Who We Are and What We Do

St Antony’s Priory, in Durham, is a Christian spirituality centre, operated by the Society of the Sacred Mission (SSM), an Anglican Religious Order founded by Fr Herbert Kelly in 1893, which is perhaps best known in connection with Kelham Theological College (1903-1972).

The Society exists to serve the Church, by increasing the number of those ‘who give their lives to the Divine Service’, labouring for ‘the Conversion and Perfection of Souls’, and ‘the cultivation of Divine Science’.

Today, we seek to advance those aims by promoting vocation, nurturing faith and spirituality, and encouraging theological learning.

The Priory offers spiritual accompaniment and training for spiritual directors, hospitality for groups and individuals, and a varying programme of other activities.

There is a full timetable of weekday and Sunday services in the chapel (which members of the public are also very welcome to attend). Our worship is in the catholic tradition of the Church of England, and includes significant periods of silent prayer.

Overnight accommodation is available in the Cottage guesthouse, which has four self-catering rooms available for people wishing to spend a few days on retreat.

Hospitality

Retreat accommodation • Quiet Days for groups and individuals •  Meeting rooms • Spiritual Direction

Learning

Training and ongoing support for spiritual directors • Theological library • Courses in the study of spirituality (in development)

Religious Life

Regular services in the Chapel • Prayer and Meditation • Resources to enable engagement with Anglican religious life (in development)