Our Alumni
Since our foundation in 1959 as the Southwark Ordination Course, St Augustine’s has had the great privilege of teaching and nurturing the formation of thousands of students and ordinands.
We are proud of and continue to value our alumni, who have taken their learning and understanding into their communities and their working lives. Many have even chosen to return to us to continue their studies.
Meet Bishop Sarah Mullally, St Augustine’s alumni
Before she was The Right Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Sarah Mullally was an ordinand studying part-time at St Augustine’s (then known as the South East Institute for Theological Education) from 1998 to 2001.
Being able to fit her studies around being a mother and working as a nurse meant that Sarah could embrace her own learning and formation. She cites her student experience as enabling her to effectively minister to those with differing theological positions.
Since being ordained in 2001, Sarah has become a beacon of leadership and spiritual guidance in the Church. Sarah is currently an Honorary Fellow of St Augustine’s and the college could not be more grateful for her ongoing support as an alumni.
Stories from St Augustine’s alumni
Over the last five decades, alumni of St Augustine’s have successfully completed their ordination training, been accepted as Lay Readers, or graduated with a degree in theology.
Here, a handful of our alumni kindly share their stories with us, reflecting on their experience as ordinands and where their journeys after ordination have led them.
Weekends at Wychcroft: Christine’s story
“One of the things I enjoyed most about my ordination training were weekends at Wychcroft. To me, it felt like our home base. Chris Archer and his team produced wonderful food, and ensured that the [...]
Memories of the Southwark Ordination Course: Cynthia’s story
Alumni share their memories of training for ordination on the Southwark Ordination Course (SOC); now known as St Augustine’s College of Theology. Lifelong friendships made “I have such happy memories of SOC. The Vote had [...]
Rural Retreats and changing attitudes to women priests: Gaynor’s story
After graduating St Augustine’s in 1990, Gaynor pursued her own interpretation of her calling – from establishing spiritual retreats to being the first woman priest in her small parish. “My self-supporting ministry started in fairly [...]
Finding friends, fellowship and a quiet confidence through ordination training: Dorris’s story
Dorris reflects just how her life has been shaped by her experience training with St Augustine’s (then known as the Southwark Ordination Course) in the mid-90s. I was amazed to be recommended for training after [...]
Gaining new insight by training for ordination part-time
Nicky trained for ordination part-time as they continued to work in the NHS. They have found that the knowledge gained from one area enriched and complemented their work in the other. “Training part-time is a [...]
Why be one thing when God is calling us to be two?
Chris decided to pursue ordination after a long and fruitful discernment process. After graduating in 2015, he is exploring how he can combine his calling as a minister and his passion for teaching. “It was [...]