Emily Ayckbowm
Emily Ayckbowm was the founder and first mother superior of the Community of the Sisters of the Church. This Anglican order was founded in 1870.Life
She was the daughter of the Rev. Frederick Ayckbowm, rector of Holy Trinity Church, Chester. He was of German descent and she was born in Heidelberg whilst her parents were visiting.
She first came to notice in the 1860s when she and her friend were commended for their voluntary work during an outbreak of Cholera in Chester. In 1864 she founded the very successful Church Extension Association which had a wide remit to do good works. In 1870 she founded the Community of the Sisters of the Church.
Whilst she was the Mother Superior the community found that it had gathered a number of critics. One of the patrons, Archbishop Edward White Benson, tried to intercede but Ayckbowm distrusted his views and he had little trust in her. She rejected his help. This is thought to be poor judgement by Ayckbowm, she removed him from their literature and it is judged that the community's reputation was reduced.
