Coventry Urban Monastery
Encounter God.
Embody Reconciliation.
Experience Restoration.
A house of prayer, hospitality, learning, justice and mission in the heart of Coventry.
Inspired by ancient monastic traditions and rooted in Coventry's calling as a city of peace and reconciliation, we create spaces where people can encounter Christ, grow as his followers, become ambassadors of reconciliation, and be equipped to bring hope and restoration to the world and for the sake of the world God loves so much.
Visit the Prayer Room | Book an Event | Get Involved
WHAT IS COVENTRY URBAN MONASTERY?
Our future is ancient: Coventry Urban Monastery is a contemporary Christian community rooted in the ancient practices of prayer, hospitality, learning, justice and mission.
For over 1,000 years this site has been dedicated to worship, learning and service. Today we long to return to those ancient paths for modern life as consecrated disciples of Christ,
A place to be and pray
A place to become and be transformed
A place to be sent.
We haven’t done this before but are seeking God’s wisdom as we come to him in prayer and worship to discern his steps! If you’d like to be informed or support us, please
contact us.
OUR STORY
Holy Trinity has had a number of other buildings for use by congregations and clergy over the years.
The previous church centre was removed to make way for uncovering the old priory ruins. So the church was subsequently offered the use of the
Old Blue Coat School which had stood opposite the church since 1856.
After a long period standing empty, the building needed substantial renovation. We now have a beautiful and unusual building that we can hire out.
Follow this link to find out more about booking this venue.
The Old Blue Coat School is a unique and historic building nestling between
Priory Row and the Priory Gardens in Coventry city centre.
The current building dates from 1856, the actual school having been founded as the first Charity School for girls in Coventry in 1714. Having not been in use for many years, it was completely re-furbished as part of the Phoenix Initiative development in celebration of 2000 years since Christ’s birth. Now run by Holy Trinity, Trinity House has been transformed and plays an important role in the rejuvenation of this historic part of the City Centre.
However the story of the Urban Monastery is much more ancient than that. Coventry Urban Monastery sits on the ruins of St Mary’s Priory, founded as a Benedictine monastery in 1043 by Lady Godiva and Earl Leofric, It then later became a priory and cathedral, destroyed during the Reformation. The building for the Urban Monastery itself was constructed over one corner of the original St Mary’s Cathedral. The evidence of this can be seen today in the cellars of the building which are actually inside one of the original pillars of the Cathedral, dating from around 1150AD. In the more recent years, the building also hosted Youth With a Mission as well as Coventry House of Prayer who have shaped our building in prayer mission and service to the city.
WHAT WE AIM TO DO
Prayer & Worship
We long people to encounter God through a dedicated 24-7 prayer room, daily rhythms of prayer, worship gatherings, retreats and opportunities to encounter God's presence.
House of prayer for the city and all nations
We also long to serve the city (Jeremiah 29:7) and the nations (Isaiah 56:7) in prayer adding our own prayers to the many people of Coventry who pray for the city and the nations.
To be in touch about the prayer room
click here.
Or to book a time
click here.
Events and Hospitality
The space is also available for private bookings.
To learn more about how to book one of the available rooms
click here.
You can also
contact us here.
Education & Learning
The Urban Monastery is a space where various children, youth, students and young adults and learning communities or worshiping community meet and have a shared rhythm of meals.
Coventry Urban Monastery seeks to be a centre for education and learning, a space where intentional formation can happen in the context of community: spiritual practices, discipleship pathways, reconciliation learning and opportunities.
Scriptorium
In partnership with Trinity Forum Europe, 2026 has seen the birth of the Coventry and Warwick Scriptorium.
The Scriptorium offers graduate students structured days of studies held by a rhythm of prayer in community. The scriptorium meets every Wednesday 9.30am-5pm and includes lunch and refreshments.
To know more about the scriptorium,
submit your query here.
Mission & Restoration
Our aim is to serving Coventry and the nations through, justice, mission, outreach, reconciliation and community transformation.
We long for every person in Coventry, every tribe language and nation (Revelations 5:9) to know the love of Jesus and share his love that transforms lives, families and nations more into God’s Kingdom.
Throughout the week the Urban Monastery hosts various worshiping communities who long to witness to the love and lordship of Jesus.
In addition every Saturday morning in partnership with YWAM the Urban Monastery offers the opportunity to pray for Coventry and go out for conversations on the street of Coventry.
To know more about Youth With a Mission,
visit here.
OUR VISION
The Urban Monastery longs to be a place where people can
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Encounter God's presence
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Become ambassadors of reconciliation
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Experience healing and restoration
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Are sent out to serve Coventry and the nations
Encounter God's presence,
Breathe out His presence,
Sent from Coventry.
Reconciliation
Coventry has a deep heritage in peace and reconciliation, one birthed through bombs and tears of World War 2. On November 14th 1940 Coventry was bombed loosing over 500 people as well as seeing St Michael’s cathedral destroyed. Yet in the following months the people of Coventry were called to build a ‘kinder more Christ like world’ and called to do what Jesus did, to love their enemies.
(For more of Coventry’s history and legacy on peace and reconciliation
click here).
In today’s increasingly polarized world, Coventry Urban Monastery longs to become ambassadors of Reconciliation – to know what it means to be reconciled to God through Christ. To seek to live lives reconciled with each other. And to do that for the sake of the world.
We look to Isaiah’s prophecy of a reconciled world (Isaiah 11:6-16) and God’s promise of restoration.
(Painting by
Hyatt Moore)
Restoration
We believe Isaiah words (Isaiah 58 and Isaiah 61) speak of God’s heart for Coventry
We believe God loves Coventry. From its ruins, he offers Hope. From its ashes. He offers beauty to all.
A NEW MONASTIC COMMUNITY
We long to cultivate a community shaped by shared values inspired by the wisdom of ancient monasteries and the Order of the Mustard Seed and the 24-7 Prayer Movement
Prayer • Creativity • Hospitality • Learning • Justice • Mission
VISIT US
Coventry Urban Monastery
Holy Trinity Church Coventry
Whether you're looking for a quiet place to pray, a retreat day, a learning community, or are interested in knowing more about the vision, please get in touch!
Contact us using the form below
Follow our journey
24/06/2026