COLLECTIONS INTRODUCTION

The team at the Bar Convent cares for a rich and diverse Special Collection which spans several centuries and is still growing today. The Special Collection encompasses our Archive, including the Provincial Archive for the Congregation of Jesus (English Province), a Rare Book Collection, and an Object Collection. We also manage a Research Library which supports researchers of British Catholic history and religious life.

As the only permanent religious community in the north of England, the Bar Convent became a place of safety for precious relics and other Catholic objects. Many Catholic families kept these items hidden for generations, before giving them to the sisters here when conditions were safer. In this way, the community of the Bar Convent became guardians of the legacy of the Church and of its members. You can find out more about this unique object collection here.

Additionally, there is a large collection of archive material relating to all aspects of life here at the Bar Convent, and the wider British Catholic community. You can find out more here.

The sisters have also accumulated a large library of some 1,400 books printed between 1503 and 1850, now classified as rare books. This library is particularly special as a collection of books bought and used exclusively by women, one of the very few examples of its kind in the UK. Find out more here.

How to visit

You can experience our Special Collection in person by visiting our interactive Exhibition or enjoying a free guided tour.

We welcome researchers, both to study the Bar Convent’s Special Collection and to consult our Research Library. We are also able to provide research support for personal or family history enquiries, please get in touch to discuss your needs.

Get in touch