Sclerder Abbey

Sclerder Abbey (pronounced: sklerder abby; Cornish: Abatty Clerder, meaning Abbey of Clarity) is a Roman Catholic monastery in Cornwall, England, UK, located between Looe and Polperro, which accommodates an order of enclosed nuns, whose role is to pray for the Church and the wider world.

The Abbey was founded in 1843 by the Dames de la Retraite who left in 1852, and was then occupied successively by the Franciscan Recollects (1858-1864); Carmelite nuns (1864-1871); Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (1904-1910); Minoresses from Rennes (1914-1920); Minoresses from Bullingham (1922-1981), including Franciscan nuns (from c. 1925). Carmelite nuns from Quidenham resided at Sclerder Abbey from 1981 until 2014. In September 2014, Chemin Neuf an ecumenical Christian community, moved to Sclerder when Bishop Mark O’Toole (RC Bishop of Plymouth) celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving for the life of prayer and service of the Carmelite community and welcomed the new community of Chemin Neuf.

Sclerder Abbey serves the Cornish Roman Catholic community and a resident priest lives next to the monastery. Mass is celebrated daily.