The Herbert Kelly Institute for Anglican Religious Life
Since the mid-19th century Anglican religious life has flourished in many forms and made a rich, if somewhat hidden, contribution to the life of the Anglican Churches throughout the world. Though it may be declining within the Church of England, the religious life nevertheless represents a universal calling that continues to inspire people today – not only within the Church but beyond it too.
With this in mind, we are establishing an Institute for Anglican Religious Life at St Antony’s Priory. This will not only preserve the legacy of Anglican religious life, but also provide the resources that will help to inform its future.
Aims and Objectives
Our starting point is the need to ensure the preservation of the legacy of Anglican religious communities, at this critical juncture in the life of our Church. The religious life represents a living tradition and a universal calling, but it is in decline. We therefore see the Institute as having a role to play in the future development of Anglican religious life, as well as being a resource for the growth of Christian spirituality more widely.
- Curating a research hub for the archives of as many Anglican religious orders as possible, as well as supporting the creation of detailed catalogues, and developing resources to help communities secure their archive collections.
- Providing information about the history of Anglican religious life, as well as facilitating the study of, and developing research projects and publications relating to Herbert Kelly, traditional Anglican Religious Orders, and new expressions of religious life.
- Hosting speaker events and other activities relating to Anglican Religious life and the wider context over last 150 years, and its significance for the future in relation to the Church today.
- Developing material for study programmes in Christian spirituality (such as a ‘school for the Lord’s service’, based on the Rule of St Benedict).
Development
During the course of 2022-23 we carried out extnesive project development work, to confirm the viability and need for such an initiative. This has involved a number of strands, including widespread consultation, a research project within the SSM archives and the development of the SSM archive catalogue. One of the most important elements of this exercise has been to gather information about Anglican religious communities and their archive collections. In doing so, we have consulted with the communities themselves and begun the task of mapping the present whereabouts and condition of their archives.
Reports
Scoping Exercise Report, 2022.
Development Proposals, 2023.
Next Steps
With the continuing support of the Trustees of SSM we are now in a position to proceed to the formal establishment of the Institute which will entail further networking with Anglican religious communities, building relationships with other relevant organisations and developing resources to both support the custodians of collections and also to make the riches of Anglican religious life more widely known. For more information contact: scholastica.jacob@stantonyspriory.org
Feedback
“What providential timing! Your project feels like an unexpected legacy, and we have just embarked on bringing order to our community archives.”
“Thank you for your letter which arrived just in the nick of time. We are about to downsize and are in the process of disposing of a large percentage of our effects. I have tried various avenues for disposing of our archives and each enquiry has led to a dead end. I shall follow this project with the greatest interest.”
“I will be very interested in hearing of further work in this and helping by completing your survey. We have just finished work with a very accomplished Archivist to get our documents etc., into good order.”
“It sounds really interesting and it is surely the right time for something like this. I’d really like to keep in touch with what’s happening.”
“Our interest is in the living tradition and strengthening the future of the religious life in the Church of England. We would be very interested in partnering with St Antony’s in this work. all good wishes for this timely venture.”
“How exciting to discuss your admirable proposal. I so hope it can happen: it very much needs to be done.”
“That sounds a very worthwhile and exciting venture and, for us, very timely! Sadly, we shall be moving (…) and need to give thought to our archives.”
“I have for many years wanted to see a research centre for Anglican religious life. I am particularly concerned about the loss of information to women’s studies, as more and more communities are ageing and reduced in numbers.”