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The Royal Foundation of St Katharine

Written by Zara Mahmood Digital Assistant at LAH

LAH is always looking to visit organisations who have a passion to make a difference and change communities and peoples lives. We had a chance to visit The Royal Foundation of St Katharine and talk to Kevin McCullough, community engagement lead, to hear more about the rich history St Katharine’s has of taking care of the most vulnerable people in days gone by and the fantastic work that the organisation is currently doing working with people in the Limehouse community today.

St Katharine of Alexandria was a saint who was of noble birth, highly educated and was devoted to her Christain faith. She supported the lives of the poor and the ill and was known to speak out for the rights of the needy and also had refused the proposal of the Emperor Maxentius who subjugated her to torture until she was martyred.

“The Royal Foundation of St Katharine is one of the oldest religious charities in Great Britain, with a history spanning 900 years.” ~ The Royal Foundation of St katharine

The Royal Foundation of St katharines dates back to 1147 and was founded by Queen Matilda who created “her hospital next to the Tower of London” as a small community service of hospitality and worship to treat the poor and ill in a small chapel next to the docks. 

“It began with thirteen poor persons, a Master, 3 brethren who were priests, three sisters who were nuns and six poor people who were looked after in the nave of the church” ~ The Royal Foundation of St katharine

A Bill was presented to parliament in 1824 to destroy the church and create St. Katharine Dock. As there was a large community of 3000 residents who were in need of the church which also housed many people. There was a protest by the residents as the wider public opposed the bill.

“Originally known as St katharine’s by the Tower, it served as a mediaeval church, hospital and centre of St katharine’s Precinct, a ‘liberty’ housing over three thousand people along with its own courts, factories, breweries and prisons”  ~ The Royal Foundation of St katharine

The bill failed but was then later passed in 1825. St Katharine’s was then moved to Regents park where it was rebuilt in a similar fashion in order to encapsulate the ambiance that was initially created in the first build.

“The function of the Foundation changed too. It provided “grace and favour” residences for retired clergy and widows of clergy.”  ~ The Royal Foundation of St Katharine

The church later became badly damaged during the second world war and was re-established as The Royal Foundation of St katharine and returned to its original home.

The Royal Foundation of St. Katharine event. Pictures by Daniel Leal-Olivas

“In 1948, after 123 years in Regent’s Park, Queen Mary moved the Foundation back to East London to the site of St. James Ratcliffe Church which had been bombed in the Second World War. 

Today the Royal Foundation of St Katharine’s is “an urban oasis” working to transform lives through “hospitality, worship and service”. The beautiful surroundings include a space for worship, retreats and conferences as well as a Yurt cafe and community hub, space for social entrepreneurs and artists made from shipping containers and the John Scurr Community centre.

  The community hub is a hive of activity with a diverse programme including parent and toddler groups,  ESOL language training for refugees, drama classes for people with learning disabilities and a weekly gardening club in the surrounding community garden space.

Classical concerts are held in the chapel and  jazz,folk and contemporary music are held in the Yurt cafe on Thursdays and Friday nights.

During Covid the foundation supported the Limehouse Aid group to start a food bank at a local Primary School in Limehouse where some 58 families receive weekly support.

The open reflective day retreats offered at St. Katharine’s are for people of all faiths or those just wanting a quiet space for the day for quiet reflection. The ambiance aids a sense of calm in the middle of a busy city.

In the future the Foundation hopes to expand their community projects by running wellbeing walks as well as projects in the newly refurbished John Scurr Community Centre working with the elderly, arts for health and well-being and family activities.

Overall the Royal Foundation of St Katharine’s has always focused on community engagement and service since its birth. While social prescribing has been a more recent innovation it is amazing to see organisations that have always focused on the wellbeing of the community. The Foundation’s core focus has for hundreds of years been aligned with tackling poverty and ill- health, community development and advocacy. With its beautiful location hidden tucked away in the middle of a bustling city, it is the perfect place to gather your thoughts and rejuvenate from busy lives while also working effectively to meet the needs of the community.

  

For more information:

www.rfsk.org.uk

Email: retreats@rfsk.org.uk

Tel: 0300 111 1147

 

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