John Henry Newman founds the first Oratory in the English-speaking world at Maryvale

Background. Newman, having been received into the Catholic Church in 1845, returned to England as an Oratorian at the close of 1847. He resided first at Maryvale, near Old Oscott. The Oratorians are distinct from religious institutes or monasteries because they commit to membership in a particular, independent, self-governing local community without taking vows. This arrangement was created by Philip Neri.

Foundation of the Oratory. Saint John Henry Newman founded the first Oratory in the English-speaking world by establishing the Birmingham Oratory on 2 February 1848. The foundation was initially located at Old Oscott, which Newman renamed Maryvale after the Oratory church in Rome, Santa Maria in Vallicella. This location later became the site of the Maryvale Institute, a college of Theology, Philosophy and Religious Education.

Nature of the Oratory. The Oratory is an independent, self-governing local community, usually named for its location, such as the Birmingham Oratory. Unlike religious institutes or monasteries, members do not take vows but commit to membership in this particular community. This innovative arrangement was created by Philip Neri and is governed by General Statutes, which may be modified by representatives gathering every six years in a Congresso Generale.