The Grand Priory of The United Kingdom consists of:
- The Priory of St Boniface
- The Priory of St George
- The Commandery of St Augustine
- The Commandery of St Vincent de Paul (USA)
The original Knights and Dames of the UK Grand Priory of the Sovereign Hospitaller Order of St John were first invested in Malta. These early members, scattered across the United Kingdom, conducted fundraising activities and projects locally, representing the Order within their communities. Despite their geographical dispersion, they gathered periodically for Chapter Meetings and Investiture ceremonies to welcome new Knights and Dames into the Order.
In the late 1970s, a significant milestone was achieved with the establishment of the Berkshire Commandery. This development allowed members from the counties of Berkshire and Oxfordshire to be recruited and invested locally, fostering a stronger regional presence for the Order. Three to four years later, the Commandery expanded its inclusivity by investing its first Dames. As the membership base grew steadily, the Berkshire Commandery was elevated to Priory status, signifying its enhanced role within the Order.
By the mid-1990s, membership had flourished to the point that the Berkshire Priory was divided into two distinct entities to better serve the local population. The Priory of St George was formed to cover Hampshire and parts of Berkshire, while the Priory of St Frideswide encompassed Oxfordshire and a smaller portion of Berkshire.
During this period, further expansion of the Order occurred within the UK. The Priory of St Boniface was established to serve London, and the Priory of St Martin was founded to cover Kent and Surrey. Additionally, the United Kingdom welcomed a number of international expatriate members, who were organised into the Priory of St Augustine. A separate Priory, St John’s, was also established in Belgravia, further solidifying the Order’s presence in the country.
As the Order grew, the need for streamlined governance became evident. In the late 1990s, the various priories were amalgamated to simplify administration. This restructuring resulted in the creation of the UK Grand Priory, which today comprises the Priory of St George (encompassing Berkshire, Hampshire, and Oxfordshire) and the Priory of St Boniface (serving London).
In 2023, the UK Grand Priory achieved yet another milestone with the initiation of a new Commandery in Kent, further strengthening the Order’s reach and influence. The Commandery of St Augustine, initially operating as a subsidiary of the Priory of St Boniface, has also been tasked with expanding the Grand Priory’s outreach efforts.
Beyond its activities within the United Kingdom, the UK Grand Priory holds an important international role by providing oversight and governance to the Commandery of St Vincent de Paul in the United States, ensuring the values and mission of the Order are upheld across borders.
Through these developments, the UK Grand Priory continues to honour its heritage while adapting to the needs of the modern era, remaining steadfast in its commitment to faith, service, and community.
Hospitaller activities
The United Kingdom Grand Priory has been proud to support a number of local and international initiatives over many years. In general, this support has been given by the way of equipment provisions or service rather than monetary donations. The UK Grand Priory membership also supports numerous good causes through personal donations, fundraising and service within their local community.
Continuing our Hospitaller tradition, The Sovereign Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem is committed to continued humanitarian and charitable work. The Knights and Dames of the Order, along with many volunteers work hard to raise and distribute aid around the world, to ease the suffering of the sick, the poor, and the disenfranchised. By organising many and varied charity events, the Order raises significant funds which it donates to worthy causes and campaigns in the UK and worldwide through financial donation and the purchase of much needed medicines, medical supplies and other items that make a significant difference to the lives of those in need. An example of some of the donations made in recent years from the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom are:
- Construction of a railway carriage playroom for a children’s hospice in Oxford
- Donation of 60 hospital beds and other ward furniture to hospitals in Haiti
- Donation of Medical equipment and 40 beds to a hospital in Macedonia
- Donation of telephone equipment and furniture to the Samaritans
- Donation of call centre telephone equipment to Prostate Cancer UK
- Cash donation to the UK Air Ambulance
- Donation of incubators and beds to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital, Gambia
- Donation of various equipment to orphanages in Ukraine
- Donation of electronic equipment to the Royal Berkshire Hospital special needs school
- Donation of a sailing boat for use by under privileged children at the Docklands Centre, London
- Donation of maternity equipment to a clinic in the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Delivery of food to The Camberley All Night Cafe outreach programme
- Transportation of a container of various furniture, equipment and books from Lord Harris Court institution to The Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, The Gambia
News from the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom
- Charity Sleep Out raises £700 for Worthy Charity
- St George’s Priory (UK) Quiz Night: A joyful evening of fellowship and fundraising
- Supporting Children in Need: A Gift from the UK to Ukraine on International Children’s Day
- Helping to tackle homelessness and poverty
- Helping the needy at Christmas time
- St. Augustine’s Commandery Supports Maidstone Homeless Care
- Grand Priory of the UK Investiture of new Knights and Dames
- UK Priory of St Boniface Supports Gaddesden Place Riding for the Disabled Centre
- UK Priory of St George Hosts Successful Golf Day for Charity
