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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{about|an Anglican religious order of Augustinian nuns|Roman Catholic religious order of priests and brothers|Congregation of Saint John the Baptist}}
[[File:Community of St. John Baptist Sisters in 2016.jpg|thumb|Sisters of the Community of St John Baptist in Mendham, New Jersey in 2016]]
[[File:Community of St. John Baptist Sisters in 2016.jpg|thumb|Sisters of the Community of St John Baptist in Mendham, New Jersey in 2016]]
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.
The '''Community of St John Baptist''' ('''CSJB'''), also known as the '''Sisters of Mercy''', or formerly '''Clewer Sisters''', is an [[Anglican religious order]] of [[Augustinians|Augustinian]] nuns.


==History==
==History==
[[File:William Butterfield Chalice.jpg|thumb|The chalice designed by William Butterfield and made for use at the House of Mercy convent, Clewer]]
[[File:William Butterfield Chalice.jpg|thumb|Silver [[chalice]] (1856-57), designed by [[William Butterfield]] for use at the House of Mercy convent, Clewer; now in the [[Victoria and Albert Museum]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Chalice |url=https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O78077/chalice-butterfield-william/ |website=V&A Collections |access-date=19 November 2023}}</ref>]]
The Community was founded in England in 1852 by [[Harriet Monsell]] (the first Superior), a clergy widow, and [[Thomas Thellusson Carter]], a priest at St Andrew's Church, [[Clewer]], [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]]. The purpose of the order was to help marginalised women&nbsp;– mainly single mothers, the homeless and [[sex trade]] workers&nbsp;– 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.<ref>''Anglican Religious Communities Yearbook: 2004–2005''. Norwich: Canterbury Press, 2003.</ref>
The Community was founded in England in 1852 by [[Harriet Monsell]] (the first Superior), a clergy widow, and [[Thomas Thellusson Carter]], a priest at St Andrew's Church, [[Clewer]], [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]]. The purpose of the order was to help marginalised women&nbsp;– mainly single mothers, the homeless and [[sex trade]] workers&nbsp;– 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.<ref>''Anglican Religious Communities Yearbook: 2004–2005''. Norwich: Canterbury Press, 2003.</ref>


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==CSJB in the United Kingdom==
==CSJB in the United Kingdom==
[[File:Bishop Edward King Chapel (inside)-130928.JPG|thumb|Bishop Edward King Chapel at Ripon College Cuddesdon]]
[[File:Bishop Edward King Chapel (inside)-130928.JPG|thumb|[[Bishop Edward King Chapel]] at Ripon College Cuddesdon]]
The community's headquarters were, historically, at their purpose-built Victorian convent in Hatch Lane, [[Clewer]], Windsor. This very large and imposing structure, by [[Henry Woodyer]],<ref name=nhle>{{NHLE| num=1380282| desc=1881 Chapel at Convent of St John the Baptist | grade=II* |accessdate=26 October 2018}}</ref> is a local landmark, and includes a highly decorated chapel, and extensive accommodation for sisters, guests, and the female destitute persons to whom the community traditionally gave shelter.<ref>See [http://www.thamesweb.co.uk/windsor/windsor1999/csjb01.html this article] about the site.</ref> Following a sharp decrease in membership, the community found itself using only a tiny part of the buildings, and in 2001 relocated to Oxfordshire. The original convent has since been converted into flats. [[William Hutchings (priest)|William Henry Hutchings]] was [[Warden]] from 1865 to 1884 when he became [[Archdeacon of Cleveland]].<ref>''Dr. W. H. Hutchings.'' [[The Times]] (London, England), Monday, Jan. 08, 1912; pg. 11; Issue 39789</ref> He was succeeded by [[Thomas Thellusson Carter]].<ref>Staley, V. (1908) ''The Catholic Religion''. Oxford: A. R. Mowbray & Co.; p. vii (preface written in 1893)</ref>
The community's headquarters were, historically, at their purpose-built Victorian convent on Hatch Lane, [[Clewer]], Windsor, built from 1853.<ref name=nhle>{{NHLE| num=1319288| desc= Convent of St John the Baptist | grade=II |accessdate=19 November 2023}}</ref> This very large and imposing structure, by [[Henry Woodyer]],<ref name=nhle2>{{NHLE| num=1380282| desc=1881 Chapel at Convent of St John the Baptist | grade=II* |accessdate=26 October 2018}}</ref> is a local landmark, and includes a highly decorated chapel, and extensive accommodation for sisters, guests, and the female destitute persons to whom the community traditionally gave shelter.<ref>See [http://www.thamesweb.co.uk/windsor/windsor1999/csjb01.html this article] about the site.</ref> [[William Hutchings (priest)|William Henry Hutchings]] was [[chaplain|Warden]] from 1865 to 1884 when he became rector of [[Pickering, Yorkshire]].<ref>"Dr. W. H. Hutchings." ' [[The Times]]'' (London, England), 8 January 1912; pg. 11; Issue 39789</ref> He was succeeded by [[Thomas Thellusson Carter]].<ref>Staley, V. (1908) ''The Catholic Religion''. Oxford: A. R. Mowbray & Co.; p. vii (preface written in 1893)</ref> Following a sharp decrease in membership, the community found itself using only a tiny part of the buildings, and in 2001 relocated to Oxfordshire. The original convent has since been converted into flats.


The Sisters lived at [[Begbroke]], near Kidlington in Oxfordshire for several years, then moved to their newly constructed Convent, Harriet Monsell House, which is on the campus of the [[Ripon College Cuddesdon]] a [[Church of England]] [[Theological College]], in 2013. They also endowed a new chapel, [[Bishop Edward King Chapel]], for the college which will be part of the Community's lasting legacy to the Church after it has completed its work. The Chapel has won several architectural awards since its completion.
The Sisters lived at [[Begbroke]], near Kidlington in Oxfordshire, for several years, then moved to their newly constructed convent, Harriet Monsell House, which is on the campus of the [[Ripon College Cuddesdon]], a Church of England [[theological college]], in 2013. They also endowed a new chapel, [[Bishop Edward King Chapel]], for the college which will be part of the community's lasting legacy to the church after it has completed its work. The chapel has won several architectural awards since its completion.


Since 1996 the remaining sisters of another Order, the [[Community of the Companions of Jesus the Good Shepherd]] have been living with the CSJB sisters, and although the two Orders remain quite distinct, they share accommodation and many other aspects of community life.
Since 1996 the remaining sisters of another order, the [[Community of the Companions of Jesus the Good Shepherd]] have been living with the CSJB sisters. Although the two orders remain distinct, they share accommodation and other aspects of community life.

The Church of England's Clewer Initiative combatting [[Slavery in the 21st century|modern slavery]] is funded by the community, and continues the Sisters' tradition of protecting the vulnerable and marginalised. The Initiative was launched in 2016 and the Sisters have guaranteed funding until 2030.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theclewerinitiative.org/about-us|title=The Clewer Initiative|website=The Clewer Initiative|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-08-08}}</ref>


==CSJB in the United States==
==CSJB in the United States==
[[File:COMMUNITY OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, MENDHAM, MORRIS COUNTY.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Building in Mendham, New Jersey]]
[[File:COMMUNITY OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, MENDHAM, MORRIS COUNTY.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Building in Mendham, New Jersey]]
The Community expanded to the United States in 1874, following the donation of property by the family of the first American CSJB sister. Work was needed among German immigrants in New York's Lower East Side, and the community moved there. The American Mother House was eventually established at [[Mendham Borough, New Jersey|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 St. Mary the Virgin (Manhattan)|Church of Saint Mary the Virgin]] on Times Square, but in 2018 were recalled to the mother house.<ref>{{cite web |title=Monastics at Saint Mary's |url=https://www.stmvirgin.org/sisters-at-saint-marys/ |accessdate=25 October 2018}}</ref>
The Community expanded to the United States in 1874, following the donation of property by the family of the first American CSJB sister. Work was needed among German immigrants in New York's Lower East Side, and the community established a mother house on Stuyvesant Square at 233 E. 17th St. The American Mother House was eventually moved to [[Mendham Borough, New Jersey|Mendham, New Jersey]] in 1915. In 2007, two Sisters returned to Manhattan, opening a branch house at the [[Church of St. Mary the Virgin (Manhattan)|Church of Saint Mary the Virgin]] on Times Square, but in 2018 were recalled to the mother house.<ref>{{cite web |title=Monastics at Saint Mary's |url=https://www.stmvirgin.org/sisters-at-saint-marys/ |accessdate=25 October 2018}}</ref>


The main convent at 82 West Main Street, [[Mendham Borough, New Jersey|Mendham, New Jersey]], includes a retreat house for guests and also the community's historic church, all set in over 20 acres of land. The convent building was constructed as the Mother House of the American community in 1913. The sisters then closed down the Mother House at 233 E. 17th St. in Manhattan and moved permanently to Mendham in 1915. The Convent building was added to the American [[National Register of Historic Places]] (reference number 07000356) in 2007.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref> The architects of the main convent were [[Durr Freedley|Durr Friedley]] and [[William W. Cordingly]]. St Marguerite's Retreat House in Mendham, Built in 1908 in the 'Tudor Revival' style, was a home and school for girls until after World War II, and is now a working retreat house for all denominations. Its architects were [[Mills & Greenleaf|James Layng Mills and John C. Greenleaf]].{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}
The main convent at 82 West Main Street, Mendham, New Jersey, includes a retreat house for guests and also the community's historic church, all set in over 20 acres of land. The convent building was constructed as the Mother House of the American community in 1913. The sisters then closed down the Mother House at 233 E. 17th St. in Manhattan and moved permanently to Mendham in 1915. The Convent building was added to the American [[National Register of Historic Places]] (reference number 07000356) in 2007.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref> The architects of the main convent were [[Durr Freedley]] and William W. Cordingly. St Marguerite's Retreat House in Mendham, Built in 1908 in the 'Tudor Revival' style, was a home and school for girls until after World War II, and is now a working retreat house for all denominations. Its architects were [[Mills & Greenleaf|James Layng Mills and John C. Greenleaf]].{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}


==CSJB in India==
==CSJB in India==
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{{unreferenced section|date=June 2016}}
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2016}}
Apart from ministries of social aid and assistance, members of the order live a life of prayer, and operate retreat facilities as well as providing retreats and spiritual direction. In these endeavours, they are guided by the Augustinian Rule's emphasis on community spirit.
Apart from ministries of social aid and assistance, members of the order live a life of prayer, and operate retreat facilities as well as providing retreats and spiritual direction. In these endeavours, they are guided by the Augustinian Rule's emphasis on community spirit.

==Literature==
* Valerie Bonham, ''A Joyous Service: The Clewer Sisters and Their Work'' (2012) {{ISBN|9780957419704}}

==See also==
*[[Augustinian nuns in the Anglican Communion]]
*[[St. John's Diocesan Girls' Higher Secondary School]] in Kolkata
*[[St Stephen's College, Broadstairs]] (closed 1991)


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
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{{Anglican orders}}
{{Anglican orders}}
{{National Register of Historic Places}}
{{National Register of Historic Places}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Anglican orders and communities]]
[[Category:Anglican orders and communities]]

Latest revision as of 14:39, 21 March 2024

Sisters of the Community of St John Baptist in Mendham, New Jersey in 2016

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.

History

[edit]
Silver chalice (1856-57), designed by William Butterfield for use at the House of Mercy convent, Clewer; now in the Victoria and Albert Museum[1]

The Community was founded in England in 1852 by Harriet Monsell (the first Superior), a clergy widow, and Thomas Thellusson Carter, a priest at St Andrew's Church, Clewer, 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 hostels.[2]

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 45 priories and branch houses.

CSJB in the United Kingdom

[edit]
Bishop Edward King Chapel at Ripon College Cuddesdon

The community's headquarters were, historically, at their purpose-built Victorian convent on Hatch Lane, Clewer, Windsor, built from 1853.[3] This very large and imposing structure, by Henry Woodyer,[4] is a local landmark, and includes a highly decorated chapel, and extensive accommodation for sisters, guests, and the female destitute persons to whom the community traditionally gave shelter.[5] William Henry Hutchings was Warden from 1865 to 1884 when he became rector of Pickering, Yorkshire.[6] He was succeeded by Thomas Thellusson Carter.[7] Following a sharp decrease in membership, the community found itself using only a tiny part of the buildings, and in 2001 relocated to Oxfordshire. The original convent has since been converted into flats.

The Sisters lived at Begbroke, near Kidlington in Oxfordshire, for several years, then moved to their newly constructed convent, Harriet Monsell House, which is on the campus of the Ripon College Cuddesdon, a Church of England theological college, in 2013. They also endowed a new chapel, Bishop Edward King Chapel, for the college which will be part of the community's lasting legacy to the church after it has completed its work. The chapel has won several architectural awards since its completion.

Since 1996 the remaining sisters of another order, the Community of the Companions of Jesus the Good Shepherd have been living with the CSJB sisters. Although the two orders remain distinct, they share accommodation and other aspects of community life.

The Church of England's Clewer Initiative combatting modern slavery is funded by the community, and continues the Sisters' tradition of protecting the vulnerable and marginalised. The Initiative was launched in 2016 and the Sisters have guaranteed funding until 2030.[8]

CSJB in the United States

[edit]
Building in Mendham, New Jersey

The Community expanded to the United States in 1874, following the donation of property by the family of the first American CSJB sister. Work was needed among German immigrants in New York's Lower East Side, and the community established a mother house on Stuyvesant Square at 233 E. 17th St. The American Mother House was eventually moved to Mendham, New Jersey in 1915. In 2007, two Sisters returned to Manhattan, opening a branch house at the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin on Times Square, but in 2018 were recalled to the mother house.[9]

The main convent at 82 West Main Street, Mendham, New Jersey, includes a retreat house for guests and also the community's historic church, all set in over 20 acres of land. The convent building was constructed as the Mother House of the American community in 1913. The sisters then closed down the Mother House at 233 E. 17th St. in Manhattan and moved permanently to Mendham in 1915. The Convent building was added to the American National Register of Historic Places (reference number 07000356) in 2007.[10] The architects of the main convent were Durr Freedley and William W. Cordingly. St Marguerite's Retreat House in Mendham, Built in 1908 in the 'Tudor Revival' style, was a home and school for girls until after World War II, and is now a working retreat house for all denominations. Its architects were James Layng Mills and John C. Greenleaf.[citation needed]

CSJB in India

[edit]

The Community no longer operates in the Indian sub-continent. Historically, however, there were CSJB houses and missions in India. Their story has been recorded by Valerie Bonham in a book entitled Sisters of the Raj: the Clewer Sisters in India.[11]

Character

[edit]

Apart from ministries of social aid and assistance, members of the order live a life of prayer, and operate retreat facilities as well as providing retreats and spiritual direction. In these endeavours, they are guided by the Augustinian Rule's emphasis on community spirit.

Literature

[edit]
  • Valerie Bonham, A Joyous Service: The Clewer Sisters and Their Work (2012) ISBN 9780957419704

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Chalice". V&A Collections. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  2. ^ Anglican Religious Communities Yearbook: 2004–2005. Norwich: Canterbury Press, 2003.
  3. ^ Historic England. "Convent of St John the Baptist (Grade II) (1319288)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  4. ^ Historic England. "1881 Chapel at Convent of St John the Baptist (Grade II*) (1380282)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  5. ^ See this article about the site.
  6. ^ "Dr. W. H. Hutchings." ' The Times (London, England), 8 January 1912; pg. 11; Issue 39789
  7. ^ Staley, V. (1908) The Catholic Religion. Oxford: A. R. Mowbray & Co.; p. vii (preface written in 1893)
  8. ^ "The Clewer Initiative". The Clewer Initiative. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  9. ^ "Monastics at Saint Mary's". Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  10. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 9 July 2010.
  11. ^ Book detailed here.
[edit]
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