Alice Ingham
Encyclopedia
Alice Ingham was a Roman Catholic nun and missionary
. She founded the Franciscan order of Sisters of St. Joseph's Society for Foreign Missions.
and after an elementary education went to work in a woolen mill, after which she was apprenticed to her father, a draper based in Yorkshire Street. By 1861 she was running the family business, which was then called "Ingham's Caps and Confectionery". She was known locally for her charitable work.
Her father died in 1865 and, after receiving advice and encouragement from a Franciscan
priest, she started a small religious and charitable organisation of women in 1871. She became a lay member of the Franciscan order in 1872. As the community grew, she opened a second shop on nearby John Street.
In 1878, Herbert Vaughan, then Bishop of Salford
, suggested that Ingham's group take on domestic duties at St Joseph's Foreign Missionary College, in Mill Hill
, London
. Although some of the women preferred to continue with their local welfare work, the shops were sold and the community moved to London.
In 1883 Ingham and eleven of her congregation took temporary vows, and her congregation became established as the "Sisters of St. Joseph's Society for Foreign Missions".
In 1884 she took her full vows. She was given the name "Mother Mary Francis". In 1885 five of the sisters went as missionaries to Borneo and Kenya
.
In 1886 the sisters moved back to Lancashire, first running the Children's Rescue and Protection Society at Ardwick Hall
and moving to Blackburn in 1888.
Ingham died in 1890. Today the Sisters of St. Joseph run homes at Patricraft, Mill Hill, Blackburn, Freshfield
, Waterford
, Cork
, Rozendaal
and various stations in Borneo.
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
. She founded the Franciscan order of Sisters of St. Joseph's Society for Foreign Missions.
Biography
She was born in RochdaleRochdale
Rochdale is a large market town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amongst the foothills of the Pennines on the River Roch, north-northwest of Oldham, and north-northeast of the city of Manchester. Rochdale is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the Metropolitan...
and after an elementary education went to work in a woolen mill, after which she was apprenticed to her father, a draper based in Yorkshire Street. By 1861 she was running the family business, which was then called "Ingham's Caps and Confectionery". She was known locally for her charitable work.
Her father died in 1865 and, after receiving advice and encouragement from a Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
priest, she started a small religious and charitable organisation of women in 1871. She became a lay member of the Franciscan order in 1872. As the community grew, she opened a second shop on nearby John Street.
In 1878, Herbert Vaughan, then Bishop of Salford
City of Salford
The City of Salford is a city and metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. It is named after its largest settlement, Salford, but covers a far larger area which includes the towns of Eccles, Swinton-Pendlebury, Walkden and Irlam which apart from Irlam each have a population of over...
, suggested that Ingham's group take on domestic duties at St Joseph's Foreign Missionary College, in Mill Hill
Mill Hill
Mill Hill is a place in the London Borough of Barnet. It is a suburb situated 9 miles north west of Charing Cross. Mill Hill was in the historic county of Middlesex until it was absorbed by London...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Although some of the women preferred to continue with their local welfare work, the shops were sold and the community moved to London.
In 1883 Ingham and eleven of her congregation took temporary vows, and her congregation became established as the "Sisters of St. Joseph's Society for Foreign Missions".
In 1884 she took her full vows. She was given the name "Mother Mary Francis". In 1885 five of the sisters went as missionaries to Borneo and Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
.
In 1886 the sisters moved back to Lancashire, first running the Children's Rescue and Protection Society at Ardwick Hall
Ardwick Hall
Ardwick Hall was the home of linen merchant Robert Hyde, uncle to British textile mill owner Samuel Greg. It was located in Manchester. A Great Universal Stores warehouse now stands on the spot....
and moving to Blackburn in 1888.
Ingham died in 1890. Today the Sisters of St. Joseph run homes at Patricraft, Mill Hill, Blackburn, Freshfield
Freshfield
Freshfield is an area of Formby, in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside, England, situated at the northern end of the town. It has no local political distinction or representation and is included as part of the two council wards which make up Formby , nor is it separated in any physical...
, Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
, Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Rozendaal
Rozendaal
Rozendaal is a municipality and a town in the eastern Netherlands, in the province of Gelderland.The town is next to Arnhem and Velp.It's known for the Castle of Rozendaal and its bedriegertjes....
and various stations in Borneo.