About us

‘With Christ Jesus himself
as the cornerstone’ Ephesians 2:20

Our Community was founded in 1848 by William John Butler, the then Vicar of Wantage. His desire was to form a committed community of Sisters combining both a life of prayer and holiness with a concern for the social needs of the time. Thus the first Sisters were involved in educational work and the founding of a number of schools; in parish and mission work; and in penitentiary work. Today the work undertaken may be different in response to the changing needs of the world, but the same early vision of the Founder continues - that of a vowed community of Sisters uniting a strong life of prayer with active social concern.

Our Community began in Wantage and our main Convent and Novitiate remain there today, together with our Infirmary Wing where we care for our elderly Sisters. In the early days of our Community, houses were founded in many parts of England and also in India and South Africa. Today we continue to have houses in London and Sheffield, Smethwick and Wantage.

St Mary’s Convent
Challow Road
Wantage
Oxfordshire
OX12 9DJ

Phone: 01235 763141

Addresses for Community Houses may be obtained by contacting the Convent