Savio House formally became a house of the Salesians of Don Bosco on 5th November 1952 when it was canonically erected by the superiors in Turin.

Here we provide a sketched history of the house and the important stages of development of the Salesian work here.

The first Salesians move into Ingersley Hall in July 1952 to ready it for habitation. These were joined in September by seventeen newly professed brothers and the first community of thirty three was complete.

5th November 1952 – Canonical Erection of the Property of Ingersley Hall as a Salesian House to house Philosophy students

Much of the building and renovation work on the farm buildings – converting them to living and studying accommodation - was carried out by the young brothers, especially the ‘muscle work’. By the time Bishop Murphy of Shrewsbury opened the new Mews hall in 1955 they had already helped put in electricity and convert the Coach House to (rather uncomfortable) living accommodation. Other work done included clearing drains on the drive, improving the surface of the drive and building some decent outside toilets.

Summer 1956 saw the moving of the philosophy students and, in name at least, Ingersley Hall became officially a retreat house for young people. The house also first became known as ‘St Dominic Savio House’

In the early days as a retreat centre the work was two-fold. Young men would spend time with the community to discern their vocation and also three day residential retreats for parties of schoolchildren started. These retreat groups would bring their own chaplain and follow their own programme but it was very much a start of today’s work.

1963 saw the construction of the new kitchen and the dining rooms found there current home during this work.

1967 saw a quiet period in the house’s history when the community was moved out and one Salesian was left as a caretaker. The house still had its share of visitors – usually unexpected – and building work continued but other than the annual retreats for the Salesians the house was little used. For five years its future was in the balance.

Eventually the Salesians decided that Savio House was the most viable place for a retreat centre and from 1973 onwards full support was given to establishing the retreat programme there.

In 1980, through the vision of the rector, Fr John Docherty, the community changed radically with the first lay people joining the community and sharing in the life and mission of the retreat centre.

In 1983 the retreat programme was relaunched and the recruiting of lay volunteers began in earnest. From the early 1980’s to the present day these Salesian Volunteers have been a vital part of the life of the community and the mission to the young retreatants.

By the end of the eighties the future of Savio House as a retreat centre was firmly established. Regular bookings from schools were coming in and increasing all the time. In fact some of the earliest school to use the centre for retreats continue to bring groups to this very day.

During the last twenty-five years there have been many more changes in the buildings. With the barns turned into accommodation for residential groups of up to forty young people in self catering facilities. The farm cottage was converted to be used by small self catering residential groups and then more recently it has become the home to the Youth Ministry Office of the Salesians and houses many of the lay retreat team.

To celebrate the golden jubilee of Savio House in 2002 a new games room and outdoor football pitch was opened by Brian Noble, Bishop of Shrewsbury.