Community of St. John Baptist
Encyclopedia
The Community of St. John Baptist (CSJB), also known as the Sisters of Mercy, or formerly Clewer Sisters, is an Anglican religious order
of Augustinian nuns.
in 1852 by Harriet Monsell (the first Superior), a clergy widow, and Thomas Thellusson Carter
, a priest at Windsor
. The purpose of the order was to help marginalised women - mainly single mothers, the homeless and sex trade workers - by providing them shelter and teaching them a trade. The work of the sisters expanded to include administering and working in orphanages, schools, convalescent hospitals, soup kitchens, and women's hostel
s.
The Community is conspicuous amongst Anglican communities for its meteoric rise in numbers from the date of the foundation. By the time of Carter's death in 1901 there were some 300 Sisters. At its height, the Community had some forty-five priories and branch houses.
, near Kidlington in Oxfordshire. The Sisters expect to move to Cuddesdon
in 2011 where they are building a new house in the grounds of the Anglican seminary
, Ripon College Cuddesdon
. They are also endowing a new chapel for the seminary which will be part of the Community's lasting legacy to the Church after it has completed its work. Since 1996 the remaining sisters of another Order, the Community of the Companions of Jesus the Good Shepherd
have been living with the SSJB sisters, and although the two Orders remain quite distinct, they share accommodation and many other aspects of community life. If the move to Cuddesdon goes ahead, it will involve both groups of sisters.
in 1874, following the generous donation of property by the family of the first American CSJB sister. Work was needed amongst German immigrants in New York's Lower East Side, and the community moved there. The American Mother House was eventually established at Mendham, New Jersey
. Work in New York was ended in 1976. In 2007, however, the Sisters returned to Manhattan, opening a branch house at the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin (Times Square, New York)
.
The main priory at 82 West Main Street, Mendham, includes a retreat house for guests and also the community's historic church, all set in over 20 acres of land. Built in 1908 in the 'Tudor Revival' style, it was added to the American National Register of Historic Places
(reference number 07000356) in 2007. It's architects were James Layng Mills and John C. Greenleaf.
Anglican religious order
Anglican religious orders are communities of laity and/or clergy in the Anglican Communion who live under a common rule of life. The members of religious orders take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and lead a common life of work and prayer...
of Augustinian nuns.
History
The Community was founded in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1852 by Harriet Monsell (the first Superior), a clergy widow, and Thomas Thellusson Carter
Thomas Thellusson Carter
Thomas Thellusson Carter often known as T. T. Carter, T.T.C. or Canon Carter was a significant figure in the Victorian Church of England, responsible for re-introducing some Anglo-Catholic practices to the Church, being the founder of Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament. He also founded several...
, a priest at Windsor
Windsor, Berkshire
Windsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
. The purpose of the order was to help marginalised women - mainly single mothers, the homeless and sex trade workers - by providing them shelter and teaching them a trade. The work of the sisters expanded to include administering and working in orphanages, schools, convalescent hospitals, soup kitchens, and women's hostel
Hostel
Hostels provide budget oriented, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, although private rooms may also be available...
s.
The Community is conspicuous amongst Anglican communities for its meteoric rise in numbers from the date of the foundation. By the time of Carter's death in 1901 there were some 300 Sisters. At its height, the Community had some forty-five priories and branch houses.
CSJB in the United Kingdom
The present United Kingdom house is located at BegbrokeBegbroke
Begbroke is a village and civil parish in Oxfordshire about west of Kidlington and northwest of Oxford.The toponym "Begbroke" is Old English for "Little Brook". This refers to Rowel Brook which runs through the village and was the reason for its early settlement...
, near Kidlington in Oxfordshire. The Sisters expect to move to Cuddesdon
Cuddesdon
Cuddesdon is an east Oxfordshire village about east of Oxford. It is notable as the location of Ripon College Cuddesdon....
in 2011 where they are building a new house in the grounds of the Anglican seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
, Ripon College Cuddesdon
Ripon College Cuddesdon
Ripon College Cuddesdon is a Church of England theological college in Cuddesdon, a village outside Oxford, England.-History:Ripon College Cuddesdon was formed from an amalgamation in 1975 of Cuddesdon College and Ripon Hall...
. They are also endowing a new chapel for the seminary which will be part of the Community's lasting legacy to the Church after it has completed its work. Since 1996 the remaining sisters of another Order, the Community of the Companions of Jesus the Good Shepherd
Community of the Companions of Jesus the Good Shepherd
The Community of the Companions of Jesus the Good Shepherd is an Anglican religious order founded in 1920, part of the Church of England. It is currently based near Kidlington, Oxfordshire....
have been living with the SSJB sisters, and although the two Orders remain quite distinct, they share accommodation and many other aspects of community life. If the move to Cuddesdon goes ahead, it will involve both groups of sisters.
CSJB in the United States
The Community expanded to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1874, following the generous donation of property by the family of the first American CSJB sister. Work was needed amongst German immigrants in New York's Lower East Side, and the community moved there. The American Mother House was eventually established at Mendham, New Jersey
Mendham, New Jersey
Mendham is a borough in Morris County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of the 2000 Census, the borough population was 5,097.While New Jersey was an English colony, Mendham Township was formed on March 29, 1749 as a new governmental entity, from portions of Hanover Township, Morris Township,...
. Work in New York was ended in 1976. In 2007, however, the Sisters returned to Manhattan, opening a branch house at the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin (Times Square, New York)
Church of Saint Mary the Virgin (Times Square, New York)
The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin is an Episcopal Anglo-Catholic church within the Episcopal Diocese of New York and the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. The church complex is located in the heart of Times Square on West 46th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues in the borough of...
.
The main priory at 82 West Main Street, Mendham, includes a retreat house for guests and also the community's historic church, all set in over 20 acres of land. Built in 1908 in the 'Tudor Revival' style, it was added to the American National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
(reference number 07000356) in 2007. It's architects were James Layng Mills and John C. Greenleaf.