The Order of St Anne
was founded in 1910 by Father Cecil Powell of the Society of St. John the Evangelist. However, in 1921 while changing trains in Chicago, two sisters met Fr. William Brewster Stoskopf the Rector at Ascension. He quickly convinced the sisters of the need for their ministry in Chicago and a house was then founded there. Mother Gabrielle was the first superior of the Chicago house. The sisters quickly took responsibility for teaching, altar work, visiting the sick, and preparing children for holy Communion. Baking and selling altar bread made the order self supporting. In 1932 the sisters began a small school for girls, which by 1952 had grown into a parochial school for the children of neighborhood families. Mother Mary Margaret served as the school’s first principal. The sisters have also been active in the Chicago north deanery of the ECW. Currently, the sisters minister to the Korin (Burmese) community in the Rogers Park neighborhood.
Original artwork designed and painted by the first superior Mother Ethelred. c. 1930's
Snap Shot From History – Helene Reinshuttle
A snap shot from the history ; Helene Reinshuttle , a former guest of the Order recently returned to the convent …after 80 years!
Mrs. Reinshuttle came to the convent as infant, left by her single mother who said she would return after finding a job. Helene’s mother returned but not for three years, during which Helene was in the continuous care of the Order.
Couple of months ago one of Helene’s children contacted us and asked whether his mother could visit the place she lived long time ago. So Helene and five of her family members (two sons,their spouses and a grand son) came to the convent on Saturday, August , 11, and we had supper together.
Helene could remember lot of things from the past and she was so happy to see the place she lived and she thanked the sisters . We had a letter from her recently.
