Baccalaureate Wider Curriculum News & Events Contact the School Staff Vacancies Links
 |
Worth Abbey
Worth is an adventure in Christian living, an adventure which has at its heart a Community of Benedictine monks. Worth Abbey has been a Benedictine Monastery since 1933, in which year Abbot John Chapman of Downside bought the property, then called Paddockhurst, from Viscount Cowdray. The preparatory school for Downside was based at Worth until 1957 when Worth became independent of Downside Abbey. In 1959 the Senior School was started and Worth was raised to the status of an Abbey in 1965, electing Dom Victor Farwell as its first Abbot.
Worth draws its inspiration from the ancient Rule of St Benedict, adapting it to changing times. The monks maintain the traditional rhythm of prayer and prayerful reading, work and relaxation. They meet in the Church six times a day to sing God's praises.
In an effort to respond to the needs of the Church, Worth established a foundation in Peru in 1968. The monks gained enormously through living alongside the poor in the jungle and in the shanty towns of Lima. In 1983 a small ecumenical monastery was set up in East Dulwich. These smaller communities returned to Worth in 1990 to enrich monastic life here.
The Worth Abbey Lay Community, founded in 1971, has recently become independent and is now known as The Lay Community of St Benedict. As well as a local parish, Worth also runs a thriving Centre of Spirituality based at St Bruno's on the Worth campus. Christians of many traditions take part in the various courses and retreats which are put on throughout the year. The splendid Abbey Church is also the venue for many gatherings and ecumenical events. Many people join the monks in their prayer and work, helping to build up Worth as a Christian centre at the service of God and people.