Introduction to the community
Founded by Emily Ayckbowm in 1870, the Community of the Sisters of the Church is an international body of lay and ordained women within the Anglican Communion. We are seeking to be faithful to the gospel values of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, and to the traditions of Religious Life while exploring new ways of expressing them and of living community life and ministry today. By our worship, ministry and life in community, we desire to be channels of the reconciling love and acceptance of Christ, to acknowledge the dignity of every person, and to enable others to encounter the living God whom we seek.
The Community’s patrons, St Michael and the Angels, point us to a life both of worship and active ministry, of mingled adoration and action. Our name, Sisters of the Church, reminds us that our particular dedication is to the mystery of the Church as the Body of Christ in the world.
Each house has its own timetable of corporate worship. The Eucharist and Divine Office (usually fourfold) are the heart of our Community life.
Community houses provide different expressions of our life and ministry in inner city, suburban, coastal town and village settings.
Contact details
Addresses of houses:
St Michael’s Convent, Vicarage Way, Gerrards Cross, Bucks, SL9 8AT
Tel: 0330 120 0630
Email for general enquiries: info@sistersofthechurch.org.uk
82 Ashley Road, Bristol BS6 5NT
Tel: 01179 413268
Email: bristol@sistersofthechurch.org.uk
St Gabriel’s. 27A Dial Hill Road, Clevedon, N. Somerset BS21 7HL
Tel: 01275 544471
Email: clevedon@sistersofthechurch.org.uk
Community information
Bishop Visitor: Rt Revd Alan Wilson, Bishop of Buckingham
Publications
A Valiant Victorian: The Life and Times of Mother Emily Ayckbowm 1836-1900 of the Community of the Sisters of the Church, Mowbray, London, 1964.
Ann M Baldwin CSC, Now is the Time: a brief survey of the life and times of the Community of the Sisters of the Church, CSC, 2005.
Third Order, Fellowship, Associates
Associates are men and women who seek to live the Gospel values of Simplicity, Chastity and Obedience within their own circumstances. Each creates his/her own Rule of Life and has a Link Sister or Link House. They are united in spirit with CSC in its life of worship and service, fostering a mutually enriching bond.
Alongsiders: Looking for a change? Searching for a different way of life? Longing to slow down to live more fully? We too are searching, looking for people to come and share in our way of life at St Michael’s Convent.
Opportunity to slow down, to have a more contemplative style of life, to develop gifts. A large garden to play and work in, maybe a chance to develop new talents, to join in with our worship and singing in Chapel.
Times to share together and time to be alone. Time to grow in prayer.
If any of this touches your heart do get in touch with us to learn more of our way of life and the possibility of coming to be with us for a while.
Leadership
Mother Superior: Sister Susan Hird CSC, UK Province assumed office: December 2023
Provincial: Aileen Taylor CSC
Assumed office 29 September 2017
Assistant Provincial: Susan Hird CSC
Membership
Anita Cook
Annaliese Brogden
Catherine Heybourn
Hilda Mary Baumberg
Jennifer Cook
Rosina Taylor
Ruth White
Sheila Julian Merryweather
Sue McCarten
Teresa Mary Wright
Vivien Atkinson
27 Dec 2019 – Judith Gray, aged 88, professed 66 years, Mother Superior 1988-1998
31 March 2022 – Mary Josephine, aged 90, professed 63 years
