Statue of Our Lady (1916)
At one time, there were many sisters of the Society of St Margaret of East Grinstead who served this and neighbouring parishes. This image of Our Lady and Child reminds us of this link.
This statue, at the entranceway to the Lady Chapel was bought in London by one of the sisters, Sister Marion – at the insistence of Miss Elizabeth Sanders.
A pair of small silver candlesticks was provided by members of the congregation who brought silver trinkets, rings and other items to be melted down.
These candles now stand alongside another image of Mary here, Our Lady of Walsingham, donated by faithful pilgrims to the Shrine. Members of the congregation continue to make pilgrimage there today.
The Society of St Margaret
The Society of St Margaret East Grinstead, was founded in 1854 by the Revd. J.M. Neale as a community of women who would care for the sick and the poor.
It started with two women, Mother Ann being the first Mother Superior. From that humble beginning, the work grew, until it included several schools, orphanages and hospitals.
Gradually they extended their work and founded schools and orphanages in other countries, notably in South Africa, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and the U.S.A.
It also undertook parish work at home, and with great vision the then Vicars of Roath and S. Mary’s invited the Community to Cardiff.
An orphanage was established in Waterloo Gardens and in 1877 Sister Nesta (below) began work in St Columba’s district of Splott, starting a tradition which was to continue until 1965.
The demands made upon the Sisters of the Community in other directions meant that their parish work had to come to an end.
St Saviour’s and St German’s were the last two parishes to receive the ministry of the Sisters, and in 1965, they, too, had to make the sacrifice for the sake of the Community’s wider work.
South Cardiff Ministry Area 