Emily Ayckbowm

Emily Ayckbowm (1836–1900) was the founder and first mother superior of the Community of the Sisters of the Church. This Anglican order was founded in 1870.

Life She was the daughter of Mary Ann(e) born Hutchinson and the Rev. Frederick Ayckbowm, rector of Holy Trinity Church, Chester. He was of German descent and she was born in Heidelberg whilst her parents were visiting. Her mother died in 1842 and her father soon remarried, Charlotte, and she gained a devoted stepmother. In 1861 her married sister died and in 1862 her father died.

In 1864 she founded the very successful Church Extension Association which had a wide remit to do good works. She came to notice when she and her friend were commended for their voluntary work during an outbreak of cholera in Chester in 1866. In 1870 she founded the Community of the Sisters of the Church. She became the first novice of the order and she was "clothed" by the Reverend R.C.Kirkpatrick in the new parish of St Augustine's, Kilburn.