News
11th November 2020
Remembering the Greyfriars
St Martins – the land on which our Community House is built – follows a tradition of monasticism that reaches back hundreds of years. Leicester’s Franciscan friary stood between what are known today as Peacock Lane and Friar Lane. The Grey Friars who lived here took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and would wander the streets teaching the gospel and serving their communities.
Yesterday, Tuesday 10th November, marked 482 years since the last seven Grey Friars — Williams Giles, Simon Harvey, Henry Shepherd, John Stanish, Robert Aston, Rudolph Heyrick and William Abbot — surrendered their house to Henry VIII’s commissioners during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Nearly five centuries later, there remain a few reminders of this friary and the Grey Friars who served here.
As a Community, we remember their commitment to simplicity, prayer and loving service. Please pray with us as we continue to rebuild the ancient walls of this house of prayer, and seek justice and blessing in our city and wider community.