History of CSJB
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PictureHarriet Monsell, foundress of of CSJB
The Community of St. John Baptist was founded in England in 1852 by Canon Thomas Thelluson Carter and Harriet O'Brien Monsell, the widow of a clergyman. The Sisters' original work, the Clewer House of Mercy, took in "fallen women" - prostitutes and other destitute women from the streets, caring for them and teaching them skills to earn a living. Soon the Sisters were running orphanages, schools, convalescent hospitals, soup kitchens, homes for working girls, and a church needlework business.
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Canon Thomas Thelluson Carter, co-founder and Warden of CSJB
Important as the work was, it was not the center of the founders' vision. Canon Carter and Mother Harriet envisioned a blend of the active and contemplative life.

The heart of the Community was, and is, the life of prayer. The Sisters' daily lives included Eucharist, the Divine Office throughout the day, and private prayer and meditation.
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The CSJB Mother House in Clewer, England in the 1880s
PictureSister Helen Margaret, foundress of CSJB in America
The CSJB Sisters came to the United States in 1874 through the generosity of the Folsom family of New York. Helen Stuyvesant Folsom joined the Community in 1871 and became Sr. Helen Margaret. The Folsoms donated their former home on the Lower East Side of Manhattan to become the first St. John Baptist House. ​​​
​Three years later, the Community built their first convent on Stuyvesant Square in New York City. From this base, the Sisters worked with immigrants through the Holy Cross Mission, with women from the streets through the Midnight Mission. They also founded schools, convalescent hospitals, orphanages, Holy Cross Church, and summer programs in the countryside for inner city mothers and their children.

In 1900 the Community bought land in Mendham, New Jersey and in 1908 St. Marguerite's orphanage was built there. A new convent followed in 1915, and the St. John Baptist School moved from New York City to Mendham
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Holy Cross House at the corner of 4th St. and Ave. C in New York City, where the CSJB Sisters ministered to the residents of the Lower East Side. Holy Cross Church, next to the House, was founded by the CSJB Sisters.
PictureCSJB Sisters in Mendham in 1918
Changes in society led the Community to shift its focus from large institutional works to a more flexible ministry. The orphanage became a retreat house. The school closed in 1983 and became a drug and alcohol treatment center for teenagers. As we closed the big works, the Sisters transformed the convent and grounds into a place of spiritual retreat. Over 2,000 visitors from all over the world seek prayer and renewal at the convent and the retreat house ever year. The work changes, but the spirit of the Community continues to call people to "prepare the way of the Lord."
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PictureThe CSJB Convent in Mendham, NJ, built in 1915.

"He must increase,

I must decrease"

(John 3:30)
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, YOU MAY ORDER VALERIE BONHAM'S NEW BOOK ON THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY, THE SECOND SPRING, BY CLICKING THE IMAGE BELOW:
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, YOU MAY ORDER VALERIE BONHAM'S NEW BOOK ON THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY, LIVING STONES, BY CLICKING THE IMAGE BELOW:
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH COMMUNITY OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, YOU MAY ORDER VALERIE BONHAM'S BOOK, A JOYOUS SERVICE BY CLICKING THE IMAGE BELOW:
To order Valerie's other books on CSJB, A Place in Life:  The Clewer House of Mercy 1849-83, and Sisters of the Raj: The Clewer Sisters in India please click on the images below or contact Sister Pamela.