Ursuline Communities
“My last word to you is that you should live in harmony united together all of one mind and heart.”
Forest Gate
Over the last ten years the Ursulines have been discerning their future. We evaluated the location of our communities, our ministries and our age profile. As we realistically faced the future we decided to close houses and to live nearer to each other.
Many sisters live north of the river Thames in Forest Gate and Wanstead.
Forest Gate is the oldest community within the English Province. It was founded in 1862 by the Ursulines who came from Tildonk in Belgium.
When Lourdes, the Ursuline Care Home in Westgate-On-Sea, closed in September 2021 the sisters moved to Chestnut Manor Care Home Wanstead. They enjoy visits from Ursulines, family members and friends.
Wanstead
South Thames community
The remaining sisters live in Ilford, Wimbledon, Kent and Wythenshawe
The Greenwich community was founded in 1877 by the exiled sisters from Duderstadt, Hanover. Following the departure of many of the German sisters who went to Australia to found communities and schools, Ursulines from Gravelines in France came to replace them. The Greenwich community have now moved to Ilford following the closure of Greenwich in October 2023.
The Wimbledon school and community was founded from Forest Gate in 1892.
The Ursuline community and school was founded in Westgate, Kent by exiled sisters from Boulogne in 1904.
The Ursulines arrived in Wythenshawe in 1994. This community, along with Shotton and Lancaster, was founded to support the local community.
“May the strength and true consolation of the Holy Spirit be with you all, so that you can sustain and carry out vigorously and faithfully the charge laid upon you.”