Caroline Ann Rowland

Caroline Ann Rowland (1852–1921) was a Roman Catholic nun in the Order of St Ursula (religious name Sister/Mother Mary Cordula). In 1882 she founded St Ursula's College in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia.

Early life Caroline Ann Rowland was born on 31 December 1852 at Kentish Town, London, England. She was the daughter of railway clerk George Rowland and his wife Caroline Agnes (née Reeves). In Greenwich the order was assisted by Capuchin priest Father Elzear Torreggiani.

In 1879 Torreggiani was appointed Bishop of Armidale and he invited the Ursulines at Greenwich to establish their order in New South Wales. In 1882 Sister Mary Cordula and nine other nuns undertook a 3-month voyage to Sydney, where they attended the opening ceremony of St Mary's Cathedral on 8 September, after which they travelled overland to Armidale where they established their first convent and school. From there the order extended into other towns of New South Wales and Queensland.

She was also known as artist, painting many religious pictures and many illuminated manuscripts. One of her paintings was of the ship Duchess of Edinburgh on which she immigrated to Australia.

She was broadminded and maintained friendly relationships with the wider community.

Later life In October 1920 Mother Mary Cordula began to develop paralysis. On medical advice she entered Lewisham Hospital, where she was cared for by the Little Company of Mary. After four months she died in Lewisham Hospital on the morning of Friday 11 March 1921 in her 69th year of life and her 48th year of her religious profession.

Her funeral took place at Armidale on Sunday 13 March 1921.