Introduction to the community
St Saviour’s Priory is one of the autonomous Houses which constitute the Society of St Margaret founded by John Mason Neale. Exploring contemporary ways of living the Religious life, the community seeks, through a balance of prayer and ministry, to respond to some of the needs that arise amongst the marginalised in East London. The Office is four-fold and the Eucharist is offered daily. The Sisters’ outreach to the local community includes: working as staff members (lay or ordained) in various parishes; supporting issues of justice and racial equality; supporting the gay community; Sunday Stall and Drop in Centre; Dunloe Centre for the homeless and alcoholics; complementary therapy; individual spiritual direction and retreats. The Sisters also share their community building and resources of worship and space with individuals and groups.
Contact details
Address: St Saviour’s Priory, 18 Queensbridge Road, London E2 8NS, UK
Community information
Bishop Visitor: Rt Revd Jonathan Clark, Bishop of Croydon
Publications
Memories of a Sister of S. Saviour’s Priory, A.R. Mowbray, 1904.
A Hundred Years in Haggerston, published by St Saviour’s Priory, 1966.
(Both now out of print, but available for loan from St Saviour’s Priory.)
Sister Catherine Louise SSM, The Planting of the Lord: The history of the Society of Saint Margaret in England, Scotland and the USA, 1855-1995, privately published, 1995.
Third Order, Fellowship, Associates
Associates make a long term commitment to the Society of St Margaret, following a Rule of Life and helping the Community where possible. An Associate of one SSM house is an Associate of all the houses. There are regular quiet days for Associates who are kept in touch with community developments.
Friends of St Saviour’s Priory commit themselves to a year of mutual support and friendship and are invited to regular events throughout the year.
Leadership
Leader of the Community: The Revd Sister Judith Blackburn SSM (priest)
Assumed office 26 February 2014
Assistant Leaders: Sister Anna Huston SSM
Membership
Sister June Atkinson
Sister Elizabeth Crawford
The Revd Sister Helen Loder (priest)
Sister Pamela Radford
22 Jul 2017 – Sister Pauline (Mary) Hardcastle, aged 93, professed 69 years
6 Sept 2020 – Sr Enid Margaret Jealous, aged 89 , Professed 46 years
18 Jun 2024 – Sister Moira Jones, aged 90, professed 54 years