The Ursulines of Jesus
After Father Lockhart had left Kingsland, a succession of priests followed, who continued to minister faithfully to the people of the parish. Monsignor Howlett (1894-1905) is best remembered for his interest in the children of the parish and the school. It was he who invited the order of nuns, called the Ursulines of Jesus, to come to take care of the schools in the parish: one for boys, one for girls and an infants’ school.
The Ursulines of Jesus had originated in France in the aftermath of the French Revolution. They arrived in Kingsland, the first parish in which they had worked in England, on 28 December 1894. They took over the care of the school, which opened under their leadership, on 7 January 1895 with 178 pupils. Over the years the sisters continued to teach, to conduct Saturday school and to instruct converts in the parish. The sisters left Kingsland in 1958, as the house in which they lived was in bad repair and was later demolished. They moved to 11 Amhurst Park, Stamford Hill, from where they continued their mission in Kingsland.
In 1977 Canon Kay, the parish priest at the time, invited the sisters back to the parish and they moved into 8 King Henry’s Walk, which had been renovated and extended by volunteers in the parish. They have continued to do valuable work in the parish, supporting the priests in their work, acting as catechists, visiting the sick and elderly and teaching in parish schools. They have now worked in Kingsland for 109 years. Long may they continue their work with us!
The Ursuline Sisters & teachers on the staff of the church school in 1962
Departure of Fr Lockhart / A New Church, pt I
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