Retreat Centre
The Centre is hosted by a community of Franciscan Capuchin Friars and is located in the small village of Pantasaph above Holywell in Flintshire North East Wales. The village is set amidst the peace of rolling countryside and is close to the coastline and main holiday resorts of North Wales.
25 Oct 1852 the first community of Franciscan Capuchin Fathers arrived at Denbigh House, Pantasaph. The community consisted of Fr. Louis of Lavagna (1st Superior), Fr. Emidius of Citta Nuova, Fr. Anthony of Monte Lupone, and Fr. Laurence of Imst. In January 1853 Fr. Seraphin of Bruges, and Brother Linus of Gassel joined them.
1858 – 1865 Building of the Friary, although some work continued for years afterwards
24 Aug 1858 Foundation stone of the Friary was laid
04 Oct 1865 Friary was formally opened
14 Oct 1866 Pantasaph constituted a Novitiate, a Mother House for the Capuchin Franciscan Order in Great Britain. As there was no Mother House in Ireland at that time, candidates for the Order came from there too.
From Pantasaph, several Catholic missions were opened and were served by the Friars for many years. Among these were Flint, Holyhead, Mostyn, Mold, Saltney, Colwyn Bay and Penmaenmawr.
Only 3 miles away is St. Winefride’s Holy Well, a place of unbroken pilgrimage and St. Beuno’s Ignation Spirituality Centre is a short 9 miles distant.
A potted history shows that on.
