The Marist Sisters blue plaque

This blue commemorative plaque records: The Old Convent Erected in the late 1800's this Victorian building, typical of the period, was further extended in 1905. Known as Dolforgan, it was owned by a local solicitor, Walter Frederick Thomas. Purchased by the Marist Sisters, and renamed 'The Convent', they opened their first school here in 1941, a popular educational establishment teaching primary and secondary pupils. From 1986, with fewer staff, it continued for some years as a nusery school. The remaining Marist sister retired in 2007. Aquired by the Ottery St Mary Town Council it was opened in 2009 as Council Offices and Police Station Recorded plaque organisation: Ottery St Mary Heritage Society.

The Marist Sisters are a Roman Catholic religious institute founded in France in 1817, known for their educational missions; they established a school at The Convent in Ottery St Mary in 1941, providing education to the community for nearly five decades.