Earlier this month, the main entrance to St Gerard’s School, Bangor closed for the final time.  The school could no longer continue due to the financial pressures of recent years.

St Gerard’s Convent and School, Bangor

In 1915, four Sisters of Mercy from the Abingdon Community responded to the appeal of Canon Quinn, Parish Priest at that time. They received a very warm welcome from the parish community and soon established themselves, opening a school and engaging in the Mercy ministries of visitation and catechetics.  As the school numbers grew, a larger premises was needed, and a property was finally acquired in 1919 which became St Gerard’s Convent and School.

In succeeding years, the mission expanded and Sisters went to outlying areas, particularly on the Island of Anglesey, to provide catechetical instruction, visitation and any other support they could provide. They worked closely with the O.M.I.  Fathers who were responsible for most parishes on the island. They continued until 1990 when the Sisters withdrew and the St Gerard’s Trust took responsibility for the school.

We give thanks for 111 years of education at St Gerard’s. We remember with gratitude the many Sisters who gave their lives for the Church in Wales, who worked hard to make the school a success, who sacrificed themselves in so many ways. While we are sad to see the end of such an important mission, we thank God that they were able to touch the lives of so many people and allow the Mercy story to live on through them.