The Community House

The Open Gate is a small retreat house in the village on Holy Island. It is held to be the oldest inhabited house on the island, and guests and visitors comment on its pervading atmosphere of peace and warmth.

The main resource God uses to bless visitors here is the island itself, considered to be a 'thin place' where one is more easily aware of the spiritual realm that surrounds us always but of which we are often oblivious. The house itself provides a welcoming and comfortable base at the centre of the village. We wish to provide for each guest as an individual on his or her own spiritual journey. For some, the island is all they need. For others, some level of guided prayer or faith accompaniment may be requested - generally there are two people available who are trained in spiritual direction. For all, there is a rhythm of prayer both in the house and through the different island churches that people can link into as they wish.

We have a chapel in the house and various books and appropriate videos in the lounge. Guests are also welcomed to use the unique library of books on Celtic and other spirituality which is only one minute's walk away (assuming you are fit!) at the home of our founder Ray Simpson (see the photo below). Ray's published books and pamphlets are on sale in the Reception area of the Open Gate, which is open to visitors and provides seating and drinks facilities for them.

Community programmed retreats have all food provided. People on their own retreat are provided with breakfast, but other meals are not currently available. There are two shops, at least three cafe-type and four restaurant-type eating places on the island for lunches, or for the occasional cook's day off!! Programmed retreats have all food provided.

The Open Gate is home to and run by a warden, who is a member of the dispersed Community of Aidan and Hilda. Members who live nearby including Rev Ray Simpson (founder and author) are regularly involved with daily services and running programmed retreats. The Open Gate provides the community with its Mother House, some weeks being dedicated to members' visits. Further help is provided by volunteers.

The Open Gate was formerly known as North View Lodge and has, since its beginings in the 1560s been many things including in recent decades a sweet shop, a family home, and a hotel. In the worn steps leading down to the chapel a horse shoe suggests a link with the buildings behind called The Stables - all part of an ancient inn. Its position on Marygate would indicate that it was built on the boundary of the monastery enclave, and it is thought that stones from the ruined priory were taken to build it.

In 2000 a Friend of the Community bought the house and leased it to us with the option to buy at the end of three years. All the required sum was given or loaned interest-free, the final £1,000 made available in the last few days before purchase. During that time it ran mainly as a guest house with a few retreats each year; now its main work is as a retreat house. However, a ministry of hospitality extends beyond the staying guests to day-visitors and other pilgrims and passers-by. Clare Short ran the Open Gate since it was bought for the Community until early 2006. Along with a friend, also called to the island by God, she had a vision in 1982 of a place where people could rest and be refreshed on every level, before going back re-energised into their ordinary lives. The twenty years in between that vision and the reality at The Open Gate were spent in teaching and included becoming a priest in the Church of England. Following stints by Ruth Wadey, Julie Walker and Carol Few, Naomi Ackland is currently housekeeper and runs the day to day affairs of the Open Gate, while Carol Few has taken over a Community Secretary.

Overall, the ministry of The Open Gate is that of the God-given call of the Community itself. It seeks to play its part in resourcing people, fostering Christian spirituality, renewing the Church, and healing the land.