The Cloisters

The Cloisters was built between 1905 and1907 as a School of Psychology the principle object of study being ‘how thought affects action and what causes and produces thought’.

The building was designed by Miss Annie Lawrence and the architect W. Cowlishaw, and cost around £20,000 (around £7.5 million in today’s money).

Cowlishaw in an essay on The Cloisters wrote, ‘The students shall form the nucleus of an altruistic crusade against the low spiritual and corresponding state of society’.

Despite its large size it was designed to accommodate just twenty residential students the main space existing to provide ‘lectures, musical and dramatic performances’ to a mass audience.

Students slept in the Cloister Garth on hammocks that in the morning were raised up to the ceiling out of the way.  In summer months the windows could be thrown open so that its occupants could reap the benefits of the pure, fresh air.

As if the concept of these middle & upper class visitors sleeping on hammocks was not radical enough, the two sexes were divided only by a canvas curtain - the ladies on the right and the gentlemen on the left.  There were separate toilets but everyone shared the cloister fountain to wash – quite scandalous! 

In the central area, known as the Living Court, a beautiful central fountain in pink marble was built and remains today.  The lower part, a ‘lavabo’, featured eight basins that provided hot and cold water.  The detailed design included hooks for mirrors and cups and small wheels could be turned to release soap powder.

The first Alpha Union School took place soon after the building opened in January 1907 but the building was not ready for the first residential school until 1908.  These schools were a great feature of pre- WWI Garden City life.  Many influential artists and reformers from all over the country visited The Cloisters.  

A stay at The Cloisters was rather non-conformist as summed up by David Garnett, Cowlishaw’s nephew: 

“One slept in a canvas cot sleeping a couple of feet off the floor, sheltered from rain or snow but in the open.  In the morning one hauled up one’s bed, either had a hot bath or a plunge in the swimming pool, collected a breakfast, which was eaten sitting raised up behind a vast slab of rose-coloured alabaster.  Those breakfasting at the table looked like a painting of the last supper.”

Another important feature of The Cloisters was the main organ.  Original plans intended that there would also be a solo and an echo organ but these were never purchased.  As well as a dramatic backdrop the curved walls of The Cloister garth provided magnificent acoustics.  Interestingly it was also hoped that the windows would be converted to stained glass that would have bathed both performers and the audience in a rainbow of colour.

Music flourished at The Cloisters. Sunday concerts became part of the weekly routine for a large majority of the town with attendances often over 1,000.  They were funded by donations and all were welcome.  Craft classes were also popular ranging from sandal making to housewifery.  Miss Lawrence was also an ardent believer in the benefits of swimming and for many years awarded a fountain pen for children in the town who learnt to swim in her pool.

In 1926 the old Cloister Garth was given a permanent wooden roof and was renamed the New Hall.  In 1929 a conservatory was added.  Now the building was warmer and concerts could be played all year round. 

In February 1932 Miss Lawrence offered the building free to the County Council with an annuity of £1000 during her life and an income of £20,000 after her death.  She was getting older and wished the good work of the school, specifically the teaching of crafts to children and adults, to continue.  However, her offer was declined.

In 1940 The Cloisters was commandeered by the army and was returned in a poor state of repair.  Miss Lawrence left in 1940 to live with friends and in 1948 went to St Catherine’s Nursing Home. 

What to do with The Cloisters was a constant worry to the elderly Miss Lawrence.  Now the building was in a poor state of repair and the classes no longer took place, no one was able to take it on.  The solution then appeared following a chance remark by Miss Lawrence’s solicitor, a Freemason, that the Hertfordshire branch of the masons required a home.  The Cloisters remains the Masonic Lodge to this day.