The Fellowship of St Ethelwold was founded in 1971 by Dorothea Pickering, a visionary Christian who dedicated her life to furthering understanding between people of different faith traditions. Whilst drawing on its Christian roots, it is open to the wisdom and practices of other traditions. The work of the Fellowship is based in St Ethelwold's House, a beautiful building in the centre of Abingdon, dating back to the 14th century with a lovely garden leading down to the River Thames.

The Fellowship is a Registered Charity and there are four Trustees who are responsible for ensuring that the house and garden are maintained and operated in accordance with the original vision of the founder. The day to day management of St Ethelwold's House is under the direction of the House Manager.

Funding

Income is largely obtained from the bed and breakfast accommodation. Additional income is derived from retreats and from the rental of the sanctuary and function rooms for a range of social and spiritual activities. The Trust is not funded by any outside body.

Friends of St Ethelwold's House

People who wish to support the work of St Ethelwold's are invited to become Friends. Friends can drop in and use the Sanctuary (when available) and are invited to attend a gathering four times a year to coincide with the quarter festivals in February, May, August and November. These gatherings give the opportunity for meditation, personal sharing, mutual support and information about the life of St Ethelwold's. Subscription is £25 a year.