OUR HISTORY - Development After Foundation

Communities of Sisters spread rapidly throughout the South of France till the Revolution in 1789. By 1791 Sisters could no longer wear a habit, live in community or teach in schools and in 1792 all Religious Congregations in France were abolished. Some of the Sisters were imprisoned, at least five were martyred.

The year 1808 saw a re-founding under the leadership of Mother St John Fontbonne, who was in prison for eight months during the Revolution and narrowly escaped the guillotine. She witnessed the establishment of at least 254 houses with over 3000 Sisters before her death in 1843.

In 1833 four communities in the Annecy Diocese joined with Sisters from Pignerol in Italy to become The Sisters of St Joseph of Annecy. From Annecy the Sisters went to India and from there came to England in 1864.