Imagine a time long before cars filled the streets of Cowley. Our story begins in Church Cowley. It was a village separated from Oxford by fields. Today, we stand in a busy suburb. But the echoes of the past still linger.
Church Cowley holds a special place in Anglo-Catholic history. It became a rallying point for renewal in Britain and its Empire. This happened thanks to the Society of St John the Evangelist. They were also known as the Cowley Fathers.
In 1866, the Anglo-Catholic community faced significant losses. John Keble and John Mason Neale died. Gerard Manley Hopkins joined the Roman Catholic Church. But hope was rekindled on December 27th of that year. Richard Meux Benson, Charles Chapman Grafton, and Simeon Wilberforce O’Neill established the Society of St John the Evangelist. It became the first stable male monastic community since the Reformation.
The Cowley Fathers gained Episcopal approval. Samuel Wilberforce, a Bishop, supported their work. Benson served as Father Superior. He also ministered to his local community. The monastery chapel’s bell rang out daily. Its shrill sound marked the rhythm of life.
Overseas mission was vital to the Cowley Fathers. By 1900, they had established mission houses and churches in various locations. These included Bombay, Poona, Cape Town, and Cambridge, Massachusetts. They also worked in Canada.
The Society of St John the Evangelist faced challenges and changes. Robert Page succeeded Benson as Superior General in 1890. He guided the SSJE for six decades. The Society resisted heterodoxy in India. It contributed to wartime ministry during 1914-18. The Cowley Fathers became a leading force in the Anglo-Catholic Congress Movement.
During the 1960s, the Society experienced decline. The mother house at Church Cowley was abandoned. The SSJE subdivided into smaller houses. Eventually, closure became inevitable. The Fellowship of St John Trust Association continued to distribute the remaining funds.
Today, St Stephen’s House occupies the Cowley site. It includes a church. St Edward’s House is now part of Westminster School. The American branch of the Society still operates in Cambridge, Mass. The Cowley Project preserves the Society’s history.
The legacy of the Cowley Fathers endures. Their commitment to mission and community shaped Anglo-Catholicism. Their story reminds us of faith. It also shows dedication and service. As you explore Church Cowley, remember the Cowley Fathers. Their work made a lasting impact.