This spaces can now be hired for varied indoor and outdoor creative projects.
The huge metal gate to exit the convent.
Here are the exterior doors of the convent going to the car park.
Description of the buildings were taken from google – abbotsfordconvent.com.au
I spired by Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge
It’s a beautiful place.
Thanks you…it is beautiful and so much history. Thanks for stopping by.
Interesting building
Thanks Tanja.
I am glad the grounds and buildings remain standing. Although I usually say something about its former function being lost, I’m kind of glad the laundry is no longer in operation. I love the details in the brick and the interior shots are very nice. Thanks for bringing us along with you, Teresa.
It is sad to think of what times were like before but it is also wonderful to know that this convent can still be of great use in the present times. Thanks Dan.
I’m still catching up after my absence from blogging and I really enjoyed this one, Teresa. You certainly have found some doors here!
Glad that you are back. Were you on holidays? I can’t seem to log into your account. But thanks for stopping by Maris.
Wonderful selections of the doors. Such an enjoyable walk. 🙂
Thanks a lot Amy ❤️ It was confusing… so many doors!
An interesting history. There has been quite a scandal about the Magdalene laundries in Ireland (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdalene_Laundries_in_Ireland) – is that the case over there too?
I am not a 100% sure if something like that happened as well. I just know that it started out helping ladies, women and girls, but they were not given any money and were given education only until
They were 14.
You would probably have heard if it had, so hopefully not 🙂
I am asking Ali, maybe she might know.
An interesting backstory to your convent photos.
It is nice to know the back story every time. Thanks Denny.
A really fabulous set of doors, and interesting location.
Thanks Scooj. ❤️
Wonderful Teresa, I loved this place and it’s great they’ve kept the original architecture and it’s now used for the greater good, and has absolved itself of past wrongdoings. Those nuns had a lot to answer for
Yes that is true…the initial intention was great. And it is used for the good now. It is the in between that maybe it went a little side tracked. Do you know more about the gossipabout the place?
Only what I’ve read about the Magdalen laundries, how cruel the nuns were and how they raked in so much money
Oh is that so? Maybe I didn’t get to that part yet haha Thanks Ali for the comment.