Our Lady of England Priory facts for kids
The Our Lady of England Priory in Storrington, West Sussex, England is a historic place that was once home to Roman Catholic priests. These priests belonged to a group called the Canons Regular of Prémontré. They are also known as 'Premonstratensians' because their order started in Prémontré, France, in 1121. Another name for these priests is 'Norbertines', named after Norbert of Xanten, who founded their order. Because they wear white habits, people sometimes call them 'White Canons'. These priests follow a set of rules known as the Rule of St Augustine.
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History of the Priory
How the Priory Started
A Premonstratensian priory was first opened in Storrington in 1888. The priests who started it had come from France in 1882. The land for the Priory was given by Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 15th Duke of Norfolk, a very important person at the time. The first stone for the Priory Church was laid in 1902 by Cardinal Bourne, who was the Archbishop of Southwark.
Building the Church
The Church was designed by Edward Goldie. It was built using brick with stone decorations and was finished in 1904. Inside the Church, there is a special place called the Shrine to Our Lady of England. The statue at this shrine was created by an Austrian artist named Ferdinand Stueflesser.
Notable People at the Priory
The first leader, or Prior, of Storrington Priory was a French White Canon named Father Xavier de Fourvière. He was born Albert Rieux in 1853 in a French village called Robion. Father Xavier de Fourvière was one of many French priests who moved from France in the early 1900s. This happened because the French government made new laws that separated the Church from the State. He arrived in Storrington in 1903.
Father Xavier de Fourvière was a well-known writer, poet, and a very good speaker. He was part of a famous group called "Félibrige" led by Frédéric Mistral. This group worked to keep the Provençal language alive. Father de Fourvière often preached at the church of Our Lady of France in Leicester Square, London. He became ill there in May 1912 and returned to France, hoping to get better in the sun. However, he passed away in October 1912 and is buried in his hometown of Robion.
The famous poet Francis Thompson also stayed at the Priory for almost two years. He was brought there by Wilfrid and Alice Meynell to help him recover from a difficult illness. During his time there, he wrote the poem To Daisy. Another well-known writer, Hilaire Belloc, visited the Priory and wrote the poem On Courtesy on May 17, 1908.
The Priory Today
The original order of priests left the Priory in the early 2010s after more than 130 years. Today, the Chemin Neuf Community uses the buildings. The Church still owns the property, and the Chemin Neuf Community has permission to use it. This community holds retreats and various programs at the Priory, continuing its spiritual purpose.
