Introduction to the community
Founded in 1893 by Father Herbert Kelly, the Society is a means of uniting the devotion of ordinary people, using it in the service of the Church. Members of the Society share a common life of prayer and fellowship in a variety of educational, pastoral and community activities in UK, Australia, Japan, Lesotho, and South Africa.
Having established Priories in a number of different locations, including Milton Keynes, Lancaster and Durham, SSM is now classified as an ‘historic religious community’ of the Church of England. At the same time it is a registered charity that operates St Antony’s Priory, and the Herbert Kelly Institute for Anglican religious life, in Durham. Principal areas of activity include retreats, training for spiritual directors, library and archive resources.
Contact details
Address: St Antony’s Priory, Claypath, Durham DH1 1QT, UK
Community information
Bishop Visitor:
Publications
Herbert Kelly SSM, An Idea in the Working, SSM Press, Kelham, 1908.
Alistair Mason, SSM: History of the Society of the Sacred Mission, Canterbury Press, Norwich, 1993.
Ralph Martin SSM, Towards a New day: a monk’s story, Darton, Longman & Todd, London, 2015.
Leadership
Provincial
Membership
Jonathan Ewer
Andrew Muramatsu
Edmund Wheat
Robert Stretton
20 Nov 2018 – Mary Hartwell, aged 95, professed 19 years
22 Jul 2022 – Frank Green, aged 98, professed 70 years
